2004 ram versus 2006 ram

[ford_coupe]

looking & trying to decide on which truck to purcase. 04 has 96000 miles Nd air bags, 06 only has 79000 miles both trucks equally equipped. both trucks are florida truck 04 is 2200 cheaper than 06 . any input from you all would be appricieated in try to decide

[dirtyhandz]

So which one did ya get? Come on lets see some pictures!

[Grit_dog]

I'd get Silver over Maroon, but I like the 04 seats over the 06 seats if they're cloth.

[Durb]

2004.5 was 325/600 and does indeed have a catalytic converter. I understand they made some tow/haul switching changes later on that some didn't like. My 2004.5 just turned 90k and I would classify the engine as being in very good condition, almost fresh. I expect many more years of continued trouble free service. I do wish I had better headlights.

I would pick the one that has the exhaust brake already installed.

[Me_Again]

jmtandem wrote:

looking & trying to decide on which truck to purcase. 04 has 96000 miles Nd air bags, 06 only has 79000 miles both trucks equally equipped. both trucks are florida truck 04 is 2200 cheaper than 06 . any input from you all would be appricieated in try to decide

I would get the '06 if both were in the same condition. The '04 may or may not have 48re transmission that is better than the previous 47 that supposedly was transitioned out with the 04.5 model year. Also, the '04 may or may not have the 325/610 HO engine. The '06 for sure has the 48re transmission (unless it is a manual transmission) and the 325/610 HO engine. Also, you might want to look at the axle ratios to be sure you are getting the one you want for towing. Most duallys came with at least a 3.73 and many a 4.10 ratio.

I believe is was only the early 2003's that still had the 47RE and lower HP/TQ.

[ScottG]

All things being equal, I would get the 06. It's just a little better in many ways.

Both are a nice find though. They would sell within hours of posting where I live.

[ford_coupe]

thanks for all the replies,just checked they both have dropped there price,car faxes are clean on both trucks leaning to the 06 as its silver the 04 is plum thanks again

[Grit_dog]

Bucky, they’re in FL. Prolly Rv ers with low miles.
Either truck will be solid, same chassis, same drivetrain except if stick shift then one is an iron box , the other is aluminum with a weak factory clutch.
Power difference don’t matter, you can wake both of them up with a mild tune and the trans differences are easily overcome as well.
Bunch of other nuances if you get into the details, but apples to apples setup, I’d let condtion, Miles, price and color dictate, honestly.

[ScottG]

Advantages to the 06 are 20% better headlight output and the trans is exhaust brake approved.
Either one will have the 48Re trans (47re trans phased out in 03) and any difference in eng output is so small it's meaningless unless the 04 was a "standard output" eng.

I'd probably take the one that looks to be in the best condition but if you want to use an exhaust brake, go for the 06.

[Cummins12V98]

jerem0621 wrote:
Simple for me. The 2004 looks much much better. I’d go for the 04. Not a big fan of the funky aero head lights on the 06-08 rams. Plus you save money!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

As far as looks go, I completely agree! 3rd gen looks are my least favorite.

[jmtandem]

looking & trying to decide on which truck to purcase. 04 has 96000 miles Nd air bags, 06 only has 79000 miles both trucks equally equipped. both trucks are florida truck 04 is 2200 cheaper than 06 . any input from you all would be appricieated in try to decide

I would get the '06 if both were in the same condition. The '04 may or may not have 48re transmission that is better than the previous 47 that supposedly was transitioned out with the 04.5 model year. Also, the '04 may or may not have the 325/610 HO engine. The '06 for sure has the 48re transmission (unless it is a manual transmission) and the 325/610 HO engine. Also, you might want to look at the axle ratios to be sure you are getting the one you want for towing. Most duallys came with at least a 3.73 and many a 4.10 ratio.

[tkcrawford]

bucky wrote:
The horsepower is the same at 325 and the torque numbers are only 10 ft lbs different.
The 2006 does have a newer sensor system that allows more parameters to be read by scan gage and the like.
I would choose based on color, service history, condition, etc but would probably choose the 2006.
I am concerned about the reported mileages. What were these trucks used for? Most duallys were bought to pull and unless these were RVers or horse people I would be looking at Car Fax and other reporting services. Where registered, number of owners, salvage titles, and so on.
The biggest thing is go look and drive them. Worth the flight and time if not local. Lot of hurricanes in FL during those years.

They may not be the same. The early '04s had the 305/555 engine while the '04.5s got a power boost to 325/610, I believe. I've had both and there is a noticeable difference in the seat of the pants acceleration. You can easily tell which one this is by the label on the drivers side of the engine. I've read that the early '04s are more desirable but I'm not sure why. Must be the fact that it has zero emissions junk, I guess. Not even a cat.
I agree that I was never a fan of the big, gawky headlights of the '06 to '09s.

[jerem0621]

Simple for me. The 2004 looks much much better. I’d go for the 04. Not a big fan of the funky aero head lights on the 06-08 rams. Plus you save money!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[bucky]

The horsepower is the same at 325 and the torque numbers are only 10 ft lbs different.
The 2006 does have a newer sensor system that allows more parameters to be read by scan gage and the like.
I would choose based on color, service history, condition, etc but would probably choose the 2006.
I am concerned about the reported mileages. What were these trucks used for? Most duallys were bought to pull and unless these were RVers or horse people I would be looking at Car Fax and other reporting services. Where registered, number of owners, salvage titles, and so on.
The biggest thing is go look and drive them. Worth the flight and time if not local. Lot of hurricanes in FL during those years.

[ford_coupe]

3500 dually,cummins in both trucks