Opinions on Dodge Ram 2500 with hemi.

lsttype · 09-30-2013, 08:44 PM

Well my f250 deal fell through and now I'm looking at a 2004 dodge ram 2500 with the 5.7 hemi. It has 80k miles and is rust free for 8 grand asking price. Do these trucks tow well? Anyone using one of these as their tv? What ind of mpg can I expect empty and towing? It has 373 rear end. My tt weighs 5800 empty. Thanks in advance

oobedoob · 09-30-2013, 09:07 PM

We just got a 1500 with the HEMI about a month ago so don't have a whole lot of experience to draw on but our one trip over the rockies gave me about 10 mpg towing our TT that's about 2800 lbs dry and I wasn't easy on the pedal. I'm sure someone else has more info.

Rustic Eagle · 09-30-2013, 09:51 PM

I'm not familiar with the 2004 Ram 2500 specifications, but I have to believe it will deliver adequate available Payload Capacity and Tow Weight Rating for your TT. The 3.73 gear behind the 5.7 Hemi will make for a nice TV.

Bob

clutch · 09-30-2013, 10:18 PM

That truck should work well for you. If it doesn't have the factory tow package I would look into an extra transmission cooler.

LiftedAWDAstro · 10-04-2013, 06:07 AM

I towed many miles with a 2003 Ram 2500 Quad cab 4x4 and it pulls very well. It also drinks fuel like it's water. I averaged 8 to 8.5 but I didn't baby it either. I wouldn't have gotten rid of it except the dealer offered me $10k trade in June so I jumped on it! I figured the truck wasn't worth that selling outright.

The only serious issue I had with mine was the steering. I had a couple different alignments, steering boxes and eventually needed new ball joints (second time in 20k miles) to keep it from wandering all over the road. This cost me over $1500 and that was without u-joints or wheel bearings. With that said, check the steering and handling very carefully. If you can hook the trailer up to it for a test drive, I would highly recommend doing so just to see how it handles. Mine was all over the road.

gtsum2 · 10-04-2013, 07:44 PM

The hemi will pull it no problem and u have enough payload in the. 3/4 ton. However keep in mind it likes to make its power higher up in the rpm band and it will drink fuel. I have a 2013 hemi and get 20mpg on hwy empty and about 12mpg towing a 3k lb atv trailer to and from west va. Expect 7-9 with the older hemi and more weight. The older ones weren't exactly known for stellar mpg

clutch · 10-04-2013, 10:22 PM

With 80k miles on it check the ball joints, they are a weak link in the 3rd gen Dodges. This is especially true if it is used on rough roads or off road a lot.

lsttype · 10-05-2013, 04:02 PM

Well so far I love this Dodge. It is 2wd drive so I'm hoping the ball joint issue won't apply to my truck? Do these trucks have some piston slap or noisy valve trains while warming up? It seems to be a little noisy until it warms up. Definitely not as quiet as my 5.3 in my gmc.

clutch · 10-05-2013, 08:33 PM

Ball joints most likely won't be a problem in the 2wd.

LiftedAWDAstro · 10-06-2013, 07:10 AM

Yes the engine is noisy until warm. Look up and read about the "Hemi tick" The early ones all did it. I used it as a reminder to not hammer on the engine until warmed up! LOL

lx22f/c · 10-06-2013, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsttype

Well so far I love this Dodge. It is 2wd drive so I'm hoping the ball joint issue won't apply to my truck? Do these trucks have some piston slap or noisy valve trains while warming up? It seems to be a little noisy until it warms up. Definitely not as quiet as my 5.3 in my gmc.

Sorry but no getting around the ball joint issue. They will be bad before 100,000 miles. Sorry

As for the noise be sure and keep the oil changed every 3000 miles. The 5.7 hemi's are prone to sludge when the oil is not changed regularly.

lsttype · 10-06-2013, 01:57 PM

What do you guys use for oil in these hemis? I was thinking about putting mobile one synthetic but the last owner was saying its always had valvoline. I must say that so far this is a nice improvement over a half ton. Is my auto transmission a 4 or 5 speed?

LiftedAWDAstro · 10-10-2013, 05:30 AM

I only ever ran whatever oil I got on sale. Every once in a while I would find synthetic NAPA brand cheaper than regular so it got used sometimes. Since you are going to change it every 3,000 miles anyway per the service intervals, regular oil is fine. Make sure all 16 spark plugs get changed every 30k with basic copper plugs as well. Your truck has the 545RFE 5 speed auto transmission and a full float AAM 10.5 rear end.

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