[uberingram]

2003:
Colors: Yellow, Red, Black, Silver
Power: Rated at 215hp/245tq
- SRS was an option in 03 however not very common.
- The instrument cluster gauge surrounds were chrome on some of the '03s (similar to what's also on the exports cars) vice painted silver. (Blackbird R/T)
- The very early '03 cars (~first month) supposedly got a "hotter" calibration similar to S1. (Blackbird R/T)

2004:
Colors: Yellow(Rare left over yellow bodies from 03), Red, Black, Silver, Blue (replaced Yellow)
Power: Rated at 230hp/250tq
Changes:
- Headlights now with a silver band instead of black
- Valve cover change with new PCV
- Axles strengthened sometime between Feb-March. Click here for picture.
- Coolant feed line fittings changed (see post 57 & 59)
- Larger injectors (S1 injectors)
- LSD standard
- New Venture T850 updates on the '04 trans to improve operation and address '03 concerns (internal part changes did not supersede to new numbers so without break-down and direct comparison can't say what exactly they changed/updated). (Blackbird R/T)
- Friction Modifier requirement for '04+ cars with LSD. (Blackbird R/T)
- Service supplement lowering trans fluid change interval to 18k-miles due to Friction Modifier eating ATF. (Blackbird R/T)
- Change in supplement/manuals regarding recommendation/use of M1. (Blackbird R/T)
- Tires changed from Michilen to BFGoodrich
- Sun roof optional (w/ 'oh-shit' handles)
- Kicker package optional
- Starter cables slightly different on where they mount (fried a starter when hooking it up like an 04 )
- Angled #4 spark plug wire started to become standard on newer 04's
- Standard neon foot pedals replaced with "bright" or metal pedals with rubber grommets.
- Test port with schrader valve removed from fuel rail. (note: some early 04's still had 03 style rails)
- windsheild washer squirter's spray pattern changed.
- Old style "slider" controls removed from radio sometime between 04 and 05
- VTA activation proceedures changed. Details can be viewed here.
- Sometime in either 04 or 05 the front emblem changed from a single piece to a two piece. RSchyns' 04 (build date Oct 03) is a one piece while this thread shows an 05 with a two piece front emblem.
- NGK plug info added to the emission decal on '04+. (Blackbird R/T)

2005:
Same changes as 04
Colors: Orange replaced Blue for first half of 05. Silver replaced with White in late 05
- ACR package
- Commemorative package
- 05 PCM's tend to be a bit more picky about PTB and overboost CEL's.
- Removed battery temp sensor
- Battery terminal covers. Rubber and hard plastic.
- Plastic shielding added to brake wire to prevent clutch pedal crushing the wire when fully depressed.
- warranty restricted to strictly 3 year 36000 mile power train / bumper to bumper.
- Some of the '05s have a slightly different gray printed background on the gauge face. (Blackbird R/T)
- WGA change to common Mitsu design in '05. (Blackbird R/T)
- Upper motor mount torque bracket changed (see picture).

• Different color SRT-4 on the owner's manual for all three years.

I'm sure there are other things I've missed but that's just what I've seen and/or recalled at the moment.

If you see something that I forgot please PM me and I will edit my post as quick as I can. Lets try to keep this thread free of debris.

 

[RSchyns]

'04 and '05 got the "bright" pedals

 

[stowaway]

sorry, can't sticky it for ya.


OH OH OH. fuel rail changed in 04, removed schrader valve.

 

[master_1011]

2003 has SRS seats, too.

 

[uberingram]

2003 has SRS seats, too.

Really? When I bought mine it wasn't an option. Did they add it later in 03?

 

[stowaway]

it was the only option for 03 cars.

 

[jinkly04]

srs came out in 04 only viper seats in 03 sorry

 

[stowaway]

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/6569/the-featherweights-serial-thrillers.html

Dodge seeks $19,995 for the no-extras example pictured here. (Side airbags are the only option at $275.)

 

[master_1011]

srs came out in 04 only viper seats in 03 sorry

Dude....I have an 03 with SRS....sorry.

Like stowaway said, it was the ONLY option in 03.

 

[srt-4tony]

anyone know if its true that some early 04 cars came with the weaker 03 axles? And if so how can i tell which ones i have?

 

[Tex]

dont forget the kicker system in 04

 

[master_1011]

2003 has SRS seats, too.

Really? When I bought mine it wasn't an option. Did they add it later in 03?

Honestly, the SRS seats were kinda rare in 03 and I think most of them got sent overseas to the military sales...hence why I got one with SRS when I was stationed on Guam. I bought it in June of 03.

 

[Postal]

03 Wiper fluid spray is a stream pattern.
04+ Wiper fluid spray is a fan pattern.

 

[stowaway]

anyone know if its true that some early 04 cars came with the weaker 03 axles? And if so how can i tell which ones i have?

they did come with the 03 axle design.

 

[uberingram]

dont forget the kicker system in 04

It was already on there, Tex.

List edited with changes.

 

[srt-4tony]

so how far into 04 till cars got the newer stronger axles. It would be nice to know which ones i have.

 

[uberingram]

so how far into 04 till cars got the newer stronger axles. It would be nice to know which ones i have.

That's really anyone's guess. A production line is a fluid and changing environment.

 

[NBM LS1 M6]

so how far into 04 till cars got the newer stronger axles. It would be nice to know which ones i have.

That's really anyone's guess. A production line is a fluid and changing environment.

Are we talking front or rear axle? My 2004 was built in March of 2004, i.e., presumably two thirds of the way through the model year. Is that some evidence of the newer design?

Bob

 

[stowaway]

if you find an srt-4 with a rear axle...........................

 

[NBM LS1 M6]

if you find an srt-4 with a rear axle...........................

Hmmm. Do you mean to tell me that my SRT-4 is FWD? Horrors.
:eeeek::eeeek::eeeek:

Seriously though, thanks for the clarification.

I understand.:thumbsup: