Easy_C

I'm looking at trading my 2002 in. Kinda want to switch to auto for drags.
Which year would you guys recommend.... 2004 or 2005... or are they both pretty much the same problem wise.
What are some of the big issues. I've found two that I'm interested in. Just want to know what to look for

'strokeThis_'07

Early 04s have the 305/555, while 04.5-05 have the 325/600. Generally speaking, it seems the 600s make more power than the 555 with the same mods (i.e. Smarty for 555 has top 130hp rating, 600/610 ratings top at 170) but other than the possible 555 engine, the 04 and 05 are the same truck. They did change manual transmissions in 05, from NV5600 to G56, but you said you wanted an auto so that doesnt affect you.

12PACK

FWIW, some 05's, like mine with a Jan 05 build date, have the NV. I believe very few have the G56 as they stopped building 05's early, around April 15, iirc. That's when I was in the market and the G56 went on restriction in the middle of March. I emailed Tomeygun for a quote around then and they had just gone on restriction.

I found my NV on a lot.

Easy_C

When did they switch from a 4 speed auto to 5 speed?

'strokeThis_'07

Yea, they changed them "mid-year" Im not sure when exactly they switched, but I think yours was made towards the end of 5600. For some reason, most of the 05s I see are G56s; occasionally Ill see an NV truck.

All trucks from 03-07 (5.9) are 4 speed autos, and they switched to a 6speed auto with the 6.7, no 5speed automatics.

Easy_C

Okay thats what I thought. I read on some other site that there was a 5 speed but i had never heard of it

12PACK

If you were building a truck on Dodge.com, you'll see a 5 sp auto, until you select the Cummins. The Hemi and the 4.7 are available with the 5 speed auto. The Cummins never was. It took forever to get more than 4 gears in the auto.

12PACK

Yep, I've got one of the last ones. A friend of mine has the same truck, also and NV and his VIN is well before mine. Remember, all the Cummins equipt rams for 05, and several years prior to that, were built in Mexico.

Most 05's you see have the G56? Interesting. Most HD rams around here have the Hemi and Cummins, of any year, are autos. I heard alot of "Why do you want a stick:" to "We haven't had a stick on this lot for a few years. Nobody wants one." I guess I'm a nobody.

OK, I'll stop yapping. I've hijacked this thread enough.

donhov

OK, think someone above said it but just to make sure, the Auto's were all the 48RE 4 speed auto transmission. They do not make a 5 speed for the diesels, just the gassers. In 07.5 they came out with the 68RFE auto 6 speed transmission mated to the 6.7 engine. The tow haul switch works different for each year from 04.5 thru the 07's though.

skynyrd

one thing to look out for on the 04's and early 05's is the intercooler having metal ends. some were made with plastic ends on the intercooler make sure you look for this.

rip 112

Any of the 03-07 5.9 engines are capable of producing like numbers. You can only go so far. The 03-04 are known for better mileage, 04.5-07 for more power. 03/04 has a smaller turbo from the factory, while the 04.5 and up have a larger one.

Easy_C

Thanks a lot guys. My friend ... and reading posts on here... made me change my mind about getting an auto. I found a 2004 that doesn't look to bad.... going to go look at it on the weekend.

http://www.carbuy.ca/used.php?s2=2&s...s1=1&vi=282227

thats the truck. Doesn't have any mods except a lift and 35's.

2003Ram

The two things on the '05s are plastic intercooler and the tow/haul function on the Auto tranny's. They come with a tow haul function but no OD lockout. They can be programmed to have OD lockout but you lose the tow haul function.