Ok So which Dodge Diesel should I buy. After taking 5 used 1999 through 2002 Dodge diesels for a drive and not finding one that was in good shape and had the features we want I am now deciding to go new. However with all the various issues being raised about the 2004.5 600HO engines and the driveline vibration issues I am wondering whether now is not a good time to buy. I am looking for a 2500 4X2 SB manual for fifth wheel towing. I currently have a 26ft fiver and don't expect to upgrade beyond maybe a 30 footer in a few years. I am committed to a Dodge but I am wondering if I should buy a 2004.5 with the 600 and the 6sp manual now or wait and either order or look for a 2005 in 6 or 8 months time. I also found a 2003 2500 with the 555 CTD and a 5spd manual however it does not have the anti-slip rear end or the tow package, I can drive my 1999 1500 5.2L gasser a little longer but I am afraid I might break something pulling my trailer this summer with it. I just came back from South Carolina and the truck really struggled. What's a guy to do?? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

I'm in the same position... I sold my '99 a couple months ago and it SUCKS to not have a truck, yet I'm forcing myself to wait for the 05's. In my opinion, the 600's are turning out to be a reliable platform and there's reports of many of them getting decent MPG these days. A lot of the vibration issues, and the freeze plug issue, all have been fixed. Hopefully if there's any new problems that are identified before the startup of the '05 production, they'll be adressed before the trucks roll off the line. Will the '05's have issues of their own? Probably, but most of the serious stuff should be worked out. I'm definitely not willing to wait until '06 before buying, and after contemplating used trucks, I can't bring myself to give up that new truck smell I've been dreaming about for so long.

 

I'd wait and order one.Then you get exactly what you want.

 

Go directly to the dealership right now and buy a new truck to your liking, quit hemming and hawing about it. It drove me crazy just deciding on color. What ever you get its gonna be awesome compared to your old truck.

 

Vibration issues are NOT fixed. Test drive one carefully!

 

*MOST* vibration issues are fixed on NEW (not sitting on the lot) trucks... not that you can't get one that's got a problem, but the percentage is WAY lower now that they've isolated some things from PS hoses to driveshaft supportd to xfer cases. Do the TSB's address EVERY issue anyone will have? Of course not... but the new trucks will have each TSB already applied, and some fixes that they never generated a TSB for, and that's that many fewer trucks with that particular problem. I agree, though.. test drive before you buy, even if you custom ordered!

 

FYI - if it has a 5 speed, it's an SO, if it's an HO, then it has a 6 speed.

 

Please help me to understand the differences between the 2 versions. Considering that I will be towing how do the two version stack up against each other? Will the 5spd be a major negative compared to the 6spd. The 2003 I found does not have a limited slip rear end nor does it have a tow package. The tow package components can be add after, but how much will I miss not having the Limited slip rear end on a 2wd tow vehicle. Is there much difference in the engines aside from the 50 state rating of the 600 motor along with it's cat converter and slightly higher output and less fuel economy? Is the SO noticeable louder?

 

I have 2003 SO 4x4 automatic trans, and tow 11K toy hauler with no problems. I'm in California, so I didn't have the option of getting an HO. I would have gotten it if I could.

If you can afford to buy new, and you want one before the summer, I would opt for the 2004.5 325/600 and not wait. There are no significant differences going into model year 2005.

If you are going to be doing any driving/towing in the snow, you will definitely want to consider the limited slip option, even if you have to add it after the fact. In other words, if you can get a smoking deal on the '03, I'd pick it up and add the towing and a locker to it.

The HO has a 55 hp edge on the SO, but that can be easily made up in power improvements. Also, I don't believe there is any reliability difference between the two manual tranny's.

 

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