[gridesnik]

hey guys looking at buying my first dodge and was wondering if any trucks in those years were better than other? I have seen alot of 2004.5 and was wondering what they changed in the second half of 2004 and if it was for the better or worse. I would like to have a six speed mainly because im looking for 100k plus mile trucks and a clutch is cheaper than a trans rebuild. Any help would be great.
Thanks
Nik

 

[98whitelightnin]

They bumped the power from 305/555 to 325/600 in the HO trucks in 04.5. The 03 and early 04 tend to get better mileage too. Most people that have an 03 pr early 04 like them and wouldnt change to a 600 and vise versa.

 

[slowmover]

Get the 305/555 motor. Best blend of power and fuel economy. You don't need more power to tow within spec. See signature.

 

[ColinP]

I'm also in the market.. What are the other differences with the 04.5?

 

[Carl L]

I'm also in the market.. What are the other differences with the 04.5?

The engine became high output so was 325bhp 610lb/ft up from 305 555. Always nice to have extra factory power when you keep things mostly stock like me. Haven't found anything I can't pull.

 

[brandau7]

The engine became high output so was 325bhp 610lb/ft up from 305 555. Always nice to have extra factory power when you keep things mostly stock like me. Haven't found anything I can't pull.

dont mean to hijack the thread but do you l;ike your bilsteins? did they make a big diff on your truck?

 

[Carl L]

dont mean to hijack the thread but do you l;ike your bilsteins? did they make a big diff on your truck?

Yeah, there are better shocks but for the money the Bilsteins are great. I got the silver/chrome looking ones with the rubber boot rather than the yellow and blue.

The stock shocks are junk on all the big three trucks. I remember when I had my GMC Dmax Z71 and I took the stock shocks off at 500 miles (five hundred) and I could compress them with one finger each end while rebound was leisurely to non-existent.

Main difference is more control when hitting compressions and rises at medium to high freeway speeds. I'd say this improved about 70%. Low speed ride the difference was far less noticeable which I expected going in, maybe 20%. Great mod- cheap, easy and effective.