2004-2006 Dodge Diesel

We bought our 2004.5 almost 5 years ago, 2nd owner. We don't put a lot of miles on it, but it has been a great vehicle, 154K on the clock now. We intend to keep it a long time. We use it to tow our TT and for various utilitarian duties. It's a Southern AZ truck from birth, so no rust or corrosion. Very little emissions -- a Cat, but apparently was gutted by previous owner, but it still passes emissions!

I do most of my own maintenance. The Cummins rig is pretty easy to work on. I was lucky that the previous owner put a PacBrake on it -- very advisable to get an exhaust brake if you tow in mountains.

If you can find a clean one for a fair price, IMHO, they are a good choice for a tow vehicle.

ScottG wrote:

twodownzero wrote:
I would avoid the 03. It has a smaller turbo and less power. The gap between them and the newer year after that is something I wouldn't compromise on unless the price was right.

305 HP version went through 2004. Then went to 325. Same turbo through 2004 with 305. Certainly nothing about the 305 engine itself you would want to avoid and if you think the turbo is small, you don't understand how they work. The 305 has no issues with EGT and the turbo will happily flow well beyond that if asked to.
Many believe the 305HP was the best engine ever put in a Dodge and is legendary for its fuel efficiency. It also lacks the cat conv. the 325hp models were forced to employ (and hence, use bigger turbo housings).
BTW, my 305 keeps up with my buddy's 325 (in stock form) just fine.

Is this where the brand bashing starts?

The 2004.5 is the 2004 with 325 hp. I own one.

"My dad has a 2003 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 and it has 130,000 miles on it. He had to put injectors in it last year but otherwise has been a great truck."

VERY common on the 3rd gen trucks. They simply needed a smaller micron filter!

My dad has a 2003 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 and it has 130,000 miles on it. He had to put injectors in it last year but otherwise has been a great truck.

My brother has a 2006 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 and it has maybe 30,000 miles on it. Yes...just 30,000 miles. He really only uses it to go hunting and to haul firewood, which he heats his house with. Otherwise it sits in the garage. He's had several offers on it but it would take crazy money to get it off of him.

My dad has a 2003 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 and it has 130,000 miles on it. He had to put injectors in it last year but otherwise has been a great truck.

My brother has a 2006 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 and it has maybe 30,000 miles on it. Yes...just 30,000 miles. He really only uses it to go hunting and to haul firewood, which he heats his house with. Otherwise it sits in the garage. He's had several offers on it but it would take crazy money to get it off of him.

Maybe so in your area.... but down south there's no issues. I see old one's from the 90's on the road every day.

midnightsadie wrote:
look out west or down south, the ones in the salt belt are junk.its out there sittin a garage some where just keep looking.

Agreed. Anything from that era that lived around here, the body's long past shot.

Dodge/Ram trucks are rusted through in 5 years, typically.

ScottG wrote:

twodownzero wrote:
I would avoid the 03. It has a smaller turbo and less power. The gap between them and the newer year after that is something I wouldn't compromise on unless the price was right.

305 HP version went through 2004. Then went to 325. Same turbo through 2004 with 305. Certainly nothing about the 305 engine itself you would want to avoid and if you think the turbo is small, you don't understand how they work. The 305 has no issues with EGT and the turbo will happily flow well beyond that if asked to.
Many believe the 305HP was the best engine ever put in a Dodge and is legendary for its fuel efficiency. It also lacks the cat conv. the 325hp models were forced to employ (and hence, use bigger turbo housings).
BTW, my 305 keeps up with my buddy's 325 (in stock form) just fine.

Is this where the brand bashing starts?

The 305 hp version did not go "through 2004," as numerous posters mentioned above, the "600" engine replaced it for all models in mid 2004 model year. The "610" engine became standard for the 2005 model year until the 5.9 was retired.

I said "smaller," not "small." All of the modern turbos are big compared to the 1990s.

I can tell you also from experience that the catalytic converter does not diminish performance at all. I suspect the newer turbo is laggier though.

I had a 2005 mega 4x4 with a manual and exhaust brake. Over 200'000 miles when I traded it in for a 2017 Laramie crew cab.

Put a clutch in it at around 120,000 miles. Traveled all over the intermountain West and Canada. Went through 3 TVs with it. A truck camper, Jayco TT, and a Toy hauler.
No repairs other than the clutch.
And Fish my dash was great - my dash was like new - and that was 12 years in the Tucson sun. Still not too late for that therapy.

I love my 05. I intend to keep it a while longer. 213k at the moment and it wasn't a sunny day truck when I bought it. I have no complaints about the truck. Normal wear items except for an AC evap core.
I would advise gently running your fingers along the inner lip of the rear wheel openings as they rusted if debris was allowed to sit there.
Patch panels are available but it bears being informed price wise.