Hi all, I am trading in the 2002 Ford 7.3 and buying a Dodge cummins. What are the typical problems associated with the 2003/04 HO 4x4,4 door truck.

I am planning of pulling my 10k 5er and want to know if there are any special things that I need to do. BTY I m planning of buying a short bed as well.

I want to good bad and the ugly.

Thanks in advance

Jet~~~

 

I think you'll like your new truck. The H.O. is the best choice. I also strongly recommend the 6 speed. It'll have more than enough grunt to yank a 10K fiver...no sweat. The only downside to the short bed is the turning concerns while hitched up to your RV. You'll have to watch the corner of your cab while backing up and turning tight. It is possible to hit the cab with the 5th wheel. I have a short bed and solved that problem by buying a slider 5th wheel hitch. I rarely slide the hitch to it's manuevering position but it has come in handy a time or two.

If I had it to do over again, I'd get a 3500 Dually right from the get-go. Get the biggest and be done with it. You never know what you'll end up towing. You won't be sorry! Good luck!

 

[quote author=Buzz link=board=5;threadid=22940;start=0#msg215854 date=1070170499]If I had it to do over again, I'd get a 3500 Dually right from the get-go. Get the biggest and be done with it. You never know what you'll end up towing. You won't be sorry! Good luck!
[/quote]


If you do decide to do it....I'll buy your old one(the one in your description)

 

I'm not unhappy with my truck. It's just, well, you know. Bigger is better! I'll have her for at least another 8 years...that's when I retire!

 

Like they said, go with the 6 speed. I haven't heard anything bad about the new models. Look around on the 3rd generation forum and see what you can come up with. oh yea, welcome to the site!

Kimrey

 

Good choice..... you wont regret it, i have driven quite a few 7.3's up to 03's and IMPO they dont hold a candle .... come close to the cummins for reliability, power, problem free service and lower operating costs.


I have heard of a hand full of 24v trucks coming through Hobblit Haynes in Woodland CA that have had to to have thier heads replaced for dropped valve seats. But those are few and far between and should not be used as an example of poor craftsmanship on cummins' part. Honestly from what the techs have told me there they thinking that the trucks might have been bombed....burned and then unplugged for warranty work. Im no tech though. Otherwise everyone who has bought a HO over the last couple of years that i know loves them problem free 100k+ miles of service with proper maintenance and being used under harsh conditions.

Good Luck wish i could afford one right now, itll be two more years of saving.... i hate doing things on credit.

Dusty