hey guys new to the site, just like to say this a pretty cool place.

i just have a quick question, if some could chime i opinions

i am looking to get back into dodges and thinking about an '03 that is the most i can afford if its priced right, anyway besides normal problems that are addressed in both gen's. was 03 a good year i hear alot from both sides, and just can't make up my mind? if their problematic or not!

thanks fellas

 

I have had no problems with my 03. I love this truck.

 

No problems with my '03 either. 30k miles

 

IMO, the late '03s (48RFE automatic) and the early 04's are the best trucks to have. They have no EGR, no CAT, and are easy to add power if you want. They will forever be the latest most technologically advanced diesel ever made for on road application that have no EPA mandated crapola.

 

Berak is right on. O3's have a stronger track bar set up so the front ends last better unless you are gonna mud bog them all the time. I just replaced my front ball joints and ujoints at 130k miles. Ujoints on the drive line tend to be the safety stress reliever in that they fail so that no other drive line parts do. They are cheap and easily replaced. I have an so which has several advantages and a few disadvantages. A 6speed 03 is an awesome truck. The 48re is a great stock tranny and with a valve body and a good torque converter it is a dream. If you are towing heavy or playing hard you will need a flexplate at least and a full rebuild ideally. Buy an '03 and the money you save can be used to upgrade if necessary and if funds become available. I'm sitting at 135k miles on my 03 and there are guys on here with double that. ks

 

Have an 03 so with the 47re 90000 no real problems. Front steering u joints at 81000. Make sure you check where the fan shroud rubs the radiator it makes a hole . Wish dodge would send a recall for that and not a back up alarm (how lame).

 

I also have an 03 and i could not agree more and being a diesel tech for dodge ...well ex diesel tech ive seen less problems in 03 and early 04's

 

I have a 05 and I thought aside from the HO engine, everything else was the same, manual trans, steering, suspension ETC. And the cat is a easy fix with a pipe cutter and some clamps And that 3rd injection event that was supposed to keep the kitty warm can serve to keep my exhaust brake warm.

Also in the 05 it doesn't have the pesky lift pump on the fuel filter the one that has to SUCK the fuel, it has the nice pusher pump in the tank

 

03 auto, some mods. 36K no problems what so ever. I use Marvel oil and Power service in the fuel to insure lift pump lasts.

 

I like my 03, i will keep as long as I can.
I get 26.1 mpg @ 55mph w/some city driving and 25.0 @ 65mph. this is all calculated.
No boxes, scotty ramair III, and tornado
in front of the airhorn.
I had some minor continuing problems but finely repaired.
I would buy it again even with problems

 

I've been looking for a decent 03' to early 04' and I've yet to find one with decent miles/price. If I want a truck I can drive a bit to go see, it's gonna be overpriced. If I want a truck that is 1kmi away I can get a good price, but I don't wanna fly somewhere expecting to drive back in a new(to me) truck and end up not liking it or the price and having to shell out more money on a plane ticket I shouldn't have had to buy. This is no fun, I don't think I'm ever gonna find one. Sorry for the rant, it is just frustrating.

 

Just turned 49k on my '03 H.O. 6-speed. Yeah that's not a lot of miles, but I don't drive it daily. However, if it's reading oil pressure, then it's got a trailer behind it!! One Jeep on a flatbed, two Jeeps on a gooseneck, or the toy hauler with either a Jeep or two quads stuffed inside. Or the occasional pasture harrow, fertilizer spreader, or a couple cord of firewood . Overall, couldn't be happier!!

 

"IMO, the late '03s (48RFE automatic) and the early 04's are the best trucks to have. They have no EGR, no CAT, and are easy to add power if you want. They will forever be the latest most technologically advanced diesel ever made for on road application that have no EPA mandated crapola."
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berak, how late in 03 would this occur roughly poss. july?

 

I'm very happy with my 03 so far. Only had it about 2 months, but a big improvment over my 01 1/2 ton gasser. I'll never go back to gas again.

 

I think the 48RE came out in March / April maybe? Mine was built in April I think and it was one the first. It might of even started in Jan., can't remember for sure. Any automatic after April 2003 was the 48RE for sure.

Prior to the 48RE being available, they made a distinction of SO / HO trucks which meant you could only get the HO if you got the manual shift. Once the 48RE was available to handle the additional torque, all trucks were the same (old HO designation), automatic or manual. So if you see a reference to HO / SO your generaly talking manual or 47RE auto (SO only), unless your talking Kalifornia, where they make their own rules.