I NEED HELP! I’ve been trying to price a 2005 3500 Dodge Cummins and today someone called with a 2004. It had a paint problem at the factory and they couldn’t sell it as new (he said he thought there was sand in the paint and they had to re-paint a fender and a door—the factory could not sell it as new). This dealership got 100 of these at auctions and they are on their last ones. It is two-toned: white with silver on the bottom (I was going to get white because it holds up better, but usually the bottom part holds up better than the hood and roof, so that’s probably OK). It has 100 miles. It has lots of options and pretty much everything I was considering except an engine block heater (they had told me it was $170 to install a new one when we spoke of this earlier regarding a different truck—I think that’s crazy for a $10 item at the factory), and it doesn’t have a cassette player (I listen to hundreds of “teaching tapes” when I travel). It only has a 6-CD player (I MUST have a cassette player). I don’t know if it has a tow/haul button (it’s an 04). I think this part might be crucial for driving in the mountains without an exhaust brake.

They want too much for it. 35,000 to start. That’s nuts. I told them I could get a new 05 for under 33,000 (that’s in Idaho—haven’t done more checking yet). I don’t know what to offer.

I need Line-X and bars to step onto to get into the truck. It’s a long bed, quad cab, 4 x 4. It has a 100,000 mile warranty on the paint because of the problem at the factory.

I NEED HELP! It will be at the dealership, an hour away, today and I will probably look at it tomorrow. It’s on its way to the dealership now (from another branch of the dealership). My experience is that these people were not good in “bargaining” on a new one. Don’t know the ramifications of paint problems nor how to evaluate a 2004 price-wise. I NEED HELP!!!

Thanks, Eileen

 

I don't know much about price but you should certainly be able to do much better than 35,000 probably closer to 30-32. As far as the stereo very easy to switch out for a cassette deck and sell the cd and be ahead of the game. My understanding is that all of the '04s have an engine block heater it is just a matter of getting the cord and hooking it up. I am sure that someone with more knowledge will speak up. As long as there is a warranty on the paint and you see it and understand it you should be pretty good. You definitely have to get them down on the price though..

Good Luck

Hondo

 

I've heard the same thing, so if they tell you they'll do it for $170 let them keep that then just find the part number for the power cord and get that instead.

 

Also find out what engine it has. 04 had 3 engine options as far as I know. 250Hp, 305HP and 325hp. Check the engine data plate to be sure. I have heard of some people being misled on which engine. The dealer will probably say, Oh yeah, its the High output.

If you want to buy new, check with Tomeygun. He is in your neck of the woods I think, and youd be hard pressed to find a better price on a new truck.

John

 

Thanks everyone. I think it's way too expensive also. I also found out the rear axle is 4.10 and my fiver will be 12,000 lbs. ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM (ie, can't go over that). I'm still thinking about what to do next. . .

Thanks, Eileen

 

you must be looking at kellog idaho. they are selling new trucks cheaper than used trucks. id say it would have to be a smokin deal to pass those guys prices up. besides youd have warrenty on your paint to

 

The block heater is there you just need to go down to your cummins shop and buy a 10 or 12 dollar cord. As far as the 4.10 rear end that is way overkill for 12000lbs. I have had abought that much behind mine with 3.73s and it couldent have cared less. There was still WAY more power than nesasary.

 

Interesting. I saw an 04 listed in my local paper last week. It didn't say which tranny it had (I want the 6 sp) so I emailed the dealer. Here's their response:

"Thanks for your interest the truck is a 2004 with a 100 miles the radio was stolen during transport from the factory so it was sent back to the factory to be replaced we purchased it from chrys corp. that's why no miles. it is a black quad cab 4x4SLT with power windows,locks,tilt,cruise,c/d and most other popular options.it has an automatic transmission. let me know what other questions you may have. "

They want $34K for it.

They sent me another note the next day telling me they have a few diesels in stock so they might have what I want. I replied 3500 qc 4x4 Laramie J package with the 6 speed. I haven't heard back from them and that was 5 days ago. 6 speeds are rare around here.

I think the build tag is still on the driver's door jamb and it will give you the build date if you don't see any paperwork on when the truck was built. Do you know the vin #? If so, the 8th digit will tell you which engine it has. If it's a 6, it's a standard output and a C is either the HO (if the truck was built before 1/1/04) or the Cummins 600 if built after 1/1/04.

 

Hi everyone, they won't go down from 33,500. I think it's too much. I'm going to let it go unless they go way down and call me.

THanks for all of your thoughts and suggestions, Eileen

 

Keep looking, you'll find exactly what you want. Good luck.

 

I have 3.54's

In a 96 Ram, and ive towed a backhoe with it, also 12 cows on a couple of occasions, and 15 horses in a 32 foot gooseneck stock trailer with 3 axles, with the low first gear, i barely knew that they were there, all of them... However with my old idi, (1993 F250, ZF5, 4x4 regularcab white, alcoa rims, straight piped 7.3 IDI, K&N and 4.10 gears) with the manny tranny and the 4.10s? MAN! nothing gives you more power to the ground feel that that combo! mainly the 4.10 gearing. Towed the same setup with that truck a few times too, and although it was faster off the line than the dodge would be, there was no comparison in any other area...

As far as your dodge goes, cant help you there, I wish you the best of luck though on your quest for a truck....

TxDiesel007

 

here in ohio they were offering a $10,000 dollar rebate off of manufactures suggested retail price on all 05 and 04

 

I gave 800 less than that for a brand new 600 in May, they are trying to gouge ya. I'd second giving tomeygun a shout, he has a link to his dealership that pops up on the top of the page here. I thought I got a real good deal, but from what I've seen on other boards, I could have done better with him, even after figuring in the drive from Central Iowa.

 

why can't you go over 12,000??

4.10 + automatic is king.

 

a $10,000 rebate is better than saving 3%