Looking at a 03 2500HD 4x4 QC, about 50K on the truck.
What should I know about the truck?
Anything problematic?
Its listed as a Big Horn Edition, but it doesn't seem to have the fog lights... not sure if that means anything.
How are the transmissions in the 3rd gen HD?
Are the LSD junk? (not sure if this truck has it)...
Hemi up for towing?
MPG? (guessing 11 city 15hw)...
Whats the towing capacity?
Brakes any good?
etc... please, any information would be great!!

Thanks!

 

Front end components should be checked real well, ball joints, etc. Death wobble is an issue with the HD's.
The stock LSD is not a time bomb like in the 9.25" 1500 rear ends, but still is not the best working one in the world.
The trannies in the 3rd Gens don't fail at the same rate as in the 2nd Gens, but at the same time are still an Achillies' Heel.
The Hemi produces about 100 more HP and a shade more TQ than the 5.9, and does it while getting a solid 2-3 mpg better than the 5.9s did.
Decent tower, not great, the Hemi is a wonderful mid-high end HP engine, fair low end Tq without proper modifications.
The increased caliper size on the 3rd Gens give much better stopping power over what you are used to, although warping rotors still appears to be an issue...

 

I am hoping to get some extended warranty (3 party) that will cover as much of the wear and tear parts for as long as I can afford it. Figuring at 50K its still fairly early for any of the wear and tear stuff.
I am hoping the tranny will go well in to the mid 100K's before needing a rebuild. I don't have anything for it to pull, but wife wants a mid sized camper (26-30'), to use 2-3x a year.
At the rate I drive, I put on 12K a year if that, so this truck should last me an easy 5yrs...
Thanks for the info...
The death wobble still present even with the rack and pinion?
I know the 03 still uses a track bar, but they stopped using the ball joint on one end.

my other option is a 04 F-150 5.4 4x4 4dr with 80K for a little less. I will just keep my eye out for other options, I also like a tacoma but its too small for the baby seat in the center.

 

A friend of mine has an 03 F-150. It does run well and rides decent but that 5.4 is weak as hell. He has a 27' camper and the truck struggles with it. Just thought id mention that.

 

i just got an 04 2500, and so far its been amazing. i got it with about 70k on it, and have had no problems what-so-ever as of yet (knock on wood). my first set of projects with it were changing out all the fluids, and doing plugs/wires, tires, and all the routine maintenance. its tows really well too for what i have. i have a 22' boat and wife's larger horse trailer (two horses and a tack room) and it pulls both beautifully.

my last vehicle was a 2nd gen durango, and it had loads and loads of tranny problems, and horrible mileage with the 5.9l. but i can definitely tell this tranny is a lot more solid, and the engine has a lot more power with the added bonus of better mileage.

 

How do the brakes feel? 4 wheel disc right?
How does the AC and heat hold up to climate extreme?
My 2nd gen barely keeps me comfy in summer or winter.

 

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!

 

Astro, not to hijack the thread, but a hard starting Ram in cold weather is usually caused by a small (not enough to throw a CEL) evap system leak. Trace the lines, starting at the cannister, look for cracks in hoses, particularly at the ends. A faulty gas cap can even cause it... My bet is you find and fix that, your cold starting issues will be over...

 

Great info, thanks a bunch. this is a Heavy Duty model, and from what i have read (someone please correct me if i am wrong), but the HD model had a heavier rear axle and lower (4.10??) rear end.
wow, 9mpg isn't better than what i am getting with my 5.9 but guessing thats because of your tire size?

Yeah, the F-150 is not in the same class, but what i am looking to do is to get 4 real doors, and decent towing up to 8000#'s or so. But like power, and I have read the 5.4's are sleds. I also have a limited wallet, i know I am not going to get much for my trade.

 

check on the power steering components, especially the hoses and clamps, they are known to leak but a new clamp is an easy fix.