2003 b1500 v8 - lemon or sold?
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2003 b1500 v8 - lemon or sold?
Question for the guys on here - I'm interested in picking up at 2003 b1500 with the v8 from a dealer in the area - questions are - reliability, are these vans reliable? What are the performance specs of the v8? Also - this is a conversion, so it has nice creature comforts - low mileage as well. How well does the transmission hold up? What are the common problems with these vans? I live in So Cal -so weather not an issue. Thanks,
Captain
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 515
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From: N. KY
You should be able to find a code sticker under the hood of the vehicle which will give you (when you decode them online) specifications on the size of the engine, the type of transmission and the ratio of the rear end.
I have owned a '94 B250 with a 5.9, (junked after I rear-ended a truck and bent the frame in 2008) but I had over 239,000 miles on the engine and it never leaked or used oil. I did have the tranny rebuilt after 110,000 miles, but I towed a heavy boat a lot back in those days.
I currently have a 2001, B2500 with the 5.2 engine and a 4.10 rear end. I bought it used with 130,000 and now have almost 170,000 mostly highway miles. Still does not use or leak oil, but I am starting to have an issue with the transmission. I am thinking of having a rebuilt installed soon.
I would suggest you drive the conversion van around a bit. Start and stop it a few times will driving it. Take it on the freeway and see how passing gear works, and the overdrive. See if the computer throws any codes back at you after you put on a few miles. Crawl under before your drive and after to see if it is leaking any oil after the drive.
As blackvan mentioned, rusted and corroded electrical grounds, sometimes at the computer module can be an issue on these older vans, but these can be fixed with a little elbow grease if you are up to it. They bad grounds will cause all sorts of issues that will make many mechanics scratch their heads a bunch. The rear floor on these vans, to the side and rear of the rear wheels will rust out a lot... you can crawl under, or take off a rear wheel and check for that.
Both V-8 engines, 5.9 and 5.2 are pretty solid and have been around a long time, but non-use and years passing is bad for other parts of the van. You will probably need to do some maintenance on rubber brake lines up front that deteriorate with age, collapse internally and cause front braking problems. There is an issue with the IAC on the engine getting fouled and that will manifest in getting an engine surge when idling, but again that is easily fixed with a cleanup following a sticky post on this forum. Make sure you change out the rotor and button for one with brass tips instead of aluminum and change out plug wires that get nasty and toasted in the heat of the doghouse.
Mostly my two vans with combined mileage of over 400,000 miles have been fairly trouble free and have given me lots of great trips.
Keep reading this forum, but understand this place is like sitting in the doctor's office. All you see there are sick people... but not everyone is sick all of the time or at the same time! If you do purchase this van, and then find as you drive it some issues come up, this forum is an excellent tool to find help to solve those problems... it sure has been for me.
I have owned a '94 B250 with a 5.9, (junked after I rear-ended a truck and bent the frame in 2008) but I had over 239,000 miles on the engine and it never leaked or used oil. I did have the tranny rebuilt after 110,000 miles, but I towed a heavy boat a lot back in those days.
I currently have a 2001, B2500 with the 5.2 engine and a 4.10 rear end. I bought it used with 130,000 and now have almost 170,000 mostly highway miles. Still does not use or leak oil, but I am starting to have an issue with the transmission. I am thinking of having a rebuilt installed soon.
I would suggest you drive the conversion van around a bit. Start and stop it a few times will driving it. Take it on the freeway and see how passing gear works, and the overdrive. See if the computer throws any codes back at you after you put on a few miles. Crawl under before your drive and after to see if it is leaking any oil after the drive.
As blackvan mentioned, rusted and corroded electrical grounds, sometimes at the computer module can be an issue on these older vans, but these can be fixed with a little elbow grease if you are up to it. They bad grounds will cause all sorts of issues that will make many mechanics scratch their heads a bunch. The rear floor on these vans, to the side and rear of the rear wheels will rust out a lot... you can crawl under, or take off a rear wheel and check for that.
Both V-8 engines, 5.9 and 5.2 are pretty solid and have been around a long time, but non-use and years passing is bad for other parts of the van. You will probably need to do some maintenance on rubber brake lines up front that deteriorate with age, collapse internally and cause front braking problems. There is an issue with the IAC on the engine getting fouled and that will manifest in getting an engine surge when idling, but again that is easily fixed with a cleanup following a sticky post on this forum. Make sure you change out the rotor and button for one with brass tips instead of aluminum and change out plug wires that get nasty and toasted in the heat of the doghouse.
Mostly my two vans with combined mileage of over 400,000 miles have been fairly trouble free and have given me lots of great trips.
Keep reading this forum, but understand this place is like sitting in the doctor's office. All you see there are sick people... but not everyone is sick all of the time or at the same time! If you do purchase this van, and then find as you drive it some issues come up, this forum is an excellent tool to find help to solve those problems... it sure has been for me.