TEXWS6

Fixing to graduate from college and want to purchase a CTD. Just some basic questions. I will be driving 30 miles round trip to work, and towing a 20' enclosed trailer every other weekend to the dunes. Now for the questions.

In terms of reliability, which tranny is best? I am assuming the 6 speed gets much better fuel mileage.

What are some good dealerships in Texas to grab an 04.5 from?

What's the 600/555 mean?

Thanks

tdupuis

Tranny the old 47RE automatic wasn't known to be the best, but the 48RE that they're putting in now seems to be a much improved unit. Still, my preference for reliability would always be to get a manual if for no other reason than when a manual tranny fails you can usually still limp home. When an auto tranny fails, forget about it! From what I've been reading here, the 6-speed does marginally better in mileage. However, when they change manual trannies to the G56 I'll be interested to see how it fares compared to the NV5600. Were I you, I'd suggest trying to grab an 04.5 6-speed. That's what I did.

The 555/600 refers to the amount of torque the motors have. The 04s had the 555 lb-ft motor, the 04.5 had the 600 lb-ft motor.

I got my truck from Bankston Dodge of Irving. If you want, I can give you the phone number and the name of the man I did business with.

Good luck!

TEXWS6

that would be great if you could get me that number. what do you think an SLT would go for in a quad cab 4x2 package with a six speed at the dealership you bought from?


thanks,

Kelly

Ray Roton

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with the 48re automatic transmission if you plan to keep the engine at STOCK H.P.
If you are going to up the H.P. then, there are some upgrades available for the tranny as well. (they aren't cheep though)
A lot of people just prefer a stick shift. I did when I was young, but now,I am old and too lazy to shift gears.
I would say just buy the tranny you think you will be happy with. I don't think reliability is an issue with either one.

tdupuis

I got my truck from Bankson Dodge of Irving, TX. Phone number 972-721-3800. The man I dealt with was Les Hopkins. My truck was an '04.5 SLT 4x2 2500 6-speed. I paid just about $31k on the nose for it, including having them install a Class IV hitch and block heater (neither of which the truck had, for some reason) and after discounts. I think I got a good deal. When you call tell him Ted DuPuis says hi and is loving his truck.

TEXWS6

Bankson wants 31 for an 04 (6spd, quad cab, 4x2, SLT, SWB) but Randolph of Eastland wants 32 for an 05 that is identical....which one is the better deal?



Kelly

tdupuis

What're the options on the invoice? Mine would have been $30.3k for an 04 6-speed quad cab 4x2 SLT long bed with the anti-spin differential, trailer towing mirrors, and premium seats. I ended up paying an extra $700 to have them install a block heater and hitch (yay for dealer labor rates). This is from Bankston. Also, is it an 04 or an 04.5? The 04 has the 305/555 engine, the 04.5 has the 325/600.

If it's actually an 04, I would go for the 05 since it's got the more powerful engine. If it's an 04.5, I would go for the 04.5 because it's a savings of $1000, but that's me.

moterhead

Interesting about the block heater. All the '04s came WITH the heater in the block. The option was the cord. It was a $10 option when I bought mine. Didn't get it as I live in the Florida Keys where the all time low temp is 45. Now I'm moving to north Texas (Amarillo) & could probably use it. I may buy the cord. I've heard installing is about a 15 minute job if you are slow like me. From what you are saying, the 04.5s don't have the heater. Any else want to jump in here? Do the '04.5 and '05 trucks still come with the block heater installed?

tdupuis

Either mine came with the heater and the dealer ripped me off, or it didn't come with the heater. If the former, I'll be ******!

moterhead

Look at your invoice for the job & see what you were charged for. I've "heard" the cord is about $40 from a Dodge dealer and about half that from a Cummins dealer. I've no idea what a dealer would charge for labor to install the cord. The heater in the block has an orange cap on it if no cord. To install, you simply pull the cap & install the cord in it's place. Couple of nuts is what I've heard. Then route the cord to the front. Secure with a couple of cable ties. Not rocket science.