major problems
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: McKinney, TX
The lift pump, if stock, will be on the fuel filter housing on the driver side of the engine. Those will fail eventually. But if the truck has under a 100K miles on it....the dealer will do an "in tank" replacement under the engine warranty.
If you ever plan on adding extra power to the truck, it may be a good idea to go ahead and replace it with an aftermarket lift pump.
The stock automatics could use a better torque converter but they are fine too unless you add extra power. If you add extra power you need to do supporting mods too.
The 04's are great trucks. All years are.
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From: Ila georgia
Look at TSB's.Things like door seals etc.Lift pumps are a issue.Transmissions are NOT a issue if its a 305/555 engine as it has the 48re which has a good track record.Even the low horse motors by 04 had the 48re I'm pretty sure.The NV5600 has a good track record as do the transfer case and axels etc.Heat/Ac box blend and recir doors are a known problem.
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From: Mostly near Tampa Fl
As above the auto tranny is one of the best of the big 3. Service it regulary per schedule and it will outlast the manual in some cases. Keep HP to minor increases and all is well, start going hog wild, thats when problems start. A better converter & Valve body upgrades help the converter slippage at low end but it functions well without also. Service seems to be the major issue, if not done regulary then failure is more apt to happen.
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From: texas/oklahoma
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From: an Alaskan living in Des Moines Iowa....
seems like I hear a lot about injector issues in the 03-04's, that and trans, and balljoints/ujoints. I have had 2 out of 3 go out on me(I am sure the trans will go as soon as I shell out the cash for this last round of work) , and I dont even drive it hard!
but, its also used, so I dont know what the previous owner did to it. Now that I have Flux 1's, and new ujoints and balljoints, I dont think I am going to worry about them as much anymore.
but, its also used, so I dont know what the previous owner did to it. Now that I have Flux 1's, and new ujoints and balljoints, I dont think I am going to worry about them as much anymore.
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From: Ila georgia
It seems that the 03/4 have been the best of the third gens..I read a lot of Dodge forums and have for years.What you have stated is not what I concur.In fact just the other way around.Of course they are the oldest of the third gens with the most miles.That might have someting to do with your statement.
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From: Silver City, NM
I love my 04!!! I've replaced the u joints and upper and lower ***** joints and the rest just done to support mods. I love my 6 speed and only wished my 92 had a NV5600 or 4500 in it!!! 
I'd be in HOG HEAVEN... How many miles are on this 04 your looking at? If it's a HO 305/555 guess what! No emission junk on it!!! I bought mine with 65,000 miles on it and now have 145,000 on her and they HAVE NOT BEEN EASY MILES!!!!
I'd be in HOG HEAVEN... How many miles are on this 04 your looking at? If it's a HO 305/555 guess what! No emission junk on it!!! I bought mine with 65,000 miles on it and now have 145,000 on her and they HAVE NOT BEEN EASY MILES!!!!
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From: Claxton, GA
The 04.5 - 07 5.9 are the ones with more **** injector issues(fuel in oil, etc). Most folks with 03-04 get many miles out of there injectors. Just change the filters as scheduled and get quality fuel.
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From: an Alaskan living in Des Moines Iowa....
It seems that the 03/4 have been the best of the third gens..I read a lot of Dodge forums and have for years.What you have stated is not what I concur.In fact just the other way around.Of course they are the oldest of the third gens with the most miles.That might have someting to do with your statement.
was that for me?
your are probably right, I guess what I should have said was that for my particular truck, those have been an issue, and it seems like a lot of other guys were going through the same stuff as I was. but I should have also said that my truck has 130,000 miles on it, and the stuff that was replaced was all the original parts. its just that I bought it with 94,000 on it, so it feels like they went fast. but in reality, they lasted forever. and like I said before, now that they are all replaced, I think I wont have to worry about them again for while. and like you, I LOVE my truck. wouldnt change a thing (well, thats a lie, every now and then I wish I had a manual).
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From: an Alaskan living in Des Moines Iowa....
true. and actually, I took the puck off after shelling out 1800 bucks to get my fluxs....dont want to spend that kinda cash on them again.
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From: Harker Heights,Tx
As above the auto tranny is one of the best of the big 3. Service it regulary per schedule and it will outlast the manual in some cases. Keep HP to minor increases and all is well, start going hog wild, thats when problems start. A better converter & Valve body upgrades help the converter slippage at low end but it functions well without also. Service seems to be the major issue, if not done regulary then failure is more apt to happen.