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Looking at an 03, what do I need to know

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Old 06-22-2010, 12:28 AM
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Looking at an 03, what do I need to know

It's a QCSB 4x4 2500. Has just under 76K on it and appears to have never done any serious hauling.

Aside from normal wear, what specific issues should I look for?

Thanks in advance

p.s. It's an auto....what sort of power can the 47re handle?

Last edited by sleepr tsi; 06-22-2010 at 12:30 AM. Reason: omission
Old 06-22-2010, 09:39 AM
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Are you sure it has a 47RE? My 03 3500 came with a 48Re.......
Old 06-22-2010, 01:56 PM
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i was told the auto can hold 680 foot pounds of tourque and be fine. whether is that is accuarte or not i dont know. anthing more than that then problems will start to arise.
Old 06-22-2010, 02:53 PM
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Yes some 03's come with the older 47RE. From what i've read they can't handle too much more power than stock. As far as checking things out, see if it has the updated in-tank lift pump or the factory pump mounted on the back of the fuel filter canister. If your going to upgrade the fuel system anyways it doesn't really matter though. I bought my 03 with 108k on it and it had just gotten the tranny rebuilt. A year after I got it the factory lift pump went out and I got the update kit put on. And then two months later the injectors went out. I've put on 70k miles since then and there has been zero problems other than normal wear items. I'm not saying that every truck will do that though as each one has been used differently. Good luck
Old 06-22-2010, 03:02 PM
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I have an 03 ho. Look on the top of the valve cover, if is 305 hp (ho) it will likely have the 48RE, 265? hp (so) will have the 47re.

I have 126k on my truck now. Bought it used at 70k. I had a water pump put in it at 90k under the engine warranty. I believe I have the original fuel pump on the filter housing, and not the in tank setup, but I haven't looked close at it yet. Only maintenance items I have done is ball joints, u-joints, brakes, rear axle seals. Its on the original trans. Since I have owned it its pulled about 15k miles with a 15k goose loaded up.
Old 06-22-2010, 03:26 PM
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"If your going to upgrade the fuel system anyways it doesn't really matter though"

Actually it can. Don't you have to add the draw-straw kit once the LP has been moved to the tank? Don't ever mess with anything other than a good FRAME RAIL MOUNTED lift pump. Pick your spot if you can so it'll be protected, yet easily accessible. And install a good fuel pressure gauge. Very important. Running low fuel pressure for an extended time will cost you a big injector pump repair bill.
Old 06-22-2010, 03:32 PM
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Thanks for the advice. I think I can get it for ~17K which seems to be a great deal if it's as straight as he says it is.
Old 06-22-2010, 03:50 PM
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The fuel filter mounted lift pump is really the only weak point. Those pumps are a time bomb waiting to leave you on the side of the road. If this truck has not been converted to the in-tank pump, I would install a raptor or FASS frame mounted pump immediately. All other possible issues come down to maintenance(air,oil,fuel) and whether the truck has been run at high HP/TQ levels with a programmer or chip. I would check the truck over carefully to see if there are any give-aways such as a drilled exhaust manifold or velcro marks on the fuse box.
Old 06-22-2010, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by sleepr tsi
Thanks for the advice. I think I can get it for ~17K which seems to be a great deal if it's as straight as he says it is.
I'd say that's a deal if it's clean. I payed 17 for mine with 125,000.
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