2004.5 Dodge truck ideas? I'm testing one this weekend!

Hi.
I'm test driving a 2004.5 Dodge diesel truck this weekend. Is this a good year to own? I have heard that up to 2007 with 5.9 is the best safest way to go.

I have a 1998 12 valve quad cab now but want more bells, whistles and brakes. I see a 2007 with deletes completed and all kind of add on also I may drive.
Any advice are appreciated. Herb

 

Got a good one for sale in the classifieds. Just sayin'. Ken Irwin

 

Here is an easy and basic test I will be on the look-out for on any Dodge Cummins truck:

I am reading and hearing that stock manifolds can be prone to shrinking. Bring a spray bottle with soap and water and spray on the manifold at the head on a cold engine to see if there are any leaks.

I just had a 2 pc. exhaust manifold installed on mine. Mine had leaks at the 1,2 & 6 cylinders at 2,000 RPM.

 

Stay COMPLETELY away from ANY truck that some clown has pulled the DPF and any other emissions stuff off the truck... PERIOD!
The '04.5 through '07, 5.9's are all good trucks. The '06 and later has the TIPM power distribution that can be a PITA. The '06 especially had issues with the TIPM. I have a December,'06 build, '07, 5.9 with the G56 and it has been a GREAT truck! You can see my signature of what I have done to mine.

 

Just curious how much they are asking and how many miles. I just bought the same truck a few weeks back. One thing i will say is its a great truck but dont judge the truck by the color of the oil.........

 

The biggest worry would be bad injectors. HPCR injectors are not cheep and average life seems to be about 150,000mi, but could be much lees if fuel filters where not of the highest quality. Look at the oil level and make sure it is not over full from fuel dilution. I own a deleted 6.7 and could not be happier. The ONLY people who don't like the 6.7s are the ones that don't own one.

 

Pick up the buyer's guide here on the forums and it will give you with out a dought the best advice you could ever receive on a used truck purchase. recommended by the TDR core.

 

The only advice I would give is to move the clock back a little to an '03 or '04 with the 305HP engine. It's considerably more economical than anything that followed, and can benefit from extended oil changes.

 

Zero problems with the wife's 04.5. Has 115K on it now, Smarty on level 3 since 40K.

 

HerbW see my truck in the classifieds, you won't go wrong! Ken Irwin

 

My 04.5 has been a great truck 150k on the clock . If you buy from a d e a l e r have service run the vin to see what was done to the truck or if it was blackballed from warranty . As Bob V stated injectors are ready to be replaced so use it as a bargaining chip . Good luck

 

if you haven't bought the '04.5 yet I've had my '04'5 2-1/2 years now.
Paid 17.5k for it w/117k on it.
Other than normal (for a Cummins and a Dodge) wear items no problems/nothing major 190k on it now.
'04.5 QCLB 4x4 auto HO

 

In my opinion, and that of many others on the forum, the high points are 97-8 215 HP 12 valve, 2003-4 HO 305 HP, and 2013-4 385 HP/Aisin. All of the others have their fans, and with good reasons, but what really matters on any used truck is condition, condition, condition...as well as your willingness to chase the inevitable failure items. You can see the saga of everything I replaced on my early 2004 by checking back issues of the magazine, my column.

 

agreed,
My personnal preference when buying one is as close to stock as possible and not towed to death.
anyone that advertises "has/had a tuner but NEVER turned past xxx" is full of c&^p/lying. stock with xxx,xxx only thing you have to be concerned with is the "normal" for a Cummins/Dodge at xxx,xxx miles. At least you have a pretty good idea of what toexpect at that point.