Looking to buy 03 2500HD QC 4x4 5.7, 50K what should I lookout for?
#11
02-08-2009, 05:18 PM
Record Breaker
as for heat/ac in extreme climate, i cant comment there. i live in one of the mildest climates in the world, san diego. in fact, its been in the high 60's low 70's pretty much all "winter" so far. and in the summer, if it breaks 80 im dying!
my next step for it is going to be gears. i was really dead set on 4.56's for a while. but, now that i see just how many hwy miles i drive, im leaning more towards the 4.10's.
i too was also considering either this truck, or my father in law's 08 f-150. i was gonna get a stellar deal either way, but after i towed the horse trailer with the f-150 i jumped right on the ram.
#12
02-08-2009, 05:50 PM
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I dont know about the 2500's but my heating in the winter is amazing. I can have the fan set on the lowest speed and have the heat set at the least hot and i still have to turn it off cause I get too hot, i barely use the ac though, windows down when its warm! i cant imagine the ac/heat is much different from the 1500's.
#13
02-10-2009, 03:16 PM
I have an 03 2500 hemi and other than the mileage I LOVE it! 
As for comparing this to an F-150...not even the same class. The 2500 will handle the weight a lot better due to the heavier suspension and larger brakes. I got mine in August 2007 with a little over 65k on it. It now has over 79k and the only issue I have is it starts a little hard when the temps get down around 15 - 20 degrees. Once it is warmed up it starts perfectly. When I got it, they put new rotors and pads on and I personally re-torqued the lug nuts and the rotors are smooth as silk still. The only other issue I had was the right rear caliper hung up a couple times...new caliper and it's been perfect. I have changed all the fluids...diff's, t-case and tranny including the 2 filters. I have 3.73 gears and a LSD in the 10.5" rear. I do wish I had the 4.10's so it would tow a little better. You can find the axle ratio and LSD info in the glove box. With the 3.73's it is rated at like 8300# towing and with the 4.10's it's rated at 10,300# give or take a little.
I tow a Jayco 232 featherlight, around 5,000#, and with 33" tires I get about 8.5 mpg. I run with the OD's off and set the cruise if I am on the interstate at usually 73 mph and I don't hardly feel the trailer back there. I also carry upto a full bed of firewood and coolers in the bed of the truck.
The heat and A/C work awesome! I can roast us out in the winter and hang meat in the summer!
My total mileage so far over 12,752 miles is 9.74 mpg. A bunch of that is towing the camper or plowing snow this winter. Most of last summer I drove the truck only towing the camper!
As for comparing this to an F-150...not even the same class. The 2500 will handle the weight a lot better due to the heavier suspension and larger brakes. I got mine in August 2007 with a little over 65k on it. It now has over 79k and the only issue I have is it starts a little hard when the temps get down around 15 - 20 degrees. Once it is warmed up it starts perfectly. When I got it, they put new rotors and pads on and I personally re-torqued the lug nuts and the rotors are smooth as silk still. The only other issue I had was the right rear caliper hung up a couple times...new caliper and it's been perfect. I have changed all the fluids...diff's, t-case and tranny including the 2 filters. I have 3.73 gears and a LSD in the 10.5" rear. I do wish I had the 4.10's so it would tow a little better. You can find the axle ratio and LSD info in the glove box. With the 3.73's it is rated at like 8300# towing and with the 4.10's it's rated at 10,300# give or take a little.I tow a Jayco 232 featherlight, around 5,000#, and with 33" tires I get about 8.5 mpg. I run with the OD's off and set the cruise if I am on the interstate at usually 73 mph and I don't hardly feel the trailer back there. I also carry upto a full bed of firewood and coolers in the bed of the truck.
The heat and A/C work awesome! I can roast us out in the winter and hang meat in the summer!
My total mileage so far over 12,752 miles is 9.74 mpg. A bunch of that is towing the camper or plowing snow this winter. Most of last summer I drove the truck only towing the camper!
with the 3.73 its rated at the same amount a 1500 can tow right? I thought a newer 1500 could tow up tp 9100 lbs if it had the 17" rims...?
#14
02-10-2009, 06:13 PM
Record Breaker
+1 on checkin the steering components, if it does leak on you chances are u'd need to do the hose clamp fix on the power steering line. Also if it hasnt been replaced expect the EGR valve to go out, they are junk...its an $80 part and simple to replace. The transmission is much improved IMO compared to the previous generations. When it got to -40F (without windchill) this winter the truck started fine after sitting outside all day at work. Heater works good. A/C works great.
#15
02-11-2009, 07:10 AM
Professional
Yes, it'll be rated to around 10k towing. Even though my 2500 with 3.73's is rated the same towing as a 1500 with 3.92's, there are differences between the 2 trucks that will make my 2500 tow that weight all day every day. The differences are: rear axles, suspension, brakes, heavier duty tires and a much larger tranny cooler.
#16
02-22-2009, 01:50 PM
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#17
02-22-2009, 03:31 PM
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One thing I love about my truck is that it heats up quick even in very cold weather. After a few minutes I feel like my face is on fire.
On another note.. I think the 2500 hemis have a higher towing capacity because of the stiffer and heavier duty suspension?
However, if I were to get a 2500 or higher I would just go ahead and get a diesel. You throw a hemi in one of those big trucks and you're going to lose gas mileage and still have a lower towing capacity than a diesel.
As far as warranty goes, I would not get a chrysler or one of the big 3 warranties. They were all talking about how if their financial situation got any worse then one of the first things they would get rid of is the extended warranties.
I just got a warranty through AA Auto Warranty. They seem pretty good and with how much stuff they cover and the options you get with it the price is pretty good as well.
Anyone agree or disagree?
On another note.. I think the 2500 hemis have a higher towing capacity because of the stiffer and heavier duty suspension?
However, if I were to get a 2500 or higher I would just go ahead and get a diesel. You throw a hemi in one of those big trucks and you're going to lose gas mileage and still have a lower towing capacity than a diesel.
As far as warranty goes, I would not get a chrysler or one of the big 3 warranties. They were all talking about how if their financial situation got any worse then one of the first things they would get rid of is the extended warranties.
I just got a warranty through AA Auto Warranty. They seem pretty good and with how much stuff they cover and the options you get with it the price is pretty good as well.
Anyone agree or disagree?
#18
02-23-2009, 10:11 AM
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#19
02-24-2009, 07:12 AM
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So far its great. Tons of power, and getting new tires from the $tealer$hip today. Mods? Well, I am looking for nerf bars to help getting my kids in there, and maybe a trifold tonneau. Other than that, she will be stock.
