RoadDiesel

I'm thinking about a hemi 5.7 2003 Ram 2500 4x4 gas engine, which would replace my 1997 360ci gas engine truck. I can find good deals on these vehicles, I've heard these are problematic engines, especially 2003 & up. Even a used engine from a salvage yard, is very expensive. Any comments or what have you seen?

after that I would also consider the 03 diesel ext cab to replace my current 1994. My focus first would be the gas engine 03. any comments about these 5.7 gas engines?

The name Hemi in the late 60's was a name on a car, which you would greatly respect when pulled up next to you at a stop light. Now days, its over used and worn out, almost like the other words out there like "on sale"..jmo

BigIron70

Valve springs were the biggest problem. If one breaks you run the chance of valve dropping into cylinder. Best to have them replaced if not done already, you can tell if replaced by shield on valve spring. Stock springs didn't have a oil splash shield. I was lucky on my truck the valve spring broke just a week before going out of warranty. Another problem was exhaust manifold bolts breaking and leaking. Other then that I haven't seen to many problems until you get into the MDS engines. That's another story.

ssandlin

My wife's 2011, purchased new, has not given us any problems so far but it only has 43K miles on it.

Good luck with your decision!

scuzman00

I have an 07 1/2 ton 4wd with MDS and really have had no problems with it. Truck has 247K miles on the clock and the only serious problem I had was loosing a pinion gear bearing. I still have the truck and use it for my "beater". Was gonna trade it in or sell outright, but it only cost me an extra 200 bucks a year for insurance to have a spare in case any of our other vehicles need servicing. Oh yeah, only downfall is don't expect much better than 14mpg, cause thats all it has ever gotten, even after I did 1st tune up at 187K....lol

Gary