hey guys.. tonight I bought a 03 DRW 2wd a/t CTD with 54K miles on it for $18,000 it was a repo with sheet metal damage to the right door and lower rocker, but it has been repaired.
what can you guys tell me about this year truck ? any problems I need to keep an eye out for
Its all stock and real clean in -out . I have a 96 6.5 chevy with util. box and am planning on putting it on the dodge(6.5 snapped the crank shaft)
thanks for any input

 

Some of the 03s had the infamous 70 mph vibe. There's a sticker on the driver's side front of the engine which will tell you the HP rating of the engine. It will either say 235 hp(California version), 250 hp, or 305 hp. Of course, the 305 hp version would be the optimum one to have. Lots of 03s had paint problems where the paint is very thin and scratches down to the primer very easily. Lots of 03s had a problem with the air filters getting filthy after just 8-10,000 miles so you just have to change it often or get an aftermarket unit.
The 03s and 04s tend to have lower EGTs than the newer ones once you start bombing which is a good thing. You probably got the Ca version which I believe has a cat which is not desireable but once you start BOMBing it doesn't really matter anyways........
Sounds like you got a pretty good deal to me.

 

Did they put the HO in the auto in 03? Thought you could only get it with the 5 or 6 speed.

 

Yes. 03 was the first year for the 48re used behind the HO.

 

Mine has the HO w/ 48re

 

To clarify, the 03 HO was equipped with the auto starting the second half of the 03 model year. The truck had to built in January of 03 in order to get the HO/auto combination. Before that is was 6-speed only for the HO.

 

This is the first I've heard of this problem on '03 trucks. My truck was built in late March of '03 and does have a dirty looking air filter, but the filter-minder guage still says OK. Did they change something on air boxes on the '04 models to correct this problem?

Is this issue documented by DC, or just something that has been noticed by '03 owners?

Thanks!

- Mike

 

I recall a thread about some folks who had the filter minder pull down to mostly used with a brand new filter... and the fix being to get a new filter minder.

 

On the earlier '03's there was a safety recall (CO2) - a reflash for a cruise control anomaly; and another TSB was for a cracking alternator bracket. My bracket is original and hasn't cracked yet (fingers crossed now...).

I never had any issues with cruise control but had the CO2 reflash done anyways.

Never had any issues with vib's or with the airbox; but then again I drilled the airbox out some and now the filter minder always says "no problemo".

Might want to check the diff's and change the oil in them just to be safe. Some folks (seemed to be mostly with 3.73's) early on reported problems with them.

Sounds like you got a good deal. Now you can save the old gal (W250) for those Friday night bombing runs....

 

Congratulations on becoming a CTD aholic,

Then cruise reflash was for man. trans..
There was a TSB for corroded connections on ECM and powersteering hose
remount.

Several 03's, mine included, have had lift pump problems. The lift pump pulls fuel from the tank and is mounted to the back of the fuel filter housing.
I would recommend a fuel pressure gauge post filter. Get a banjo bolt from Geno's garage and install it at the input of the injector pump.
Going post filter will also let you know when the filter is dirty once you get used to baseline readings.

I use fleetguard FS19579 oil filter. It has flat edges like a nut. You can buy a wrench at wally world for about $3 to remove and cinch down oil filter using a 3/8 ratchet.

Trust me it is a bear without it.

You found the best place to ask questions,get answers and a few chuckles.
Welcome aboard

 

I ditto BULABULA reply from 4/16.....I have not had any trouble that caused
a dealer shop visit. Wanting to do the fuel pressure gauge soon.