I'm new to Dodge and have never owned one, but I love the style of the Rams and right now a deal can be had on a used Ram.

I'm considering the purchase of a 2003 Dodge Dixie Custom with the 5.7 Hemi. I've searched the forum with little success finding out the differences between the 2003 Hemi and the later models. I did see someone mention that the 2003 is was the "Bastard" Hemi.

Is this an engine I should stay away from? Were there problems with this engine? .... The truck I am considering already has a little over 100K on it.

 

It was the first model year for this engine and it was a mid year release, replacing the 5.9 Magnum (360). It's a weirdo in that 03 hemis have a separate PCM and TCM, whereas 04 and up have them combined into one unit. That's why all the tuning options available are more geared towards those newer trucks. I am at about 106,500 right now and I have only ever gotten 2 CELs, gas cap and O2 sensor. It never lets me down and keeps coming back for more. The more I modify it the better it gets. But I also take care of it, so that goes along way towards longevity.

 

Plus some guys break valve springs on those 03's

 

The '03 is only referred to as a "bastard" truck because it gets no love from the aftermarket. Although it's not as bad as the '02 trucks with the 5.9 gasser in them.

Big plus with the '03s is you can kill Torque Management by simply pulling a wire. The only real problem with them is as 'Weed stated, the '03s and some early '04s have an issue with weak valve springs...

 

Is it that the springs are weak, or owners driving the crap out of them, floating the valves?

By the way, I appreciate the replies. I am looking hard for a truck and trying to get all of the info that I can on these Rams before plopping down the cash. I only have $11k to spend, so I need to make the best of it. Unfortunately it looks like my options are higher mileage trucks that have near 100k or more.

 

The springs are weak, but IMO break when being driven hard. I know a lot of guys with '03s up around 100k who have never had a spring go, but the ones that do break, always seem to be '03s or very early '04s.

For a 4x2, 4.7 you should be able to get up into the '05s for what you got to spend, but if you are looking 4x4 and Hemi, then yeah, an '03 or higher mileage '04 is about what you are looking at.

Although there are ALWAYS deals out there if you look hard enough. I bought my 4x4 '02 Grand Cherokee Overland (daily driver) in '06 with relatively low mileage (61k) and loaded for $11,250 when KBB on it was up near $20k (hell KBB retail is still up around $15k on it) because the lady got it in her divorce. She already had a Caddy and the GC was used as a "tow-behind" for their Winnebago for trips. The husband got the Winnebago and she got the Jeep with no use for it. Four years and 32,000 miles later and I could still sell it for more than I gave for it!

Keep looking...

 

I did a quick auto trader search. If you want a 4x2 you can get a pretty nice rig for that money. I found an 05 4x4 for $10,800, its a 4.7 though. Btw it only has 90K on it.

 

I cant say but I would assume it is that the springs are weaker than newer years because Im sure guys drive the **** out of other year trucks as well and not just the 03. But 6.1 valve springs are not but about $65.

 

Actually, I'm looking for a 2x4 only, but it has to be a Quad cab full size 4-doors. I'm tired of seeing everyone listing an ext cab truck as a Quadcab. I'm in GA and they are all over Craigslist and the Autotrader, but for $11K w/a V8, most have at least 90,000+ miles on them.

I missed out on a 2002 "Outfitter" edition, 1-owner, 5.9L, that had 49K original miles with a squeaky clean CarFax for $10,000. It was a beauty, but my loan approval came through on the day the truck sold.

 

Whereabouts in Ga.? I lived in Vidalia for 11 years and was the Coffee County (Douglas) Tech Consultant most of that time. I know a couple of dealers really well, might can find you a deal.