2003 3500 Diesel
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2003 3500 Diesel
Hey guys, looking for help again...
I am looking at (online so far) a 2003 RAM 3500 Dually. It has 153,000 miles on it. Would this be a good vehicle to buy or would you stay away from something with that many miles on it? Also, are there any known major issues with that year?
I really want to get a diesel, but it is damn hard to find a good used one around here (that isn't over 10 years old).
Thanks
.mz
I am looking at (online so far) a 2003 RAM 3500 Dually. It has 153,000 miles on it. Would this be a good vehicle to buy or would you stay away from something with that many miles on it? Also, are there any known major issues with that year?
I really want to get a diesel, but it is damn hard to find a good used one around here (that isn't over 10 years old).
Thanks
.mz
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Joined: Apr 2006
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RE: 2003 3500 Diesel
153,000 miles on a CTD is no problem. If the truck has been maintained properly, the engine is good for 350,000-500,000 miles with some going much longer.
You should be past the problem years of the 98&1/2 through 2002 trucks. Just have the lift pump and injector pump checked out. If it is an Auto Trans, the main week point may be the Auto Trans and TC. Be sure to have a trans shop familier with the Dodge Trans check it out.
There are many others on this forum much more knowledgeable than myself, but I did research extensively for 6 Months before I bought my 98 12 Valve this June, (AND I REALLY LIKE MY TRUCK) and spent a lot of time searching this forum, and kept a log of the interesting data. This is a great resource with a lot of very knowledgeable contributers on it, and I am just repeating what I found out during my research. If the truck is what you want, go for it, as the milage is not at all high for the CTD engine.
Ralph
You should be past the problem years of the 98&1/2 through 2002 trucks. Just have the lift pump and injector pump checked out. If it is an Auto Trans, the main week point may be the Auto Trans and TC. Be sure to have a trans shop familier with the Dodge Trans check it out.
There are many others on this forum much more knowledgeable than myself, but I did research extensively for 6 Months before I bought my 98 12 Valve this June, (AND I REALLY LIKE MY TRUCK) and spent a lot of time searching this forum, and kept a log of the interesting data. This is a great resource with a lot of very knowledgeable contributers on it, and I am just repeating what I found out during my research. If the truck is what you want, go for it, as the milage is not at all high for the CTD engine.
Ralph
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: 33.43.342, 84.21.602
RE: 2003 3500 Diesel
the 03's were the last year the cummins got good fuel mileage. and it is also the first year of the HPCR engine (High Pressure Common Rail)
good trucks, you bet. problems, front ball joints and u-joints are problematic but can be replaced easily.
the only thing I would ask is if the owner has had the valves lashed. on the cummins the first check of the engine itself happens at 150K and that is just re-lashing the valves. the ford and chevy engines only have a 150-200k life. 150K is bairley scratching the surface for the cummins
good trucks, you bet. problems, front ball joints and u-joints are problematic but can be replaced easily.
the only thing I would ask is if the owner has had the valves lashed. on the cummins the first check of the engine itself happens at 150K and that is just re-lashing the valves. the ford and chevy engines only have a 150-200k life. 150K is bairley scratching the surface for the cummins
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From: Florida
You hit the nail on the head! I have replaced all of the u-joints an ball joints with under 50k miles... an that year also has a recall on the computer an pitman arm! mine is a 5.9L diesel, 4x4,DRWD. now I have to get a half degree offset ball joint to get the wear on the passenger/front side right...PITA, considering I did it once! But the truck has never had a check engine light, never not started, it has broke a tie rod end after i replaced it with the mopar oem replacement ( which was supposedly HD )! I love the truck...oh an my truck is a 6 speed manual!