I have been doing some research and I am looking into buying a v10 and I want the 3rd gen truck. The only year that I have found this option is 2003. What I wanted to know is since the v10 uses the same tranny as the diesel is there a six speed manual available or only a 5 speed (I don't want the automatic)? Is the v10 available in both the 2500 and 3500? Does anyone have this truck?How does it do, does it pull pretty strong, how is the gas milage? Are there any major problems in this year?

 

From what I've heard, the iron V-10's are great on torque, ****ty on mileage and acceleration. All it is is a extra long 360. Do you want it for it's towing power or for speed? For towing power I would try and find a CTD, for speed start a year newer and look for an SRT-10.

 

I am using it for towing power I will be towing trailers probably no more than 10,000lbs, I didn't want the CTD because I will be driving this truck maybe 1 or 2 times a month maybe 3,000 miles a year and I heard that diesels don't sit around very well. Also this truck is about $5-7,000 cheaper than the diesel. I don't really care about mileage too much since I won't be driving it much. I'm just curious to know if there were any known problems with these trucks.

 

From all I have heard no, there are really any problems with the V10's in the 3rd gen as they have been used for a while in the 2nd gen Rams, and most all of the bugs are worked out. The mileage isn't great, but either is the mileage in the Hemi, or any gas engine in a full size truck. 10k lbs. is quite a lot of weight? Are you opting for the Dually? Might be a good idea. I know that they were in the 2003 model year, and they were available in both the 2500 and 3500 models.

 

I was just going to get the single wheel 2500 or 3500 I'm going to have a hard enough time just finding the truck to be too picky. Does anyone know if it came in a 6 speed? If not would the 6 speed diesel tranny bolt right up replacing a 5 speed?