I am interested in all you '03 owners' reports on your trucks so far... Could possibly be looking for one in the near future.
I am interested primarily in the drivetrain components... How many miles have you accumulated, any problems other than the norms? Anything in particular you would like to say, positive or negative about it so far?
For reference purposes, include HO/SO Auto/Manual, etc... Thanks

 

If I was you, I'd just look at all the posts in the first 3 pages and keep an eye on the signature blocks. You'll have the whole story on '03's.

Unlike on another site, we don't have an on-going gripe session on knock, fuel injectors flooding the crankcase, lemon laws being invoked, new engines, etc. You don't see many long faces or frowns here.

Keep the fluids topped off and have fun with it.

 

Delivered with Rear Axle 2 qts GL-5 missing. Ring and pinion replaced at 2000 miles.<br><br>Defective flywheel, warped and high spotted, difficulty getting it diagnosed, problem first surfaced at about 2000 miles. Clutch and flywheel replaced at 14672 miles.<br><br>Considering the number of trucks delivered I just happened to get a defective flywheel, not common. The low lube in axle was the responsibility of American Axle. My truck was Built in the first week of August, so early in the year, I expected the possibility of problems. 7/70 warranty gives you lots of tiime to have any problems ironed out. These are complex machines, the more complex, the more that can go wrong.<br><br>Runs like it should have from the beginning<br> ;D<br><br>I'm happy now. Best truck I've ever owned.<br><br>Customer satisfaction depends greatly on the attitude of the Dealer's Service Department. Choose one where they Customer Satisfaction oriented, where they treat the customer with respect. Unfortunately there are some 5-Star dealers that don't deserve 1-Star. Talk to persons in the waiting room of the Service Department you can get some very interesting insight.<br><br>Before buying go to Kelly Blue Book and build the truck you want. It will give you the Invoice Price and the MSRP (sticker price). I ordered and bought mine for $75 over invoice. I will not talk to any dealer who post by sticker &quot;Added Dealer Markup&quot;. <br><br>Good look, you will love the Ram HD CTD, best on the road<br>Kelly Blue Book

 

Mine has been pretty trouble-free since day1 (Feb. 27), with the exception of the Jacob's EBrake that was warranty replaced at 4K miles. I now have 6K miles, smooth as glass, performs great. Best truck I have ever owned. Once I began driving it, I never looked back at the decision to sell my '99 to my son and buy this '03. 8) ;D

 

No problems encountered in over 8,000 miles. Great truck.<br><br>Casey

 

Only 7300 trouble free miles so far. Dealer has been exceptional. On first oil change they also changed the steering box as it caused a stiff steering. Great truck and so far the best truck I have ever owned. Only complaint, a stiff ride.<br>Previous trucks: Fargo 1/2 ton, GMC propane 3/4 ton, two Dakotas, Jeep 1/2 ton.

 

WKener,<br> I have 11,800 miles and have had NO problems. I picked up the truck on a Monday night and left on vacation to Canada five days later. Put close to 3,000 miles on that trip without a single hickup of any type! Leaving tomorrow on a trip to California estimating 7,000 round trip. Do not have a single concern over reliability of the truck. Yes, I'm a happy camper ;D<br><br>The Boss Hog<br>(Steamboat HS class of '65)

 

9000+ miles with no problems...and I got mine in Septemeber; one of the 1st ones in Las Vegas. Mine's just the SO :-[

 

I've got a 6sp, HO with 7000 miles. Had some clatter in neutral in the begining. Sounded like the throw out bearing. Over time that has gone away. I'm happy. No complaints. THis is the 3rd CTD I have owned. Put 175K on one with 4wd and the other my daughter drives and it has over 200K on it. Wouldn't consider any other truck.

 

17000 no problems. Cruise control flash, cracked alt bracket, nothing else.

 

7500 miles. Bought last November. Had the clattering 6-spd tranny in neutral but that has gone away. Had the volt gauge freak out on me one day for no apparent reason (probably related to the TSB on the gauges) but it never recurred. The engine thumps at around 1900-2100 RPMs which seems to be common and I think is exhaust-system resonance and is a trait of the truck. Had to replace the alternator bracket (had the bent metal one, not the cast one and it cracked) as per the TSB. I did have to top up the axles when I got it but that wasn't a big deal. No real problems to speak of.<br><br>All in all it's the best truck I've ever owned. By far the best handling and easiest to keep straight on the road. I wouldn't buy any other brand.

 

12000 miles since December. Except for the low rear axle fluid level and the alternator bracket replacement, NO PROBLEMS. <br><br>Runs very well even though its the SO 250. I will upgrade the air intake with RAMAIRIII, put in a Edge EZ, gauges and maybe open up the exhaust pipes. Rides well with about 400 pounds in the bed. I use it mostly on a 60 mile roundtrip daily commute. Getting about 17.5MPG with the 3.73 rear end and auto tranny. Almost never tow.<br><br>At 75MPH on the interstate she gets 16.9MPG. <br><br>Get one, you won't regret it!! <br>

 

[quote author=RAMMANX2 link=board=20;threadid=15792;start=0#148934 date=1055512115]<br>12000 miles since December. <br><br>Runs very well even though its the SO 250. Getting about 17.5MPG with the 3.73 rear end and auto tranny. Almost never tow.<br><br> At 75MPH on the interstate she gets 16.9MPG. <br><br>[/quote]<br><br>RAMMANX2,<br><br>Is that calculated mileage, actual miles traveled/gals. fuel used, or computer reading. <br><br>Mine is the SO CARB version with 4.10 axle and 5 speed tranny. At 73 mph on 900 mile trip to L.A and back calculated mileage was 20.4 mpg. Seems like your's should do better than 16.9 mpg. I have found over 1 mpg on choice of #2 stations/brands.<br><br> :'(

 

23,1xx miles since Nov. 23 and couldn't be much happier ;D ;D<br>my mileage has gone down a little, and the clutch rattle comes and goes, so it's hard to get a diagnosis and repair at the shop.<br>But comfort, power and the Cummins ;D

 

[quote author=Rob_OBX link=board=20;threadid=15792;start=0#148983 date=1055518201]<br>the clutch rattle comes and goes, so it's hard to get a diagnosis and repair at the shop.<br>[/quote] <br><br>Rob_OBX, <br><br>Hey man, don't let them put you off any longer. Clutch related problems may be difficult to diagnose, takes knowledge, experience time and determination. Most Service Depts have test drive done by a commissioned tech who wants the easy jobs. Since a testdrive doesn't pay, he isn't going to diagnose the problem if it is evasive. So he reports nothing wrong. ???<br><br>After I switched dealers with my clutch problem, it took 90 minutes on two different days under different conditions before the Shop Foreman, salaried, had enough information to warrant disassembly. Flywheel was defective with high spots and warped. At 15K miles it drives for the first time like it should have all along. <br><br> ;D