2004 Hemi 4x4 quad cab with only 17k miles find

[dka99burb]

I ran across this today. Anybody have any knowledge/experience with them? I used to have the little brother. 4.7l 4x4 quad cab dakota and liked it a lot. An older man has it for sale.
Mileage?
Issues?
Should I grab it?

 

[Unit453]

How much is it?

 

[dka99burb]

16k
No tow package. Do you know what is different other than a hitch and wires?

 

[Unit453]

I think the whole cooling system is upgraded, much like GM trucks. Oil cooler, trans cooler, higher wattage electric fans and a larger radiator. The 4.7 is no Hemi but it's a good motor that makes decent power.

Did you plan on towing with this thing?

 

[dka99burb]

No. It is a hemi. My old Dakota was a 4.7.
I will tow some with it. Nothing too big. Just a dual axle car trailer with no more than my wife's 67 Mustang. Usually just family trips ATVs and such.

 

[Unit453]

It would do that fine. The 5.7 is a stronger motor than most people think. It its clean, I would jump on it. Or maybe offer 15k cash and see if he bites. There are a ton of upgrades you could do to make that engine scream.

 

[dka99burb]

Oh it's clean. Old couple owns it. 17k miles. Looks like they just bought it new a month ago. Been garaged since new. Confirmed mileage with Carfax.

 

[Mad Maxx]

Back when my Friend was Looking for a New Ram, he Drove the 4.7 and said it was totally Lacking Power, like couldn't even get out of it's own way. He was coming from a Ram 1500 ECLB with the 318 Motor, so it wasn't a Speed Demon either. He Settled on a Ram 2500 with the Hemi and was Happy.

Best thing to do, Test Drive it and see how it does for you.

 

[dka99burb]

It has plenty of power since it has the Hemi. I just didn't know if I should worry about the lack of the towing package. I can obviously add the hitch but is there much more to it? It was the couple's 'church every other Sunday Caddy'.

 

[Unit453]

You can probably throw on an oil and trans cooler and be done with it. I'd be more worried about the trans cooler. I would like to put one on my car as well. If you're not towing super heavy, every day and twice on sundays, I wouldn't really worry about it. I've seen some god awful contraptions pulling loads when the load puller has no business being on the road to begin with.

I think that year they were rated at 345 hp so it should have plenty of power.

 

[dka99burb]

These people I am trying to buy this truck from are strange. I am yet to meet them. The truck is in their brother-n-law's yard. I drove it today, tested to make sure 4x4 worked, let bank inspect it, and drove it back. On return trip there was a randomish ticking noise from the 4x4 shifter and it seemed to be moving alot from small bumps in the road. I told the brother in law that while I am waiting to meet the owners in person that I may take it to someone else to give me an opinion on the noise. He though it was a good idea.
The owner's wife calls me tonight (talked with her 3 times so far, never the owner himself) and she tells me that they don't want a mechanic to touch their truck. If I don't think their word and the appearance of the truck is good enough then I shouldn't buy it.
Very interesting....:WTF:
Should I worry about the noise and 'wiggle' from the transfer case shifter? I would think that the movement is direcly coupled to tranmission movment in the mounts but the sound is different.

 

[Unit453]

Nevermind a loose shifter, how did it run?

 

[dka99burb]

Seems to run fine. There is a 'whine' going down the road. I think it just has a lot of tight bearings from sitting so much. Oil change sticker said next oil change at 18,400 or June 2011. It only has 17,080 on it. Less than 2k miles in over a year. Wow. Just hit me wrong how she said they didn't want me to take it to a mechanic...:skep:

 

[dka99burb]

VIN Decode:
*M9 Cloth 40/20/40 Prem Bench Seat
166S Zone 66-Orlando
1AAS U.S. Dealer Retail
26G Customer Preferred Package 26G
2TGA Customer Preferred Package 2TG
3STA Quad Cab SXT Value Group Discount
3VTA Customer Preferred Discount
4HA Special Scheduling Condition I
4HW Pre-Spec Vehicle Order Tracking
4KZP 4X4 Tracking
594S Vehicle Order Tracking
5A6P Waterbase Paint
5AJ St.Louis North Tracking
5I4S Four Wheel Drive (4WD)/(4X4)
5ZES 6 1/2 FT. Cargo Box
5ZKS Quad Cab
5ZLS 1500 GVW
5ZWS DR-Vehicle Family
634S North Carolina State Code
6FA Paint Order Code
6USS Label - U.S. Specifications
934S North Carolina State Code
A85P 5.7L ENG (EZA)/5SPD A/T 5-45RFE(DGQ)
ALE Quad Cab Value Group
APAS Monotone Paint
BAZS 136 Amp Alternator
BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BRRS 4 Wheel Disc Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CG1S Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags**
CGDS Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts
CKES Front Seat Area Carpet
CLAS Front Floor Mats
CSPS Passenger Assist Handle
CSXP Rear 60/40 Split Folding Seat
CUES Rear Underseat Compartment Storage
CUSS Overhead Console w/Trip Computer
CVHP Front Center Seat Cushion Storage
DGES All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGQ 5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHES Man Shift-on-the-Fly Transfer Case
DJMS 205MM HD Front Axle
DMDS 3.55 Axle Ratio
DRBS Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
-DV Dark Slate Gray
EAGC All Gas Engine
EZA 5.7L V8 HEMI Engine
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GJDS Rear Fixed Window
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNMS Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
GTSS Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMX Remote Keyless Entry
HAAS Air Conditioning
HGBS Dash Liner Insulation
HGFS Floor Tunnel Insulation
I25S Route 25 - NS, Winston-Salem, NC
JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPBS Power Locks
JPDS Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
JRDP Power Driver Seat
JTHP Power 6-Way Driver Seat
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LPES Cargo Lamp
MBFS Bright Rear Bumper
MCMS Body Color Upper Fascia
MCTS Bright Front Bumper
MDAS Front License Plate Bracket
MFDS Bright Grille
MTDS SLT Badge
MURS Dodge Badge
MUSS 4X4 Badge
MWDS Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches
MXBS Front Air Dam
MXCS Front Bumper Sight Shields
NAS 50 State Emissions
NBEP Federal Tier 2, Bin 8A Emissions
NBKP EVAP Control System
NFWS 26 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHMS Speed Control
NHNP Electronically Controlled Throttle
NZDP Next Generation Engine Controller
PW7A Bright White Clear Coat
QW7S Bright White Clear Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAZP AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio
RCKP Infinity Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
RDZP Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCVP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SUAS Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBMS Tire Carrier Winch
TSRS P245/70R17 BSW All Season Tires
TZHP Michelin Brand Tires
WF1S 17" Steel Spare Wheel
WF2S 17X8.0 Steel Chrome Clad Wheels
WLYC All Steel Wheels
WMJP Center Hub
XBSS Pickup Box
XFUS Trailer Tow w/4-Pin Connector Wiring
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
YG7A 2 Additional Gallons of Gas
Z6CS GVW/Payload Rating
ZBSP Spring - Left Rear
ZCFP Spring - Left Front
ZPSP Spring - Right Rear
ZREP Spring - Right Front