2004 hemi 1500 ram info...??

I have located a 2004 1500 2x quad with 44k one owner miles that looks and drives like a new truck that I may purchase.

What do I need to know...any issues that I should look out for??

Thanks!

Excessive rear tire wear

Not too many issues with any of the hemi trucks. 545RFE trans holds up pretty well. Some (a lot) of the Hemi's tick, like valvetrain noise, nothing to be alarmed about.

If the truck is clean and those 44K weren't built up 1 mile trips at a time it should be a good truck for you.

The only really common issue I know of on those trucks is cracked and leaking power steering coolers. Almost all of them do it at some point in time.

Never seen a power steering cooler fail on one of these trucks. I have worked on them since they were new FWIW. They are generally good rides. The limited slip (if equipped) is not very tough, the clips break and can cause damage to the carrier and to the axle housing. The HVAC doors will break from time to time causing heating and cooling issues. This can be fixed by replacing the door stops with an improved design. The hemi is leaps and bounds better than a 4.7.

I've repaired/replaced 3 on trucks in the family so far. My wifes old truck had 2 coolers replaced under warranty.

Google: power steering leaks

It has a good powertrain. I put 160k on an 06 Hemi Durango. The only engine maintenance beyond routine was a water pump and fan clutch. Oil consumption at 160k was one quart per oil change interval. Same as new. Nothing needed on the transmission. If it has the 9.25 rear keep an eye on it. Mine developed a pinion seal leak and I didn't catch it soon enough. Rebuild time. All in all, a great vehicle.

Had an 04 QC 4wd and only issue was it had the "tick" which is a non issue and also had the air door issue with the heater. Loved the truck but changed out to a 2500 diesel for towing reasons.



Russ

My 2007 Ram 1500 5.7 has been a good truck, but there have been problems.
At 59,000 miles, one of the MDS lifters failed, hanging open at times when it shouldn't. They had to replace the lifter, hone the cylinder and replace the rings on the piston. $3700 later, it ran like new. I'm at 159,000 now. Heater/Air cond have been fine. I got 119,000 miles from the rear brake pads and 123,000 from the front. Pretty odd that the rears needed replacement before the fronts, huh?
The trans slips sometimes upon a cold start, but like an old school Torqueflite, after revving in neutral it pumps up and works fine. I still have the original starter, water pump, serpentine belt and tensioner.
Spark plug service is a pisser. Half the engine sits under the windshield, and #s 5 and 7 are underneath the windshield and brake booster. It takes me just under 2 hours to change the 16 plugs!