terraj

I'm using the services of a club that I belong to in order to purchase my truck. I used to have a 99 Ram 2500 CTD but it was a standard cab longbed and now I'm going up to a quad cab. I'm sticking to the 03-04 for the price range he can get me one for. My questions is, how can it be determined if it's a HO or SO? Is there something in the VIN because in the descriptions he gets for all the vehicles it doesn't designate. Is there something on the badging because he gets pictures of every truck and sends guys out to look at the trucks and do an inspection on them before buying. He just asked me if I knew how to tell the difference and I don't. He said he would look into it but I figured I'd post on here to see if I could get him an answer faster. I'm really looking forward to getting back into a diesel ram. I miss mine but it just didn't have the people carrying capacity that I needed with the old one. My 99 had a full Bullydog system, Kelderman air-ride with the rear fourlink and was a really fun truck to drive. I ended up selling it on eBay and lost so much money it's not even funny. Makes me sick thinking back to it. Anyway, onewards to the next one. I just want to make sure I get what I want.

Any advice on things to look out for on the 03-04's?

dodgezilla04

03-04's are different than 04.5's


for 04-04.5 difference, look under the truck for a catalytic converter, or on the valve cover drivers side at the white stick. if it is 325 hp, its an 04.5,, if it is 305hp, 04

terraj

Thanks for the info on that 04 - 04.5. I didn't realize there was a difference there but glad that I do now. Just one more thing to look for.

How would we tell on an 03 if it's an HO or not? There is nothing in the VIN or badging that would designate it?

C Schomer

It's probably in the vin but most guys just look at the motor ID plate. It's at the top/front and by the driver side of the valve cover. It will have 305 as part of the engine # - I think isbe305. The SO will be isbe245 or whatever they are. You want it to be 305 for 03-04.4 and I think it's 325 for 04.5+. Craig

terraj

Okay thanks. I will let them know what and where to look. Hope to have pics soon.