My new '04

[cutntrim]

Posted a pic of my new '04 GMC in the Chevy forum, so here's the new '04 2500 Heavy Duty Quad Cab I also picked up. Very nice truck (nicest I've ever been in actually) with 5.7l Hemi, plow prep pkg., loaded with all the bells and whistles. It'll be a backup truck over the winter since my main plow truck will be the reg cab GMC.

Putting on my Meyers 8' w/wings and my Buyers tailgate salter from my old '89 GMC. Had Timbrens put on up front yesterday.

[BWhite]

DO you have the 4:10 final drive ratio ?

[CNY Joe]

Sweet looking truck:D Good luck with it

[cutntrim]

No, 3.73. I took it "off the lot" so I could not custom order it. Actually, I don't believe the 4.10 is even an option with the 5.7l hemi.

The GMC does have 4.10 since I ordered it that way. Also has carpet-delete...can't imagine why a 3/4 ton heavy duty needs carpeting?

[Adams Plowing]

Sweet truck...

[BWhite]

Option Code DMF is the 4:10 axle .

[JCurtis]

Sweet two new trucks in a year...

Someone is doing something right!:zoinks


:rockon2 on dude !

[Crimedog]

GEEZ those new HD's are looking nice:shades

[sno-mover]

nice what kind of plow is it getting?

[WoofsPlow]

HEY...................That thing got a HEMI????????? :smokin

[Honest Mike]

Very nice Dodge! Do you have any old trucks still or just the 2 brand new ones now? I really like the new Dodges looks, very nice looking and mean looking at the same time. Sno-mover, he said above hes putting on his 8' Meyer plow with wings, even though Id rather see such a nice truck get a better plow. :D Good luck with both new trucks, they sure are nice ones! Mike :shades

[cutntrim]

Mike-I sold all three old trucks this summer. I'm looking forward to hopefully a LOT less downtime for repairs with the two new ones. Nice to ride in style too.:D

[Adams Plowing]

AHHHH not a meyers!!! lol j/k You'll just have to toss a fresh coat of paint on it So it can gleam like the truck... :burnout

[cutntrim]

My Fischer dealer likes to remind me daily how nice a new 8'6" V would look on the Dodge, but it's "run what you brung" for the backup rig I'm afraid.

[Lawngodfather]

Nice..I got a Cummins with 4.10's

[cutntrim]

After getting the GMC as well, my pockets weren't deep enough to go diesel. Next time...

[John DiMartino]

Nice truck Cutntrim!. Now that you have both 04 Chevy and Dodge trucks and have driven them,as of right now,if you had to choose one,or could switch to both if the better one,which would it be?

[Honest Mike]

LOL! That was a good one cutntrim! The gas motor will do just fine Im sure. Please post pics of both when the plows are hooked up, thanks! :) Mike

[cutntrim]

John - Still too early to make a decision on that. I've put just over 2,000kms on the GMC and 800kms on the Dodge. Both trucks have capable engines for what I do and both seem to be getting about the same mileage thus far. Purely on looks the Dodge wins hands down. It's a sweet truck. As far as comfort, the GMC gets my vote. The seat is deeper and that means the cushion extends right under my knees, where as the dodge is a lot shallower and less comfortable long-term. I think I'll really appreciate the difference when out plowing.

The main difference between the two is one being a quad-cab compared to the other a reg-cab. Love the interior room of the quad. It'll be interesting to see how they compare long-term and to see which I'll choose to go with when the leases expire in 4 years.

[John DiMartino]

thank you,its hard to get an honest opinion on these trucks,side by side. Good luck with them both. Johnny

[BWhite]

I am still shopping . I have found an 03 (patriot blue ) for 8400 off sticker . and I can get an 04 for 7400 off ? seems lke the 03 should be discounted a bit more . Any opinions

[Adams Plowing]

I'd go with the newer one if you can afford it it it may seem like a year but it does make a difference when it comes to resale value...

[CNY Joe]

I agree with Seth plus the 2004 should have a better interest rate if you are finiancing it.

[BWhite]

The 04 I have chosen has the Shift on the fly option . How reliable is that considering its an $545 option seems strange to have a switch rather than a lever

[Adams Plowing]

Im not really how sure how well it works i have always prefered the lever, less parts to break as far as im concerned.

[BWhite]

Just picked it up tonight

[John DiMartino]

Bioll,nice truck and nice color!!

[Honest Mike]

BWhite, what a beauty you bought yourself! You cant just post one picture and thats it though! :mad: LOL! We need more pictures and some details about the truck! Good luck with it, I hope does well for you this winter. :) Mike :shades

[CNY Joe]

Bill, great looking truck and the color is awsome. What engine did you get in it. 1 Pic is just a tease we need more pics:D

[slplow]

Bill, sweeat. That going to look sharp with the stainless x blade.

[90plow]

Shes a beauty Bill. Did you sell your other truck? What options and stuff did you get? I'd like to see some pics with that nice new X blade. Good luck with it.
Eric

[W-n-K Landscaping]

That is a sharp looking truck, and it will look even better with an X-blade on it!! Gotta get some pics posted of that when it gets done.

Bill

[cutntrim]

Very nice! I'm jealous - you're putting a new X-blade on and I have to settle for my old Meyer C-8 with new light harness. Oh well...

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by cutntrim
I'm jealous I have to settle for my old Meyer C-8 with new light harness. Oh well... This will make you more jealous.......

[cutntrim]

Ahhh, the Godfather is a cruel man.:cool:
However, I did get a pic of my '04 GMC w/plow & salter on. I'm not much of a photographer but the pic's over in the Chevy forum.

[Honest Mike]

LGF, nice addition. ;) :shades Got any other pictures? Maybe some from the side with the plow raised?? How does it handle the plow? Mike

[BWhite]

It's an 04 2500 4X4 SLT Hemi
Patriot Blue Pearl Coat Dark slate grey int
!7 " chrome wheels 265/70R 17E
options ;
Prem seat /power
light group
trailer tow
Snowplow Prep
5-45RFE trans
Electric shift on the fly
4:10 axle
Anti spin
Rear slider
clearance lamps
Leather wrapped aheel
under rail bed liner


I will get more pics soon

New trucks are always so nice . THe Hemi has a nice sound

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by Mike 97 SS
LGF, nice addition. ;) :shades Got any other pictures? Maybe some from the side with the plow raised?? How does it handle the plow? Mike Pics are in the Blizzard plow forum.

[Adams Plowing]

sounds like a nice setup dont forget to break it in a bit before ya do any hard plowing with it...

[BWhite]

Got the truck back Fri X blade is installed . Last night ran the harness for the backplow and made the connections ( its simple ). THis morning I connected the backplow to get ready tried the control NOTHING. I had my test light, my multimeter . I checked for all voltage and continuity . Everything seemed fine? I was stressing big time :mad: Finally it hit me .... I had no room to mount the solenoid . I had to mount it to the side of the plastic battery tray ( I was careful to make sure the hardware wont damage the battery ) . I had failed to ground the solenoid case itself . Ran a seperate ground and all is fine ! there is much real estate under the hood compred to my 97 Ram . THe x blzde installers have the eforce module kinda suspended in midair by its extra wiring

[BWhite]

When I picked up my truck after plow installation the front bumper lower valence was in the bed . I havent checked it out but it looks like it cant be trimmed to go back on and look halfway decent . THis true ?

[BWhite]

The new truck was a joy to use plowing . nice and tight no sea breezes .

[Adams Plowing]

Good to hear the new rig is working out for ya... you'll have to post some pics of it in action...

[Honest Mike]

Ill settle for some pics of the truck with the plow on. ;) Glad to hear its working out well for ya and you are enjoying it. Mike :)

[BWhite]

770 miles on truck The overhead computer reads an average of 3.8 to 4 MPG while plowing ( 2 storms ) . The around town / highway is 11 MPG . Pics on the way soon

[WoofsPlow]

Thanks for the update. I am very cautious when it comes to Dodge vehicles, hope you better luck than what I have experienced.

[Western22288]

bwhite what did you do with your old truck?

[BWhite]

I traded it in . I was surprised what they gave me for it . .....2500 above KBB average trade in value . When I heard the trade in value it sealed the deal

[WoofsPlow]

cutntrim - any update or opinions on the two new trucks and how they are doing? Thanks, Jim

[BWhite]

1100 miles, so far ,so good . the fuel mileage hasnt improved yet . I hope to pickup a couple of MPG. Kinda wishing I waited for the Cummins 600 but then again I dont need a towing torque monster and I have a CTS for the long trips

[cutntrim]

'04 GM vs. '04 Dodge :

Both have around 5,000kms. Mileage seems to be about equal so far, with maybe the GM a little better. Zero problems so far with the Dodge. GM had a "engine stutter" that I posted about a while ago. That has since disappeared. GM also has been "clunking" occasionally when reversing. Took it in to dealer but they weren't able to find anything wrong. Happens when I'm loaded-up with bed salter (1.5yds salt) and plow up front.

Acceleration is good in both vehicles but the Dodge has more of an instant response when depressing the pedal. The GM has a heavier pedal feel to it. Braking is good in both trucks but I'd give the edge to the Dodge. Ride comfort is better in the GM. Interior of the GM is more comfortable.

I dunno, I like both of them, but I give the edge to the Dodge so far. Time will tell...

[WoofsPlow]

Thanks for the update and good luck with both!

[BWhite]

I have an 2500 04 SLT Hemi 4:10 axle . Starting at 60 MPH I get a vibration in the steering wheel , seat , floor and it distorts the image in the rear view mirror . First trip to the dealer they balanced the tires . Still have it . The second trip to the dealer they said the vibration is due to the heavy duty nature of the truck and there is nothing thay can do . I dont buy this at all . My 97 didnt do it . It doesnt seem right to me . It seems to me if rebalancing the tires doesnt do it they dont know how to proceed . Does anybody else with a 2500 experience this same issue ?

[John DiMartino]

Bill your 97 had a CAD front axle. Starting in 02,they got rid of it,the froint axle spins full time now.If you remove your front driveshaft i bet it goes away.There is a thread on the TDR about this same thing some trucks are affected,not all of them. Ill try to dig up the thread.Id pull the front driveshaft and go for a ride to see if that where the problem is.Once you know whats wrong you can try to fix it.

[Lawngodfather]

John, I thought the front axels turned all the time if you were moving.

My '89 jeep is set up the same way my '98's and '04 Rams are.

They have a 3rd member that disconnects for 2wd, this eliminates the locking hubs. A vacuum acutuator moves a shift fork to move the 3rd member.

Anyways Bill, yes they are lost. Can you find a different dealer to go to, they all cover warrenty work, watch it though, they have a shake rattle and vibration clause to the warrenty.

[BWhite]

Thanks for trying to find that thread John . I will suggest they try removing the front shaft .
LGF , I never heard of a vibration clause . Is it a way for them to squirm out of fixing a difficult problem ?

[Lawngodfather]

Yup to keep you from coming in 100 times to fix a problem they can't find such as yours.

[John DiMartino]

Heres one thread http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=93904

[BWhite]

Thanks John, I will check it out . I called Dodge -D/C they have no current TSBs on a vibration at 60 +. They want me to go to the dealer and drive another 2500 and see if there is a difference between it and my truck - Fair enough

LGF I looked in my warranty book and I didnt see any special clauses ?

[John DiMartino]

id do it Bil,the 4.10 aggravates it too,with higher driveshaft speeds,so try to find a 4.10 truck.

[BWhite]

John ,
I read the replies and it seems like there is still no real clear answer (except on guy stated a redesigned PS hose cured his problem ). I would like to let those guys know that is happening with the Hemi too. But I am not a member . perhaps you could post something. I wonder if all those Cummins have 410's

[Lawngodfather]

I got an '04 Cummins and 4:10's no vibration.

[BWhite]

Doesnt look like a consistent problem . Always tough for them to figure out

[T-Zab]

Hey Bill My 03 Hemi with 4:10 gear no vibration problem here, just passed 20000 this week.
Todd

[johngus]

try to find a dealer with the Hunter road force balancer.we go through this every day in my dealer,you can balance the tire all day but if the road force is excessive it will vibrate no matter what you do.The balancer has a wheel that rides on the tire to check for out of round.I noticed a big difference in my suburban after matching the tires to the rims.

[BWhite]

This dealer supposed to have a Hunter GSP 9700. Having it and using it correctly are always two different things

[slowpoke]

Hey Bill,

I've got about 8,500 miles on my '03 lots of highway miles above 60. Always smooth as silk.

~jerry

[Honest Mike]

BWhite, do you have any other pictures of the new truck you could share with us, with or without the plow on would be fine. :cool: That one pic a page back was just a tease. :D Thanks in advance. Mike :)

[BWhite]

http://www.snowplowing-contractors.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=879

"Post pics of your Dodge thread "



Mike ,I posted 5 pics here a while ago , Bill

[Honest Mike]

Sorry Bill, I must have never seen them before. :( I will go look right now though! :D Mike :)

[BWhite]

Gas mileage update .......... 2200 miles ,still not seeing more than 10MPG

[T-Zab]

Thats horrible mileage, I thought I was bad at 11.2 average.
Allthouth I did get 13.6 last week on the highway heading too central IL.
I also have the 4:10 gear.
Todd

[BWhite]

Its been 6 months -2200 miles so I had to change the oil . I used mobil 1 Maybe I will see one more MPG

[SIPLOWGUY]

Very, very nice! Keep Moparin'!

[slplow]

Bill are you still getting the vibration ? When I worked for GM, they sent me to school for this. Put your wife in the truck and you take the car. Take a ride on 495. Fallow her and take a look at the tires. See if they wobble. You could have a tire with a bad belt in it. Even though the tires are balanced, the waight of the truck can through it off at high speeds. There are other things that can cause this, a Faulty drive shaft, ( the waights could have been improperly installed at the factory) bad tranny mounts, engine mounts.
Another thing to try in the driveway, rev the engine up to highway rpms and keep it there. If the truck shacks there, the vibration is coming from the engine not the drive train.
Hope this helps.

[BWhite]

Thanks for the help Scott. I really can use it . Yes I still have the vibration . So far I went to JK tire in Hudson ( they took the time to carefully check while I watched . The used a Hunter roadforce machine and found all 4 to be out or spec . 3 wheel/ tire came into spec after optomizing them . I called BFG and they agreed to replace the 4 th tire . While roadforcing the tires they where checked for run out / belt separation So tires are in roadforce spec . Now its back to the dealer when I get time . I am not to sure they will have a clue . I will try what you recommended and ask you where to go from there
Billl

[BWhite]

Mileage update .. 3000 miles did an oil change to Mobill 1 . I m now seeing 11.5 to 12 MPG ...getting better

[Lawngodfather]

15,000 miles no vibration 15-16mpg 4:10s in the rear.

Heck made a trip to KY got 540 miles on 29 gallons

[Honest Mike]

Bill, any new news on your vibration problem?? Balancing the tires and replacing the 4th one didnt do it, so whats next? When you are on the highway and you feel the vibration, try putting the gear selector up into nuetral and see if anything changes. Mike

[BWhite]

I havent had the time to do anything about it :(

[PSDF350]

i had an 01 f150 that also had a vibration, that was never fixed:( hated that truck. i think alot of it had to do with the vibration. hope your is fixed.

[sbrennan007]

Originally posted by BWhite
I havent had the time to do anything about it :(

BWhite-

Hows that truck handle the weight of the plow? I just bought a 2004.5 2500 Quad Cab with the Cummins Diesel.

I have an 8' Western Poly Pro Plow for it. I have already installed the Timbrens.

Thanks!

[BWhite]

The truck handles the X-Blade plow with no problem . Timbrens are not needed . The back plow gives a nice weight balance

[BWhite]

Found this info on another site


The new 545RFE transmission used on the 4.7 and Hemi equipped RAMs in significantly different and has not had and issues so far. Your truck with the 5.9 has problably got the 46RE. It utilizes an overdrive lock-out which should be used when towing heavy loads. In 2002 transmissions shifts were strictly temperature dependent. Coupled with a change to a larger capacity pump issues of overdrive lubrication starvation are practically non-existent today. The valve bodies were completely redesigned in '98. Issues with shift solenoids are now very low and the electrical connections now have high environmental integrity. The anti-drain back valve can still be a problem if the fluid gets dirty. Chrysler has added electronic circuitry to sense flow.



The 545RFE does not use mechanical accumulators to control clutch engagement, so one traditional source of loss has been eliminated in the new series. Actually, the 545RFE does have six forward speeds now, it just that only five are used for the vehicles normal (start-to-road speed) sequential shift pattern.


The rumor is that the next generation of Dodge truck automatics will be based on the 545RFE design.





to a certain extent lower gearing has occurred through higher numerical rear axle ratios where the overdrive transmission ratios make up for the lower gearing in the final drive ratio. Most manufacturers still use approximately a 3.00-to-1 first gear ratio, but now with higher numerical axle ratios.

5-45RFE stands for

5 = number of forward sequential speeds
4 = number of forward non-overdrive gears
5 = torque rating (500 lbs. ft.)
R = rear wheel drive
FE = fully electronic


Please be advised that the 545RFE is actually a six speed transmission. There are two second gear speeds - 1.67:1 and 1.50:1.


For current series it works like this:


1st # = number of forward sequential speeds
2nd # = approximate torque rating in one-hundred pounds/feet


1st alpha = R (rear wheel drive), L (longitudinal front wheel drive), T (transverse front wheel drive)


2nd alpha = E (electronic shift control), H (hydraulic shift control)


For older series the letter "A" was used for all transmissions, manuals included. The following digits simply represented a design series.