Forum Discussion

GASA765's avatar
GASA765
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014

2004 Dodge 3500 SRW

I'm considering purchasing a 2004 Ram 3500 SRW. It has 167K miles,is the 5.9L, a 4 speed automatic, 4WD, with the 3:73 axle ratio.
I'm wondering if there are any known problems I need to be aware of.
I currently have the truck in my signature and it's had a few problems and don't want to trade one problem for another. I was told the dealer has all the maintenance records and the high mileage was mostly from driving to and from construction jobs with trailer in tow.
It was traded in for a new Ram gas engine since gas is cheaper than diesel where they're moving to.
Thanks
Tow Vehicles

9 Replies

  • john_bet's avatar
    john_bet
    Explorer II
    Jan 21, 2014
    Owned my '04.5 auto,3.73 since new, now 10 years. Had trans rebuilt last Sept. at 154k, now has 160k. Only other repairs were a water pump. I plan to keep on going. Been paid for for 5 years so it is basically free transportation. I can do a lot of repairs for the price of a new one.
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jan 21, 2014
    GASA765 wrote:
    Sorry, but what is a blow by? What are the signs and cures?


    Here's an example of an engine with excessive blow by.

    Link
  • GASA765's avatar
    GASA765
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    Sorry, but what is a blow by? What are the signs and cures?
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jan 21, 2014
    The reason I mentioned to check blow by I happen to know a guy who has a 04.5 Dodge 5.9 and he noticed his engine started to have blow by last year. Because he ignored the warning sign, he's now facing a engine rebuild with lost compression in cylinders 5 and 6 that appears to be caused by faulty injectors.

    Performing a delete on a cummins 6.7 is a slippery slope :W because a tuner is required to handling the deletes, and many have suffered head gasket failures afterwards. Not a good option on this engine IMO.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    Engine blow by on a 2004? Thought the puke pale was gone by then...
    The truck you listed is pre DPF and has a much lower rate of failure than your 2007 6.7 emission truck. Lot's of early DPF trucks all brands ( 2007-2010) did deletes which are not really legal, but it cured many of their problems. This might be your best option if your having issues, but again it's a federal law you would be breaking.
    Pass the joint comes to mind :B
    Bottom line is the 2004 is a jewel as Scott mentioned.
  • maxwell11's avatar
    maxwell11
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    I have a 2005 model with auto,
    some do not like the T/H mode only of the 2005 models, as you cannot lockout OD on this model,

    I am not sure on the 2004.5 model if they have the same trans.

    but I have had no problems with it,

    drives good, shifts and pulls good, nice truck,
    I have 72K miles

    I had the trans drained and filter changed at 42K, plan on another trans drain and filter change around 80K. maybe bands adjusted if necessary.

    wish they had installed grease zerks on the frontend wear points.
    but my truck drives fine.
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2014
    Is it the 2004 or 2004.5? I would add a steering stabilizer. Change filters.
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jan 21, 2014
    Typical tranny stuff to check for: sloppy shifting/slips under hard throttle, where the tranny bands adjusted, rebuilt tranny or factory tranny, ball joints, look for engine blow by, original injectors or not come to mind.

    I'm assuming your looking to unload your 07?

    Good luck...
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 21, 2014
    The 03 and 04's are highly sought after. If you can get one, buy it!

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