Did 2004 Ram 3500s come with 5 speed manuals?
08-21-2007, 04:18 PM
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Did 2004 Ram 3500s come with 5 speed manuals?
There's one for sale at the local dealership and I'm perplexed over it not having a 6 speed manual transmission instead of a 5 speed.
Anyone know when the 5 speeds went away the 6 speeds took over?
Anyone know when the 5 speeds went away the 6 speeds took over?
08-21-2007, 04:50 PM
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08-21-2007, 05:46 PM
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08-21-2007, 06:19 PM
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So yes, the truck on the lot is an SO if it has the 5 speed.
08-21-2007, 06:56 PM
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OK, I just got back from the dealership again. I looked more closely and saw that it was built 8/03 and the sticker on the Cummins itself did in fact say it had 235hp. It also had "24V" molded into the valve cover (I had no idea 24Vs were sold into 2004)
So here's the deal: The truck looked like it was in really good shape (except for the tires and brakes, they were all worn badly, everything else looked fantastic), was this a "good" year/model for the Dodge Ram Cummins? Anything I should look out for? Is the 24V desirable?
Any help at all would be appreciated.
PS- I'm actually kinda bummed slightly, because I was thinking it was the Cummins 600 with 325hp and 600tq and the 6-spd manual.
It's the SLT package (real nice interior) with manual transfer case.
So here's the deal: The truck looked like it was in really good shape (except for the tires and brakes, they were all worn badly, everything else looked fantastic), was this a "good" year/model for the Dodge Ram Cummins? Anything I should look out for? Is the 24V desirable?
Any help at all would be appreciated.
PS- I'm actually kinda bummed slightly, because I was thinking it was the Cummins 600 with 325hp and 600tq and the 6-spd manual.
It's the SLT package (real nice interior) with manual transfer case.
08-21-2007, 09:29 PM
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The fact that you have a six speed tells you that you have an HO.
You can look at the sticker on your valve cover and it will have the 305hp rating. An SO will always be a 5 speed if it's a manual shift, and the rating on the sticker will be either 250hp or 235hp.
You can look at the sticker on your valve cover and it will have the 305hp rating. An SO will always be a 5 speed if it's a manual shift, and the rating on the sticker will be either 250hp or 235hp.
08-21-2007, 10:09 PM
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The 03 SO has the best fuel mileage out of all the third gen dodges so far. Its your choice when it comes to the 5 or 6 speed manuals in the manual transmission department. Although, the 4 speed auto transmission had a weak spot depending if you had an exhaust brake or a lot of engine mods done, something about a thrust shim. Even now the auto is still one of the first things that should be beefed up prior to running the truck hard. The PCM and ECM had high failure rates due to water in the electrical connections at the ECM. Some trucks were reflashed for an budget buster wannabe High-Out Put programing by some dealerships. Also, some failed engine mounted fuel pumps are now being replace with the in the tank pumps at some owners expenses. I would check for TSB's done to the truck. According to the Dodge Ram TSB site the 03 had a lot of TSB recalls, but I find this as common. Due to the fact that this was the new model year for the Dodge Ram's Heavy Duty Trucks. A good place to do some snooping would be CarFax.com. Just remember most of the interior and exterior parts are interchangable from 02-07.
If I had to buy another Ram due to an total out accident on my 05 that is one model I would look closely at. Even with the numerous TSB out for this model year, I would still look at it.
Shawn
If I had to buy another Ram due to an total out accident on my 05 that is one model I would look closely at. Even with the numerous TSB out for this model year, I would still look at it.
Shawn
08-21-2007, 10:18 PM
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I would watch out. Some dealership will try to sell an 03 for an 04 just to raise the market price of the truck. Check the door jam stickers and the Engine Data Plate on the cummins motor head or valve cover for correct information. Dont forget to make sure the vehicle has an owners manual, otherwise make them pay to put one in. The manual alone cost over $50 at the stealerships. 
Shawn
Shawn