jmackin

I'm a duramax guy and dont know much about these. This one has 77k mi, and what looks like after market exhaust. What should I be looking for? Just sold my 02 d-max w/ 196k mi and was trouble free. What is a good buy on this?

BigDave12768

Well couple things about the 04's 3 Horse power trucks you could get. The S.O 250hp and the H.O 305hp and the 600 series 325hp. No matter what you have the 48re tranny. If its a C in the 8th spot of vin you got the 325hp and the truck was built after 1-1-04 if its a 6 it could be either a S.o or an H.O but you have to look at valve cover to find HP rating. Nce truck BTW

soulezoo

I'd buy it!

jmackin

It has a c in 8th digit. So it is the 325hp for sure? That was my main question, didnt want the 250hp motor. Does the exhaust look like after market or just the tail pipe? How can I tell if it has had a tuner on it? Thanks!

OCMerrill

Well if this helps you I recently bought an 04 4x4 built in 12-03 with a "C" for the 8th digit in the Vin and the sticker on the side of the valve cover says 305 hp which is 555 lb/ft tq. SLT, 109k miles, in pretty decent shape, and a very clean Carfax (no accidents and a one owner) for $18.5.

More then I wanted to spend but I wanted it and here in so Cal they are hard to find 100% Bone Stock. This is an AZ truck and I scored with it because in CA for 2004 you could only actually get a 235 hp and 435 tq. ver of that 250 and the 600 series was not available in CA until the 2004.5 model I understand.

BigDave12768

Yeah it should be the 325/600tq motor. Ok there are some big differences between a 04 and a 04.5. Now I cant get all that techinal becuase I will make mistakes. But I can give you the jist of it.

An 04.5 has a Cp3 injection pump. Which has like a third injection unit. This pump is easier to get Hp out of than the pumps that came on the 04's. The 04.5's also came with a bigger turbo and a 4 inch exhuast from the turbo back. So it could just be a tip. As for a tuner or programmer. I doubt the truck has one on it. Most people strip off the all the programmer and chips before they turn them in. Most people will tell you on this board the if you want to build HP you want a 325 hp motor. And if you want decent fuel mileage get the 305hp motor.

As for a controller. Smarty's seem to really wake up the Dodges. The Dtr store sells them and they are MAP priced (??) Also I guess you can buy them off ebay but they are not authorized dealers and cant warranty them. I have the Smarty jr and I think its great. you can get the regular smarty. But if you plan on playing with power you would have to beef tranny a lil. The smarty jr is safe enough

lucey

03 and 04 had the CP3 pump not just 04.5. 02 had the VP44. 04 was a better year for fuel mileage.

jmackin

Not looking to build a high perf. truck. This will be a work/daily driver. The exhaust sounds quite loud. so I'm assuming it isnt stock. Here is the vin#, not sure if you can tell any more info from it. Anymore info is appreciated.

Swayse

If it has a loud exhaust, chances are it was programmed. Look at the blow by, and if that looks ok, maybe do a compression test. Way too easy to ruin a motor with a programmer, and dump the truck instead of fixing it.

Pav1973

I have an 03 and I love it..I looked at Ford and Chevy before I bought mine...did about 6 mos of reading and looking at all 3 of the companys and settled on Dodge based on cost and feedback...the main sell point for me was one it was an engine made by a company that all the do is engines....two the mpg was way better then the others...

I have had only one problom with mine and it was a lift pump,but was covered under the warrenty...dealer tryed to charge me for it,called Dodge and they set him right...

I have run up mountain trails I should not have been on in ice snow rain ect ect..mud pits and not the wussy ones,coal silt pits..Filled the 8ft bed with rice coal and the truck laughed at me..had 2 ton of scrap metal in the bed drove it out of the mountain on roads that some jeeps are scared of and so far she has done all I asked and still ask's for more..

My one real complaint was the exhaust it was rotting out when I got it,I just replaced it with 4 in galv'ed pipe..the turbo back piece I bought for 50 bucks and the pipe cost me 40,plus the clamps to connect it all.

I can't tell if its a 8ft or 6ft bed but if you are going to work it I would go with the 8ft,not shure what you do with a 6ft bed,haul an ATV or luggage I guess.

Since I have had mine I work it and I am now sold on Dodge

Pav

Mike67RS

Check the ball joints... I haven't had any any issues, but I guess it is a problem area. My truck has always had a steering pull to the right.

My lift pump went out at 45000 miles. It was covered under the 50000 mi emissions warranty, but it likely would not be covered under the 100000 mi Cummins warranty.

Both front and rear pinion seals leaked. My truck is currently at the dealer for the rear seal again. It is still covered under the 70K mi warranty.

I get a lot of air noise through the door seals at high speeds with high winds (another common complaint). Get it on the freeway for test if you can.

My truck is a 235 hp CA model. With an EDGE EZ box, I have never had issues towing. The truck performs very well in city driving as well.

You cannot go wrong with the Cummins, and the 48re trans has proven to be bulletproof, though not the smoothest transmission. Good Luck, it sounds like a good find.

torquefan

To find out for sure which engine you have, look at the engine data plate. It will either be on the valve cover, or close to it, on the driver side of the engine. Under 'engine model', it will either say ISB 250, ISB 305, or ISB 325. Those are the different horsepower choices for the model year.

Sittingbull2

I have a 2003 3500 DRW 100,??? something miles no problems with it. 305 HP & 555 TQ. Bone stock except for holes in the airbox and a MACK straight thru muffler. It does evrything I need it has pulled 24,000 + lbs. without missing a beat.

jmackin

Take delivery tommorow. Thanks for all the info. I hope this thing isnt a pile!

OCMerrill

I have had to work through a few issues but I am real happy with my truck. You will dig having the power to pull anything you desire.