Ok I'm looking at a 04 crew cab long bed with 6spd. Dealer say's its the h.o. because it has the 6spd. Just wondering if there are some good one's out there or what are some of the problems other than poor fuel economy.. it has 50,000 mi. on it. Kinda throws some flags only a year old with 50k.. Maybe something's wrong. Any thoughts..

 

Some people just change trucks every so many miles. I traded my '99 with 53,000 and my '01 with 77,000 and there was nothing wrong with either. What is the asking price?

 

I have 49K on my 04. It has been awesome. I am regularly popping 20plus MPG's as I travel around the Rockies in my sales job. I have done a few bombs and have had zero problems with the truck. You might try to find the history on the truck. Why is a non smogger HO in California. The HO's were not legal for sale there and that is one of the reasons for the fifty state 04.5 with the cat. Check the turbo to see if it has the OE elbow. It should not have a screw type clamp if it is original. Look up at the CP3 pump from the bottom with a strong light to check for any leakage. Check the fuse box for any signs of a former velcro attachment on the cover. Look to see if it does have the big football shaped Catalytic Converter. A true 04 should not. Has the exhaust been modified? Check the decal on the drivers side of the valve cover. It will say 305 / 555 if it is an HO. Does the gear box shift fairly smoothly. Take off aggressively in third gear after the truck has warmed up. Does the clutch chatter or slip. Pull the dipstick. My oil stays relatively clean for 5000 miles.

Mine is running stronger and better than when new. If this is a clean truck with no major problems, the 04 can be one of the most desireable vehicles out there. Good luck.

 

RTILLERY,
How the heck can you keep your oil rellatively clean for 5000 mi?? I use rotilla 15-40 and its cole black in 100-200 mi.

 

Asking $39,977 so $34,000.

Funny thing I never openned the hood.. (what a shame) I was there just to test drive it.. So that is what I did.. Now I have some homework.. It drove great very smooth other than me trying to get used to a clutch again (after 5 years of automatic's) I may go back & compare another 04 they have on the lot that is an Auto.. Just kinda wonder how the manual will work with manipulating the trailers... I was telling the wife that it would probably come natural after awhile.

 

If I'm understanding this right he's got nearly 40 on a truck with 50k miles? And his bottom dollar is 34k? You can buy a brand new one cheaper than that with the incentives and all.

 

Ya, price at $34K sounds high. I just checked meltonsales .com and the price for a new one is not much more than that. If that is the HO engine then it should be the 305hp/555tq, right? If so, your mileage should be pretty good. I get about 21 highway (under 70) with my '03.

 

Check out davesmith.com, I bought mine there for less than $34,000 and it had 29 miles on it when I test drove it. It was a 350 mile trip to go get it but I had 2 people from Reno in the shuttle from the airport with me and they were there to pick up trucks also.

 

I would give him $30K if it was completely loaded Laramie. Maybe more like $28K. I paid $37K for my 03 out the door including tax new.

 

BluePP, I change my oil every 5000 using Delo, or this last time, Delvac. I am using Fleetguard Stratopore filters since new and the truck is pretty amazing on how clean the oil stays. Most of my miles are highway and I seldom turn the box above 5/3 but I do drive it pretty aggressively. I just got back from a Salt Lake/Casper/Laramie/Denver roundtrip and got over 20 on all three tanks, hand calculated. I figured the last fillup at 21.3. I am beginning to believe the six shooter really helps the mileage on these trucks.

I bought the truck in Dec of 04, and a week later they announced the 04.5s with the increase in HP. I was bummed until I found out about the Catalytic Converter and third injection event. I started hearing about the mileage trouble some of the guys were struggling with, and I felt better. Seldom a day goes by, I am not greatful I got mine when I did. Once in a while you get lucky.

 

My oil stays pretty clean, also. Used to have an '80 Mercedes-Benz 300-D. After an oil change, you could drive it, darned near, around the block and the oil looked like flat-black paint. These new trucks are much cleaner.
Although, I've heard that the '04.5/'05's dirty up the oil faster.

Regarding the $34,000 for a 50K mile '04 sounds very expensive. My '03, 3500, QC, HO, 6-sp. SLT, 4X4 with extras was less than $33,900 delivered. Taxes, license, everything. In my driveway.
Today's, Phoenix paper, has a 2500, QC, HO, Auto with extras for $29,998. And that's not such a great deal compared to what I've seen, lately.
Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

Just another thing. The 6-speeds are great. Expecially, if you are pulling a trailer. They are a very heavy-duty transmission. Very few people having problems, with them.
Joe F.(Buffalo)