Should I get a 2003 or 2004? - Diesel Forum

MikeF350DRW · 03-14-2006, 12:02 AM

Hi all I know this question has been asked time and time again BUT: I had (note HAD) the truck in my sig. up until about a year ago when it was finally causing so many problems I ended up trading it in on a car. I now miss my truck so much that I'm in the market for a used 6.0L and I'm just hoping that I don't take a ride like I did on the last truck. Which one would you guys go for? Right now I'm looking at a 2004 King Ranch DRW with almost 60K miles for $37,000. The other is a 2003 DRW Lariat (looks identical from the one I had) with 65K miles for $31,000. I just don't know which one to get? I test drove the 04 and it shifted hard the first few miles (most likely due to it not being driven) but that quickly straitened itself out. I have not test driven the 03 though. I know the later the engine date the better, but if I had the money I'd get a 2006 but the $$ isn't quite there yet. So 03 or 04 ??? Oh and both of these trucks are stock with no gauges, chips etc. The place that I test drove the trucks has an in-house warranty of 60 days or 3,000 miles on the truck.
Thanks for your help [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Mike

OMCUSNR · 03-14-2006, 12:22 PM

Mike,

Get the VIN's & run both through OASIS. Run them both through a CARFAX, & check em both for flood damage. Drive the 03. If they both come clean through the checks, flip a coin.

See if the dealer got maint records from the previous owners. One thing I'm doing in the hopes of getting the best return for my truck when I sell in about another 200k or 8 years, is keeping records on everything done to the truck. I'm tracking milage, expenses, service, everthing in a spreadssheet & keeping all the reciepts. Even if I trade to a dealer, I'll turn over those records.

BTW my 03 is NOT FOR SALE.

YODA · 03-14-2006, 02:20 PM

Personally I would stay away from 03 and early build 04 that have the 03 engine (look for the engine sticker on the valve cover) MY 04 (Dec 03 build) is running fine

The other issue is the prices your quoting seem a tad hike - like about 5K high for that mileage

Your best bet is to try and find an 05.

deacjrt · 03-14-2006, 02:55 PM

I agree with Yoda, price seems high on the '04. You will still have plenty of warranty left on the engine (5yr/100,000). My '04 is flawless with 44,000 miles, with a build date of 03/04.

MikeF350DRW · 03-14-2006, 05:41 PM

Thanks for your resopnces [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Ya I think I'm just going to wait it out (say until the end of the year) and get a 2007. Then my credit will be much better and I will owe less on my car. That way I can also get a brand new truck (like I did the 03) and I will feel much more secure knowing that all the miles on the truck were driven by me.

Thanks again for all of your help [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]