Difference between 03 and 04

[DocAdam]

Please forgive the stupid question, but is there any difference between the 03 and 04 models?

I was planning on getting a Gen II, so all my research was in that area. Now that I drove the Gen III, my mind has been changed.

 

[sween]

03 had black brake calipers, and no floor mats and a recall. 04 had red brake calipers , floor mats and no recalls ( ithink). hope this helps

 

[sween]

*DELETED*

 

[sween]

i dunno what happened i only posted it once

 

[DocAdam]

Thanks, I was pretty sure there wasn't anything substantial but it's nice to know for sure.

Do you know what the recall was for?

 

[prevnine11ownr]

03's have stronger rods... Same cast pistons though..

 

[Viper Specialty]

03's have the same rods as 04's, for those who like to toot their own horns...heh. 05's are different.

 

[prevnine11ownr]

Hmmm...Doug Levin Must be wrong then Dan.

 

[Viper Specialty]

John- I dont know what to tell you. 2003 and 2004 use the same rod, with an AA-AD prefix due to manufacturer chages, etc. I have had an old AA as well as currently an AD in my hands. Same thing. Same price. Chrysler even specified the AD rod as the AA's replacement should it be required, since the AD was the last of the 03-04 style rod. NO WAY would a manufacturer mix rod types.

Now, I could be wrong about LATE 04's, as my car was built Feb. 2 2004, there could be a change after that- I dont know, I dont have a VIN to run.

Now, 2005's recieved a whole new rod. Half the price, based on the Hemi rod. Completely different part number, no interchangeability.

 

[Kelly06]

Weight aside, is there any advantage to the new rod?

 

[Joseph Dell]

Actually, the cranks are different too. The bolt thread is different on the 04 as opposed to the 03. I think they changed _back_ to what it was in 03 in 05...

JD

 

[SRT10]

04s' are known as "creampuffs"

 

[snampro]

what was the recall about?

 

[sween]

some 2003 srt-10s received icorrectly ground valves, resulting in loss of hp.A recall was issued. thats straight from the vipers buyers guide

 

[PaViper]

they had a service bulletin about head light problems on the 03, they also had issues with the cam bolt backing out.

 

[MannyC]

03's are about $5K cheaper to buy. That should be enough for ya right there. Use that money to get some HRE's and your 03 will outlook all those 04's.

-M

 

[DSR207]

"03 had black brake calipers, and no floor mats and a recall. 04 had red brake calipers , floor mats and no recalls ( ithink). hope this helps"

No floor mats with 04, Red brake calipers, and carpeted trunk interior

 

[SRT10]

they had a service bulletin about head light problems on the 03, they also had issues with the cam bolt backing out.

03s' didn't have any issues about cam bolts backing out. That started with the 04s'. The Recall was for headlights flashing on /off and for a hydraulic fan module that should be replaced since an internal checkball can come loose. These are easy fixes.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Weight aside, is there any advantage to the new rod?

The advantage to the new rod and crank assembly is that it is lighter, and will generate about 10 more HP on a stock engine. On the downside, it is significantly weaker for high HP applications.

 

[sween]

oops i meant to say carpeted trunk interior. thanks dsr207 for correcting me.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Actually, the cranks are different too. The bolt thread is different on the 04 as opposed to the 03. I think they changed _back_ to what it was in 03 in 05...

JD

Yes, the cranks are different, but the bolts are not from 04 to 05. The cranks are different due to new balancing for the lighter rods, as well as the Center-Block Crank Position senor relocation due to the Quad Cab having an Auto.

 

[Joseph Dell]

ahh... so this is why it is possible to use an 03 crank in a Gen II then... but not an 04 or 05. With, of course, a relocated crank-position sensor...

JD

 

[PaViper]

they had a service bulletin about head light problems on the 03, they also had issues with the cam bolt backing out.

03s' didn't have any issues about cam bolts backing out. That started with the 04s'. The Recall was for headlights flashing on /off and for a hydraulic fan module that should be replaced since an internal checkball can come loose. These are easy fixes.

My bad, I thought that started with the 03s, I just checked to see if there was a recall on mine and it wasnt listed. I'm just going to drive it and if stuff falls off, they should be able to tell where it came from.

 

[Viper Specialty]

ahh... so this is why it is possible to use an 03 crank in a Gen II then... but not an 04 or 05. With, of course, a relocated crank-position sensor...

JD

JD- you misunderstood me, as I was referring to the "cranks being different" from 03/04 VS. 05. The 04 and 05 cranks only have the bolt in common, thats it.

-03 and 04 cranks are identical other than the hub bolt
-05 cranks have the same bolt as the 04 cranks, but are otherwise completely different.

 

[SylvanSRT]

most important change is that '03's have a 7yr/70,000mile warranty and the '04's have a 3yr/36,000! probably the best reason to get an '03 over an '04 or '05, besides the money savings.

 

[Viper Specialty]

most important change is that '03's have a 7yr/70,000mile warranty and the '04's have a 3yr/36,000! probably the best reason to get an '03 over an '04 or '05, besides the money savings.

Nope, incorrect. My 2004 came with a 7/70 as well. I think it was a running 2004 change when it went to 3/36

 

[SylvanSRT]

ok i stand(sit) corrected, if i were in the market for a used SRT-10 i would be looking for the bigger warranty.

 

[DSR207]

"Nope, incorrect. My 2004 came with a 7/70 as well. I think it was a running 2004 change when it went to 3/36"

Same here...Not that it made any impact on my decision, I was thinking mods the whole time...

 

[Flexx91]

most important change is that '03's have a 7yr/70,000mile warranty and the '04's have a 3yr/36,000! probably the best reason to get an '03 over an '04 or '05, besides the money savings.

Nope, incorrect. My 2004 came with a 7/70 as well. I think it was a running 2004 change when it went to 3/36

My friend, you are correct. 04's also came with a 7/70 warranty along with red calipers, trunk mat, and 50 degree temp mark on the temp gauge (as opposed to a 40 deg. temp. mark on the 03's). The cam bolt issue only affects 04's manufactured before 01/31/2004.