I am thinking about getting a 3500 dually to pull my 5er with. I am looking at an 04 w/60k miles, laramie package that they are asking 22k for and an 05 w/103k miles, cloth interior that they are asking 16k for. Is there any advantage mechanically to the 05 over the 04? They both seem comparably equipped except for the leather vs cloth interiors. They are both 4x4, automatic, quad cab. How will milage compare to my 97. I get 16-17 around town, 21.5 highway, and 11 pulling my 32' 5er.

 

The 04 may or may not be an H.O. motor...check the engine tag.

If it's an early 04, it will probably get a little better mileage than the 05.

Either way, your '97 will probably get better MPG than either one of them, especially since they are 4x4's.

 

I had a 97 5spd 3.54 2wd 3/4T and this 03 2wd 4.10 6spd 1T together for about a year and both got 21 empty and ~13 towing on the flat. 03-04.4 had either SO (I think 250hp) or HO (305hp) and no cat convertor. 04.5 was the start of the 325hp and had cats and a better turbo but got generally lower mpg cuz of the 3rd injector event. I think I'd go for the lower milage 04 especially if it's an HO. SO is also fine - just less (stock) power but they get the best mpg of the 3rd gens. Craig