I currently have an 02 HO 4x4 2500 4WD 6 speed truck. I am considering selling it and getting a 04 DRW long wheel base 4x4 6 speed diesel with 85K on the odometer. I am taking longer and longer trips and more of them and hauling more weight.

I was curious if the 03-07 motors have the same issues as the earlier models. I replaced the stock fuel system with an Air Dog system, installed DiProcol gauges, etc. Will I need to consider doing this on the new truck? Does the 03 and up trucks run the VP or is the fuel system different?

I did some searching for what to look for but didn't come up with anything, maybe my searcher upper button isn't working. Anywho, would appreachiate any advice or suggestions as to what to look for in a 03 or 04 truck.

 

The 03 and up use a CP3 pump by bosch and virtually eliminated the old VP problems. Most will say to upgrade to 2 micron fuel filter system but there are guys here with piles of miles with stock 7 mic filters. They all have minor issues but the front end is likely the most problematic. All in all great trucks and a significant power jump from the 2nd gens.

 

The 03 and newer engines have cp3 pump. what that does is pressurize a rail system, then that sends fuel to the injectors which are electronically controlled. Totally different then the old vp pumps..also extremely reliable.. The cp3 can pretty much run on hardly any fuel pressure without hurting anything, unlike the vp u need the fuel pressure..Other then the front end problems, these common rails are hard to beat. Is that 04drw a 555 or 600 output?

 

That is a good question, how do you tell th difference?? Was there a HO package for 04?

I am glad to hear they fixed the fuel problems with the trucks. I sprung for the Air Dog system on my current truck and have been a happy camper every since. I recently put all new inner and outter Moog tie rods on the current truck and it fixed my wandering there. What sort of front end issues should I look for in these trucks?

 

They are both HO, but the model year was split, which you'll see refered to as 04 and 04.5. 04 is before Jan 1, 04 and the 305HP/555TQ HO and the 04.5 is 325/600. The 04 gets a bit better mileage and the 04.5 got a bit of a boost in power, a 3rd injection event and a cat.

Check the label on the valve cover, drivers side, for the HP rating or check the door label for the build date. The 04 still had a factory lift pump mounted on the back of the fuel filter canister that was problematic but most were retrofitted to in-tank by TSB. The 04.5 is factory in-tank.

As for the front end, they simply underdesigned them. Mine is all highway so no real issues yet at 110,000 miles but mostly everything up front needs to be maintained, unit bearings, ball joints, shocks, etc. Look for looseness or wandering while test driving. If you jack it up, be aware that the ball joints allow for some upper in-out movement. Good arguement as a buyer but shouldn't be a problem as long as it's not excessive.

If you're concerned about front end stuff after test driving, keep $2500 in your pocket from the sell price and it should cover whatever you need. Read up on death wobble here on DTR. It creeps in on a few trucks and can be very difficult to rectify, even with all new parts.

 

Although they fixed the fuel problem with the new trucks, its still wouldnt hurt to put additional fuel filtration system on. imo. If thats the 555 your gonna like the fuel mileage on that vs. the 600 which sucks alittle more fuel, as stated above by billie.