I did some searches and found some conflicting info. I'm pretty sure of the differences between the 03/04 model years and the 04.5 but I'm not sure what changes were made to the '05 model. Was the '05 the 610 motor or the 600?

I drove an '06 that was significantly quieter than an 04.5 and I'm wondering if the '05 would sound more like the 04.5 or the 06?

I'm gonna call an auto broker to see if they can find me a truck. Ideally, I would get an early 04 with the 305/555 motor and the 48re but it's like finding a needle in a haystack.

 

There are a few minor differences. One of the biggest is that starting in 05, they started putting the Fuel Lift Pump in the fuel tank. The 04.5 trucks still have it on the back of the fuel filter housing unless modified to "in tank" by the dealer under warranty. Probably better to go aftermarket (FASS, Walbro etc) anyway if you plan on adding extra power. But the "in tank" pumps are holding up well for stock (or a little more) power.


The 05 trucks are called 610 motors. But that is just a marketing thing to top the Chevy Duramax at the time. GM had come out marketing the torque of the Duramax to be 605....so Dodge one-upped them and called it a 610. No ACTUAL difference.....unless it's a "Reflash" or something. Just marketing.

If you are looking at a manual transmission truck....the 04.5 trucks have the NV 5600 6 speed manual. 05's have the G56 6 speed manual. Both are good transmissions. Parts for the NV are becoming more scarce though. The G56 is geared kinda low....great for pulling....generally hurts highway mileage a little. All of the automatic equipped 04.5-07 trucks have the 48RE transmission.

Be aware of some early 05 models, because Dodge (to save a few pennies) went to a plastic intercooler which has been troubleprone for some. Dodge realized the error of their ways and switched back to metal intercoolers mid-way through the 05 model year. 04.5, late 05, and 06+ trucks all have metal intercoolers.

The differences you noticed in Noise....is just a variation from truck to truck. You could have drove a different 04.5 and it may have been louder or quieter depending on the truck, mileage, etc.

The new 07.5 6.7 Cummins trucks are quieter. But 04.5-early 07s should be basically the same......noise wise...and power wise.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for all the info TexasCTD. It sounds like 03 or 04/04.5 is the way to go for me.

 

Glad I could help Remnik. But I wouldn't worry about buying any of the common rail 5.9 trucks. 03-07 are all great trucks. I was just pointing out some of the differences between the 04.5 to the 05 like your question asked.

Buy any of them and you will be very happy. (but watch for the plastic intercoolers on the early 05s)

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and if you can get a good enough deal on the plastic intercooler 05 truck....it's not like it can't be replaced with a metal one. Go for it.

 

And some feel the 05's are the best of the bunch....

 

The 05' trucks had the plastic endcap CAC and if a manual a nv5600. The 05.5 trucks went back to the metal CAC and the manual was changed to the G56 tranny.

 

My 04.5 has the pump in the tank.

 

Did you buy it new? I have never heard of an 04.5 that came from the factory with the "intank" pump. Are you sure it wasn't retrofitted at the dealer under warranty at some point?

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Well maybe a few do.....but MOST, KNOWLEDGEABLE People KNOW that the 04.5 is by far away the best....

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yes 04.5 best (fair and balanced) LOL

 

My 04.5 had the pump in the tank as well. Changed that out for the FASS system after I lost it at 62k.

 

Na 04 was the best better mileage a little cooler

 

Na 04 was the best better mileage a little cooler

 

Nah, the 03 is best (well once you change out the LP). You guys who came after are just copycats.

Cya