Hey guys... finally selling off my 4.7L Jeep Grand Cherokee and stepping into my first Diesel to pull my rockcrawler, and wakeboard boat. Obviously have a LOT of questions!

I am sold on the Dodge Cummins, and have been looking at the 2002-2004 years. My only real requirements are 4 Door, auto tranny, and Short Bed.

Anything to be aware of in the range of years I am looking at?
Is there any difference in the 4 door bodies? Quad Cab vs. Crew Cab?
I am fairly mechanically inclined, but know nothing about diesels... what are the main things I should be looking for on an inspection and test drive?
I was looking for a 4WD, just because I've always had 4WD vehicles, but not sure if I need it, or what the benefits or drawbacks would be between the two (maintenance, known tcase reliability issues, gas mileage, etc...) All towing would be dry... launching my 21ft boat, would always be on concrete ramps. I do drive in the snow during the winters about 4 times a month.

I did find one locally that peaked my interest. It's at a dealer, but I have a friend that works there who can get me a rock bottom price, and a little inside knowledge about the history of the vehicle. He gave me a factory build sheet for it.. here are a few specs (if any of this stuff matters):

2004 2500 Short Bed with 40k miles
No side air bags (CGS)
8001-9000# GVWR & Hyd. Brake
Quad Cab (Full rear doors)/sport utility 4 Dr.
5.9 I6 CYL High Output Turbo Diesel (ETH)
Assembled in Saltillo, Mexico Feb 2004
4 spd 48RE auto tranny
Preferred Package 2TG and 2UG
Trailer Tow Group
Lock-up convertor
3.73 gears in a 11.50 rear end with "anti-spin diff" (is that a track-lock?)
Power trailer tow mirrors, fold-away
Keyless entry, power locks, windows, driver seat.
Aux tranny cooler
Heavy duty engine cooling, shocks
17" chrome clad steel wheels

Sticker on it is like $24k.. single owner from texas. body looks ok. dealer dropped in a bedliner to cover up bed scratches. other than that, a few dings here and there. it's that pearl maroon color, which I think is horrible, but if I can get a deal on it, I don't care.

Would love to hear some opinions on this specific rig, and some advice on what to look for. Not in a huge hurry, so I can be a little bit picky, and wait around for the perfect rig (4wd vs. 2wd, color, options, etc...)

Availability in SoCal is pretty low, so I may have to travel to find one. These two on eBay are what I think I am looking for as far as options go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...spagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...spagenameZWDVW

Can't wait to finally get a Cummins!

 

welcome to DF... great choice on a dodge... you'll love the CTD motor. The only thing I'd say to have a look at on the '04 truck would be the label on the DS of the valve cover. see if it's a 305 hp motor or a 325. I'd look for a 325 myself, better starting point for mods. are you looking for a 2x4 or 4x4? if they're asking 24k and you can get a rock bottom price on it (closer to wholesale bluebook) I'd go for it and damn the color.

post some pics when you get one.

 

Thanks!

Check what I wrote above regarding 4wd. I am not really decided on the 4x2 vs. 4x4... I'd like the 4x4, but I'm not convinced that I REALLY need it. I've heard some people tell me towing is better with 4x4, and then other people tell me the opposite.

I'll check the HP rating of the motor.

 

I agree with steve.

getting a 4x4 will help out when you start to get into certian situations, however one thing you need to remember is the engine tips the scale at close to 1000 pounds dry. the truck will pull a tree down and not even break a sweat, however the front end will sink very quick if you get into some soft stuff.

other than that this truck will pull your boat and rock crawler like theres nothing behind it.

 

I know you don't want to think about this now, but I've always been told that resale value is much better on a 4wd than it is on a 2wd. Regardless, I kinda like the 4wd.

If your not in a huge rush, I'd hunt around for a color that you really kinda like. Even though you might get a deal on a truck, when your writing a check every month for that "Butt Ugly" truck in the drive it WILL be harder to write. I'd get a trruck that I love from the jump. Again, just my opinion.

I also think you'll be pleased as punch with the true 4 door over the quad cab. Much roomier and if you're comming from a roomy Cherokee then you might miss the extra room inside. Just a heads up for ya.

Oh yeah ...[sm=welcomesign.gif]

 

The dealership sold off that truck at wholesale for some reason this afternoon. Not sure why any salesman in their right mind would do that when they knew there was potential interest. Ah well, it probably prevented me from making an impulse buy.

The consensus seems to be on the later 04's with the beefier motor. I think I am going to wait it out and go with a 4x4, unless a super deals comes along on a 4x2. Anyone know of anything for sale that fits what I am looking for?

I am about to replace the stupid AC blend doors on my Jeep... do the Ram's suffer from the same ****ty parts?
Also, what tcase is used on the 4x4 versions?

Thanks again for all the help, ideas, and info.. Keep it comin!

-gvb

 

I havent heard of any problems with the door in the A/C, and the transfer that is used is either the NP271 on the auto shift, and the NP273 for the manual shift.

best thing to do would be to go to either Cummins Forum, Turbo Diesel Register, or dare I say it *cough* Diesel Truck Resource*cough* and run through the classifides. I know once guy on CF is selling his 500hp 97.

 

In my search, I've noticed that the asking price range is extremely wide... not really sure what selling average sale prices are though.

I've come across a few here that I'd like to make offers on, but wanted to get an idea from some others as to what their worth is.

I haven't actually seen any of these three, but if they are as the sellers described them to me, these two were well maintained grocery getters:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=en&cardist=55
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/209548450.html

and this one was used to tow a few times, but is in new condition:

http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/car/203737116.html

Would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks!

 

Go to Edmunds.com or NADA.com or even Autotrader.com and price the vehicles it should give you an idea as to what veryone else is paying for them.

 

Thanks... Trader is not good for pricing since the listed price typically isn't the sale price.

Edmunds shows real word numbers being a lot lower than NADA or KBB.

-gvb