Hey Guys and Gals,
I have a 2003 2500 QC with the CTD of course and i have a few questions about it. The first one is how do you find out what tranny and the power ratings are? I've heard that early 03's had the 47RE's and I have heard power ratings anywhere from 235HP to 305/555. How do you no if it's an early model or not? Next Question: When i hammer it down from a stop, when it shifts from first gear to second, it takes a noticeable amount of time for it to shift compared to when it shifts into the other gears. The Tach goes to about 3300 RPMs, then the engine winds down to about 3000RPM then shifts. Is this normal? I bought the truck used with 112k on it so i don't know if the original owner modified it at all other than intake and exhaust.
Thanks for your input!

 

buy a hanes or similar manual. theres a section in there on reading the vin. and decoding it. Also, look on the left side, drivers side of the engine block. there will be a white sticker on the head. it will tell you your power rating and a few other things. your power rating will determine what tranny you have. you said auto so, if that sticker say's 305 HP then you have a 48RE and if it say's 250 or 235 then you have a 47RE. And with that you will be able to determine what gears you have by telling someone on hear with an auto like your's what you rpm's are at while cruising a 70 mph. And fill our your signature in your user cp. To better help us assist you.

 

Some SO engine rigs got 48re's. Only SO's were available in CA in '03 model year

Nick

 

I filled in the info on my truck I dont know why its not showing up.

 

On the bottom of the drivers door jamb, the sticker will state the build date. Month/Yr. This will help you determine if yours is an early one.

If the 8th digit of your vin has a C, your truck is an HO so it must have the 48. If the 8th digit is a 6, you have an SO.

 

The 305/555 only came with a 6 speed. Auto's were the 250 HP. Unless there are some exceptions I'm not aware of.

Cya

 

OK so i went out and checked and the sticker on the engine says 250HP advertised and the 8th number in the VIN is a six so i know that it is a SO. The Manufacturing date is 12/02. Is that early?

 

No. I'm not sure what month they start building, maybe July, so 7/02 would be one of the early ones. Looks you're like the middle child, you know, the one's who's older than the cute one, and younger than the smart one.

 

Look in the glovebox for a trans identification. Mine is a 48 behind the SO. Don't hear of too many of them.

 

All the glove box says is 4 speed automatic.

 

Some of the late SO's got the 48RE. Maybe they ran out of 47's. The 48 was built fot the higher HP of the HO which is why the HO only came in 6 speed.

Cya

 

What is the difference between the SO and the HO and what is the difference between the 47RE and the 48RE?

 

The SO's are 235 or 250 HP and 460 TQ. The HO's are 305/555. The 47 and 48's look the same, but the 48 has stronger internals.

Nick

 

I think some of the later 03's had HO's with 48RE's

Nick

 

I knew the differences in power torque and strength but what makes them different?