bemhoff

Just picked up an 03 CCSB 4x4 6 speed with 24K miles. I survived all the lift/injection pump issues with the 98 24 valve. What do I need to be aware of on the 03's? Also would like a little more bottom end torque in the 1000 to 1600 RPM range. Don't want to do anything wild, probably add a 4" exhaust and a good intake system. What else would help me with the low end torque? Anyone have any suggestions or beaware of's? Thanks in advance

billie

24K...sweet.

Stock lift pump is on the back of the fuel filter canister and likely will only last 60-70K miles. TSB put it in the tank if done, after market are reasonable if needed. No real injection pump ssues with the CP3. Door seals are not great since the door extends above the roof line and catches cross winds. Other than the usual Dodge Ram issues, a very good year for 1st 3rd Gen out the door.

Good score.

bemhoff

Thanks Billie, but it is bitter sweet, lost a very close friend is how I ended up with it. It's just like it came off the show room floor. I've had it for about a month and only have put about 100 miles on it and have washed it 4 times.

Thanks again

michael/edge

my dad and i both have an 03. i agree bad door seals. and both out trucks when you it 70 mph something in the steering wheel rattles on the bottom left side. if you apply pressure it stops. its odd.

billie

My sincere condolences for the loss of your friend, that's always tough.

Enjoy it and treat it well in his/her honour.

bemhoff

Ok, sounds like I will need to put in a good lift pump system at about 50K miles. Any need for a low fuel warning light or gage on the inlet of the pump. What happens when the lift pump goes? I was told that it doesn't hurt the injection pump when the lift pump goes like the v44 on my old 98 did?

bemhoff

Thanks Billie, that's the idea, take care of it like he did. That is why i've been car pooling with the wife until all the salt is washed off the roads here in western PA

CRToney

I have a similar truck and have addressed those issues.

1. Airbox- Do searches on PSM or home depot air box mod. This puts a hole in the bottom of the airbox with a hose attached to it. Good for 450hp of air. These trucks defuel with hot engine air.

2. More power. Smarty Jr. Lower than stock egt and better milage. Code reader, adjust tire size and safe for stock clutch airbox and lift pump. Don't put on a pressure box.

3. Lift pump- FASS and Airdog make systems but more economical would be to put on a Glacier diesel performance pump (or another) and one of their 2 micron filter kits. These trucks need better filtration to ensure long injector life.

4.Exhaust- The '03's have 3.5" exhaust with a 4" tailpipe. I put on the newer turbo (of the '04.5 and up its a little bigger). When I did this I added the 4" to 4" exhaust elbow (stock is 4" to 3.5") the 4" down pipe and fabbed up the rest of the exhaust with hd truck parts and a big donaldson muffler. Others have done the same. If you get the exhaust elbow '04.5 and up exhaust systems will work.

5.The intake horn is restrictive, front wheel bearings go south, use a good fleetguard (I use LF 3894) oil filter. Change oil in you diffs every 15,000-20000 mi.

6. Have fun and drive her once and a while so she feels appreciated.

1-2-3

You might watch the mail for the new payment book to be arriving.

riddle family

Another thing is APPS sensor.

Also make sure you get a good fuel filter. Injectors are not cheap on these things.

papaduck

Check the alternator bracket to the engine. At 24k miles it may still have the stamped steel instead of the cast bracket. The stamped steel will crack and eventually break. Dodge will replace it for free.

rock-rod

is it a loud buzzing noise from the steering wheel around 2000 rpms?

there's a fix for that. go to the dealer and get the updated power steering pressure hose (goes from pump to brake booster). It has a big weight attached to it which acts as a vibration damper. the noise comes from some sort of hydraulic-induced vibration in the pressure hose which travels into the steering column. My '03 did it when I first bought it from the previous owner. must have drove him nuts but it was a very easy fix. now it's quiet after installing the replacement hose.

dieselfreak21

Got 155k on my 03 and here have been my problems. I still love this truck.

Starter at 32k, think that was fluke.

Lift Pump at 85k.

90K HVAC would blow on feet and defrost when on just foot or just defrost.

97k Clutch (not a defect it was the TST and my right foot)

110k drivers side grab handle broke( I weight about 225)

115K HVAC no longer blows out of feet or Defrost and A/C compressor won't stay on.

120K drivers side front u-joint fails, replaced front break pads while working on it but they still had about 20% pad left.

145K had injectors rebuilt due to hard start and random engine stalls and horrible fuel mileage and smoke at idle both cold and hot. ( i changed fuel filter religiously with 7 micron filters.) The injectors had been failing since about 110k but got progressively worse with ULSD use. I cheaped out and didn't get the 2 micron filter setup early on. It is now on order and waiting on warm weather to install and have been running fuel conditioner ever since rebuild.

150K water pump shaft bearing failed and water pump replaced.

Power and drive line is great. Interior could be better. HVAC is horrible and the engineers that designed it should be shot. Seats could be better. Dodge cheaped out on fuel filtration and the govt forces this poor diesel fuel and it cost me but i could have prevented it. Suck I should have had to do that but that life. Over all still happy with the truck and miss driving it as my daily driver.

michael/edge

thanks for the info rock-rod. the sound does get old.

C Schomer

My muffler was choked down to 3" on the inside and it sounded asthmatic when I towed and the stock turbo is also lousy. Changing the turbo and muffler did wonders to improve the entire power curve without even doing anything to the fuel. Going to the 4" elbow and downpipe is not cost effective unless you get to fairly high power. Craig