I have an 07 mega that has not lived up to my expectations, never better than 13 mpg. It is a nice truck, but I cannot afford to have a 40k truck that costs me a fortune in fuel each month. I am going with an 03-04 truck and getting a car to drive daily. Are there any common problems/failures with the 03-04 trucks I should be aware of? I have heard of great fuel mileage out of these trucks. Thanks for the help.

 

I have an 04 quad with a few addons. It Just turned over 52k. and the lift pump went out, but the dealership warrantied it and installed the new one in the tank. From what I'm told this lift pump is a weak link. As far MPG. in town 13-14 and 16-18 on highway but I've got a lead foot. I feel your pain about fuel costs, we're payin close to 4 bucks a gallon out here. I hope this helps.

 

I don't know what trucks came with the SO (Standard Output) vs the HO (305 motor) but you can look at the driver's side of the head and see the power rating. I didn't even know this when I bought my truck but I'm **** glad I got the HO

 

Well I love my 03, I have the HO motor and just rolled over 70K never a problem. Had a glitch with the right front door seal , It was a recall and was fixed. Had a prob with the check guages light flashing on for a sec and then going off, TSB out for it Dodge reflashed it and gone.

 

The early 03 had the 47re auto, look for a 48re if you want an auto.

 

lift pump is all mine never went out just replaced it with walbro because my tst drained my rail

o and i get 24 highway and 22 stop and go traffic but for being a young kid i drive like a grandpa most of the time

 

I keep hearing about '03's with cold start problems. I am waiting to pick mine back up from the dealer due to a faulty pressure relief valve in the fuel rail. seems like the fuel delivery system in the 03's could be the weaker link, next to the lame 47re (i got lucky and ended up with the 48)

 

Mines an 04.5 that we got used in Aug of this year with 51K on it, we just turned 65k at the beginning of the week. We had a few minor things that got corrected under warranty (had to have the dealer replace all the u joints in the drive shaft) and I replaced the wally-world discount tires on it with Bridgestone Dueler's and its runs great! (knock on wood)

If you can get an 04.5 I think you'll be pleased.

 

I just rolled 65,000 the other day on my way to the dealer. The only problems i've had with the 04' are u-joints(atleast 6 of them), hub seals, pinion seals, carrier bearing, a bunch of the interior has fallen apart, lift pump that left me stranded, power steering pump, ball joints are in desperate need of replacement, front unit bearing need to also be replaced. I also have a very small oil leak from the front of the engine. Considering the abuse this truck has taken since day one, I have no complaints. Truck empty(10,000lbs.) with cruise control on @ 70 will get 18mpg with smarty sw6.

 

I had an 04 SO and ran an edge-ez on level 3. Lift pump went out at 20K.
milage with or without the edge was the same 10.5 towing 14K fithwheel and 16/17 hwy @ 75 mph. I now have an 06 with only a few bolt-ons *(no box or chip). Mpg towing is 11, and HWY @ 75 MPH is 16/17. I feel the the 06 is a much better Driving Truck.

 

So now big MPG gains with these trucks huh? I have heard these were the best MPG trucks Dodge made since they were before all the emissions crap. My 07 pulls down about 13mpg all the time, but that is probably a 50/50 split of city/hwy. It can get 16-17 on the interstate cruising, I just never seen to do that often. Sounds like the 03-04 trucks have their share of problems. How much is a lift pump replacement when they go? Also what years do I need to look for the SO vs HO motors? And what are the specs on each?

 

My 03 HO at 123000 miles has had a new power steering box put in and just recently a new water pump. No complaints, most mods I have done with no problems, and what problems I had was not the truck just a timing cable on the TST box.

 

I just did the same thing. I had an 06 4x4 it averaged 12-14mpgs no matter town or highway. I traded down to an 04.5 2wd with 30000 miles, paid 20k out the door reinstalled my BDDL Cl, I got 20 mpg on my first road trip going 70-80, around town Im getting 16-17 mpgs. Needless to say Im very pleased with the 04.5

 

What is better about the 04.5 trucks? And how would I tell the difference between 04.5 and 04?

 

the 04.5 have the 325hp 600ft lbs engine and no more SO engine.

the 04 were 305hp and 555 ft lbs. or the SO was 250hp. you had to look onthe engine cover to see which one it is.

my 04 HO has been a great truck... 136,000 miles on it and still gets 22 mpg city/highway split.