[OverKill]

Hi guys..
Im new to the site, and to Dodge trucks.
My Mitsu. Eclipse died,and I'm in need of another vehicle.
A women I work withs,stepdad has a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi for sale.
He is asking $4800 for it. It has 94,000 miles on it ,and looks in great shape.
I haven't yet,went to look it over yet,but plan on it this weekend.
I believe the price is a good deal,but could you guys let me know what to look over? "meaning any inherit problems" this truck may have.
I don't really travel much,besides back and forth to work, so I imagine,MPG isn't spectacular,but thats ok.
I added pics. she sent me.....
Much Thanks guys ...

 

[jrtubb]

Check the inside of the lower body panels, especially that lower bottom quarter behind the door. If no signs of rust then that seems like a good price if the normal stuff is ready. Check tires, belts, plugs, air filter, ask about the brakes to see when the last time they were changed.

Oh my parents have a house up on Fredonia Mountain and I bought 2.5 acres up there in July!

 

[OverKill]

Thanks neighbor,
Thanks for your suggestions

 

[jrtubb]

No problem, good luck. It does look like it has some nice options on it and looks well cared for. MPG wouldn't be great 12-15 probably, but should be pretty easy to keep nice.

 

[JoeyDBabe]

I had a 2004 HEMI Quad Cab 4x2 and I got it at about 100k miles. It was a solid truck and ran like a top. It was my first Dodge product and I haven’t driven anything since. I used to brag that there was nothing wrong with it. Because there wasn’t. I did have an issue with wearing out the seat on the driver’s side under your left leg. It happens on everyone I have seen and I’m sure its worn out on yours as well. I had an intake and exhaust on it and a few other personal options like likes and a lumber rack, but the single best modification Imade to that truck was the electric radiator fan modification. I used the Mark VII fan. you can find information on the modification all over the web. it gave me an increase in mileage and horsepower by removing the mechanical fan. I also made a modification to the transmission that was very helpful in the long run. I added a shift kit and i increased the pressure in the transmission and it gave new life and firmer shifts to the transmission. The factory transmission is a bit sloppy and slippery to keep the truck smooth. The tyranny modification helped a lot and i think prolonged the life of the unit. One thing to keep in mind, Dodge just recalled a bunch of rear end gears on unit’s manufactured from January 2004 until mid-2005. this is significant as i just has this gear lock up for no reason at about 65 and the driveshaft snapped at the u joint and the truck skidded for a short time before the joint came apart. I had no idea of the looming recall and replaced the driveshaft only to find that it cruised savier transmission damage. Transmissions aren’t cheap and at that point i went out and got a 2014 Dodge Ram truck and let me tell you it’s a dream. The old truck sits and I’m guessing I’m not going to get anywhere with Dodge and the recall other than replacing the bolt that came loose in the rear end and I’m likely going to be on my own on the rear end and transmission as it over 10 years old and I’m giving over to a firm that tracks down settlements associated with recalls. If they want to fix the Trans and the rear end , then that truck will be back on the road someday.

This is a strange issue as i have no real hard feelings for Dodge concerning the recall and I
hope for the best, I really have a thing for these trucks. The 2004 was and still could be a great truck and I really had nothing wrong with it , for the 2nd 100k miles of its life. The AC blew cold and strong and the truck pulled so many loads and trailers filled with trash and lumber and toys and all of the stuff that truck guys carry.

I would grab that 2004 truck with less than 100 k on it for 4800 and change all of the fluids change the oil often, as soon as it starts to become dark. Keep the transmission with fresh fluid and cool and drive it all of the time.

The one thing I have to be honest about is the MPG, my new 2014 gets as high as 24 on the highways and is getting well over 15 and an average of almost 18MPG.
My 2004 with a little bigger tires a 3.55 rear and a lumber rack got maybe 10 with the wind at her back. Those 3rd generations aren’t all that aero dynamic and are more like plowing through the wind rather than slicing through it.

Bad mileage or not ( And Gas is cheap right now) it takes a lot of fuel and miles to make up the difference you are saving on getting a one owner 10 year old truck with less than 100k miles on her. That HEMI motor is strong and the truck is built, so you get a seat cover for the driver’s seat and enjoy that truck every time you drive it..

Joe

 

[Mrhavoc24]

^^^This guy is spot on. Had an 04 4x4 quad cab. Averaged 10-12mpg. Traded her in at roughly 90K miles because I was tired of the poor gas mileage and slipping tranny. The dealership that took it had to replace the tranny before they could sell it.

 

[challenger13]

You guys really know your stuff. Thanks Joe for your thorough advice. Very Helpful!

 

[starquestbd22]

I know this is an old thread and there are actually several other similar threads detailing what to look for on these trucks....basically rust in the bedside over the rear wheels, broken or non-functioning HVAC doors, and cracked dashes...also possibly ball joints and tie rod ends depending on how the truck has been used. And my 04 Hemi quad cab 4x4 with 20" wheels and 3.92 rear gear averages 13.5mpg constantly. The truck pictured, being a reg cab 2wd with 17" wheels, should do better than that.

I'm curious as to whether or not the OP bought this truck. I certainly will not say it isn't but I personally have never seen a Hemi truck like that. My first thought upon seeing the pic was "4.7L". And being that someone has chosen to add cab lights to a 1500, them adding the "Hemi" badges doesn't seem that far fetched. Like I said, I'm just curious.