'05 vs '04 update - 900 miles - observations

[CaliforniaTitan]

I was asked to post some observations comparing the 'old' '04 we had to the new '05. We have had the '05 since last Monday. We purchased the '04 in Jan of '04.

2004 - Smoke KC 4X2, O-R, B-T, U-B, Pop w/Bench, Sand/Steel, 12/03 w/VDC & ABLS 28k when traded in.

2005 - Smoke KC 4X2, B-T, U-B, Pop w/Bench, Graphite/Titanium, 10/04 w/ABLS 2Wheel 9 miles when bought - 912 miles current.

Exact differences on the new vs old:

- Off-Road Pkg
- VDC
+ Power Driver Seat
+ Rear Sonar Sensors
+ Finned Differential Cover
+ Easygate Tailgate
+ Headrest Active Restraint? Not sure how this works.
~ Relocated temp info etc to panel on overhead console vice on the mirror
~ Charcoal 18" 5-spoke wheels vice Silver 17" 7-spoke Off-Road Wheels
~ Side badging locations/badges


Observations:

Ride: Almost the same with a lil difference noted. Slightly more lean in turns (offramps) etc - believe to be due to stock vice rancho and the different size tires.

Steering - at freeway speeds feels a lil more solid. Believe this is probably due to less unsprung wight of the wheels/tires and shock difference?

Sound - Mellower sound than the '04 - definately quieter than before. Possible change in resonator or? Thought initially it was more sound deadening material but even from outside the truck it is quieter.

Rattles/Squeeks and the like - The pass side seat in the '04 was beginning to squeek. Solid in the '05 thus far. We also had a slight pillar rattle in the pass side of the '04 since delivery. Not eveident on the '05.

Acceleration - Feels the same by the butt dyno as the '04.

Brakes - The '05 has felt better since the beginning. Stiffer and less mushiness than the '04 off the bat. Will monitor this and for the judder issue as we go. The '04 first experienced judder at 8k.

Fit/Finish - Appears to have been tightened up at the factory a bit. The '04 on the roof and rear window area was a little sloppy here. The '05 welds/caulk etc are much cleaner. The spraying on the bottom of the truck looks cleaner and not haphazard as before as well. Paint is very good as was on our '04. No complaints on either there.

Tailgate - Easylift is definately a nice feature and if you guys can retrofit your '04 go for it. Definately worth it! Even PCiley and his wife tried it yesterday and can attest to the lightness.

Gas mileage - From the start here we are experiencing a bit better. The '04 first tank fillups never went over 16mpg. First tank on the '05 was 15.8 and the second was 17.02. As we drive a lot, we will be able to compare the numbers over some time here pretty soon and give a better/more firm average.

Rear Sonar - triggers around 3.5 to 4ft behind the truck. Taking some getting used to but can be switched off if you don't like it.

Power Driver seat - Defiante plus in my mind. Still manual lumbar handle.

Radio - Both trucks were equipped with the 6 disc that comes with the popular Pkg. '04 radio reception pretty much sucked the whole time we owned the truck but was 'good' enough to not be replaced in the dealers opinion. New radio has excellent reception. Holds San Diego stations from 86 miles away in stereo.

Thats about all I can think of offhand. Wife definately likes the interior combo of colors much better. While not a huge difference in most regards from the '04, she definately appreciates the new features of the '05 and is happy that I did not change too much from the other truck as far as color, option pkgs and the like.

For people considering a late build '04 or an '05...I believe most of these things were corrected in the late '04s as well. The other changes with pkgs etc will determine your differences.


Comparison pictures: '04 then '05 for each.

[CaliforniaTitan]

More comparison pictures:

[Earthdog]

I have had my 05 for 3 weeks and I share you opnions. The thing I like to most over my 04 is the color I LOVE the RED.

[Ayrow]

Great post California Titan.
Nice info.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you fair on the trade-in vs. new truck? One would think that your payments went up quite a bit when trading in such a new truck so quickly. Was the dealer fair?

Thanks again.

[CaliforniaTitan]

Originally Posted by Ayrow

Great post California Titan.
Nice info.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you fair on the trade-in vs. new truck? One would think that your payments went up quite a bit when trading in such a new truck so quickly. Was the dealer fair?

Thanks again.

We paid just over $26k for the '04 back in mid Jan when there were no incentives. Trade in recieved was $19.5. We had paid the truck off late summer so we didn't have a payment. We do now again though, but the loan is for much less than the truck is worth and we also traded in another car we had a payment on. Bottom line for us...we got rid of a car we weren't using and its payment at 4.9% and insurance. Also got a check back for enought to pay off in full our one and only credit card. We got a new truck with 9 miles vice the 28k plus and our overall payment (From the car payment) went up $180 for three years total and we have 1.9% on the new loan. The '05's MSRP sticker was $1k less than our 04's due to the removal of the Off Road pkg.

The dealer was pretty fair in the trade-ins with the mileage on the truck and the blue book on the other car. The new truck was $1k off MSRP and one of the first 4 to show on thier lot. No incentives on '05 trucks from Nissan right now as they are clearing '04's which you can get anywhere from $3800 or so up to $6200 off an '04 in total including the $2k rebate currently from Nissan.

Lastly, I should add, I know I could have done better selling the truck and the other car off myself but at this point and time, I took the lazy route and negotiated the trade ins.

Chris

[towmy993]

great post. thanks for taking the time

[vw1972bugs]

Correct me if I'm wrong...those are two different trucks in the two bumper pictures. One has those two round black (sensors?) and one bumper does not. If those are sensors I am a little disapointed cause I wanted to install the back up sonar system on my truck but I didnt know I would have to drill into the bumper. Clear this up if you can, thanks.

[CaliforniaTitan]

Yes, the black sensors are in fact in holes that are in the bumper. That is why the two pictures...to show the differences between the two trucks.

Are you looking to install aftermarket or the Nissan setup? I have heard of people mounting thier sensors in the licence plate area etc.


Chris

[tnbowhunter]

Chris, is the finned diff. cover standard on all models now?
Glad your liking your new ride by the way, it looks nice.

[Titan Critter]

speaking of that new finned diff cover, i'd like to know what was changed so that it now recommends 75w140 oil instead of 80w90. did they change something in the diff? is it a whole new rear end? i'm not that knowledgable about the mechanics, but it seems odd to change the fluid for the same axle. thanks

[CaliforniaTitan]

IT is my understanding the finned cover is now standard on and after my build date (Mine is 10/13/2004). As far as the change in diff fluids....I would likely only guess that maybe the synthetic is better at disappaiting <sp> heat a little better as well? Not sure of why the change but as I understand it, a lot of people go with a synthetic in the diffs on just about every truck even if it came with 'standard' dino type.

Chris

[Titan Critter]

i understand the sythetic part. that's not a big deal, i'm concerned with the different weight of fluid. why did it go from 80w90 to 75w140?

[Mike Up]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaTitan

More comparison pictures:

Could the difference in the differential cover be that you had the higher ratio Off-Road differential in your '04 truck compared to you lower ratio standard differential in your '05? I've heard some say that their dealer's '05 stock didn't have the finned covers.

Here in the Chicago area, there is only a couple of dealers with '05s and they're hours from me.

Have a good one.

[CaliforniaTitan]

The lower ratio is with the Big Tow Pkg on both of the trucks (both old and new). Both trucks had the same ratio.

Chris

[billaku]

Interesting: http://forums.vmag.com/grandcherokee...sages/246.html

... Although I am not an "expert" on the subject, I know that a gearset which operated correctly with 75W-90 weight oil will NOT do so with the 75W-140 oil. The thicker oil will not flow quickly enough into the gear teeth, and the teeth will effectively run without lubrication. Thicker is not always better, unless the gears were designed with clearances appropriate for the oil being used. I contacted Chrysler and Dana (the differential manufacturer) to discuss this, and found that the 3.73 gears have the same clearances as the 3.55 gears. My theory, therefore, is that the 75W-140 oil is TOO THICK for these gears. Chrysler seems to disagree, since they specify it. I use Mobil 1 75W-90 in both differentials and they are both dead quiet...


Couple interesting threads on different weight range diff fluids:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...;f=16;t=000641

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...6;t=000705;p=1


Would be good to hear from Dana, Nissan on 04, 05 differentials similarity, change, esp. gear clearance.