Today when I got home I shut down the truck like normal. when I heard a loud clunk and rattle and the normal screech. does anyone have any idea what this could be before I take it to the dealer.

Its a 2004.5 auto 4x4

 

I would check the belt and tensioner. That could easily of caused a clunk and rattle sound.

 

It is completely normal. Mine does it almost every time I shut it down. It is referred to as the "Cummins Chirp".

What is happening...is your VERY high compression Diesel engine is suddenly stopping when you shut it off. For just a fraction of a second after that point, the serpentine belt and all accessories (water pump, A/C, p. steering etc.) are continuing their rotation at about 725 rpms. Once the engine stops, they get stopped pretty abruptly and cause the belt to "chirp".

There is a "fix" for it at the dealer if you must------ http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2006/09-004-06.htm

I wouldn't dream of having it "fixed" since it is not really broken. It is just one of those things that make it part of owning a REAL diesel....Clatter, black smoke, gobs of torque, and the belt chirp.

 

TexasCTD, he said that the chirp was normal, BLACKBIRD8200 was asking about the clunk. It sounds to me you compressor. mine does it rarely. The engine makes the compressor stop where it doesnt want to stop, then the compressor either skips to the next or previous rotation, which causes the clunk. if it does it all the time i would have it checked out. but if it only does it once, the dealership is only going to say they cant fix anything that isnt broke.