Nor_Cal_Angler

So I am thinking about going up to a 3rd gen...I really wanted one when I purchased my 2nd a year and a half ago, but they were holding their values REALLY well.

so where to start:

what to you all that have them, should an acceptable mileage be for the 03-05 range..I am seeing a few 03 H.O.'s in the 95-105k range...to me that is high but they are priced right...should that scare me??

I have heard about u-joints/ball joints..any other area's with problems?

hows the tranny in these things..any upgrades to hold the added power..going from 2nd gen to 305-325 Hp 3rd gens?

What are the rumor's about smog for these years..I know in CA..up through 02 there isnt going to (and I take it with a grain of salt) any smog requirements..whats going on with the 3rd's SMOG or NOT or smog at a certain year...

not really looking to go performance....I thought I was gonna with the 2nd but I ended being satisfied with just knowing that the truck is REALIABLE...probally gonna keep it simple...intake, straight pipe (LOVE THE SOUND)(unless smog is an issue) and the 900 hp incress you get from the silencer ring delet...lol.

so give me the goods, short and sweet..I really want to know about mileage concerns...how high is to high..I mean I have 135k on my 99 I average 12k a year...so to me 130k on a 03-04 seems REALLY HIGH. maybe not...you guys know more than I do.

thanks

NCA

annabelle

Lift pump for me at 128,000 miles. I have 211,000 on mine.......going strong.

rich

believe their where cal trucks in 03 from what i read. just the normal wear and tear like any other truck. the injectors are the main problem in my opinion they are little more fragile and cost more. 03 to early 05 are probaly the better trucks if you like a std tranny they dont have the g56 with the crappy overdrive ratio. ran into a guy who just bought an 05 with over a 150k on it and the only major thing was a u joint issue and the front pinion seal was leaking.

BlueOx1

I got 103000 on mine orig. ball joints,I did have to do the front axle joints on both sides and replace the hub with it stock lift pump which I'm hoping to replace in the near future.Trans are pretty good as long as you knew they didn't beat it ,I tow a 8000 lb TT and I know it's not to heavy but the trans has held up good .
Joe

slowstang232

i have a '03 w/ 210k on the clock, in the past 15,000 miles i've replaced one injector, a lift pump, and a wheel bearing. all relatively easy fixes and just kind of general wear stuff. it is leaking power steering fluid, i will have to dig into that one of these days and find out what the problem is w/ that.

overall, it is a nice truck IMO. got it for just over $14k

Nor_Cal_Angler

thanks for the responses...

so it sounds just about the same as the rest of the tried and true cummins out there...normal wear and tear items...and the tranny is sound.

I do pull a 7.5k boat maybe 10 times a year over 100 miles and from there maybe another 20 times under 20 miles so while the reason for the 2500 is to tow a "large" boat it isnt like I tow everyday or very far.

as for the "life pump" will a GDP 392 system do the trick...I really like it on my 99 it is rock steady for me there.

what years did the HP increases happen...ie. 03 I hear 250/??? 04 305/550 and on up from there...what were the HO out puts??? on an 03 and 04 and what year did the HE351c come into play.

Thanks again...and if anyone else has an opinion as to the overall durability of the 3rd gen lets hear it.

NCA

ps..Stang..you got it for just over 14k...when (year) and how many miles were on it when you purchased it???? trying to get a ball park so I know what to offer someone

CTDinMT

In '03 there were a few engines: Calif SO=235hp/460tq, non-Calif SO=250hp/460tq, HO=305hp/555. The HE351CW came out out on the '04.5 on the 325hp/600tq engine.

cameroneod

I flog the crap out of my truck every single day and the issues I've had have been relatively minor. Ball joints, power steering leak (drilled a hole in the cap and fixed that one), u-joints, etc. I replaced the original tranny (47re) with a billet job from Goerends, but I knew that was going to happen when I bought the truck. I tow very heavy, have got a hundred and forty grand on it now, with 60k of those miles modded, and she runs like a champ. I expected to buy injectors much sooner with all the talk of them failing, but mine are fine. I've owned Ford, Chevy, and Dodge and I've got to say this truck has been the most reliable.

jivemother

sorry to steal the thread, my power steering leaks also what does drilling the cap do ? how big of a hole ?

Colo_River_Ram

Do a search on power steering caps there is several threads on it..