Problems, issues, things to look out for when buying a 3rd GEN.

[BlownGP]

Hey guys, I got a friend on another forum that's looking at a 3rd gen ram.
This one to be exact
Cars for Sale: 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Truck 4x4 Regular Cab w/ Rumble Bee in Rushville, IL 62681: Truck Details - 389359809 - AutoTrader.com

What's some things to look out for? Known issues? etc.

I have a 4th gen and know a good bit, but I am not as knowledgeable on 3rd gens.

Thanks
Steven

 

[EWC88]

Only thing I can think of at the moment is heater core and driver seat bottom. Driver seat bottom usually rips apart in cushion because of poor weld jobs. Heater core issue is the leak. Mine was leaking somewhere but luckily never found just knew because of smell of coolant. That's a expensive job for a shop to do, luckily I know someone who works at dodge as a mechanic and he did it for $200 lol.

Oh yea and dash cracking, no armor all tell him!!

 

[xb1230]

Also all of the Doors in the heater plenum, they tend to break and not allow for proper operation.

Get the VIN and validate it is a real Rumble Bee package and not a built to look like... definitely not the same value.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Some of the early dashes like to crack, supposedly some of the early 04's had the valvespring issue the 03's had (though I have over 140,000 on my 03 with no problems). As stated, the heater doors.
It looks like a real Bee, the black ones are rarer than the yellows. I would run the VIN and see if it corresponds to the dash number. If it isn't a real bee, someone went through a HELLUVA lot of trouble to make it look like one.

 

[StaLL1oN]

Will the hood on that truck fit an 03, is that the same as an SRT hood?

 

[Stangshcky12]

Will the hood on that truck fit an 03, is that the same as an SRT hood?

That hood is exactly the same as yours with a taped on hood scoop
Dodge RAM Rumble Bee Dakota SRT 10 SRT 8 Hood Scoop 11 | eBay

 

[BlownGP]

Thanks guys for the info

I will pass it on.

 

[Egress]

my one and only tip... skip the 2003 model LOL

 

[Egress]

Dodge RAM Rumble Bee Dakota SRT 10 SRT 8 Hood Scoop 11 | eBay

That thing looks so cheap.

 

[ST-8]

That thing is pricy.

 

[HemiLonestar]

That hood is exactly the same as yours with a taped on hood scoop
Dodge RAM Rumble Bee Dakota SRT 10 SRT 8 Hood Scoop 11 | eBay

Are you talking about my hood?