my buddy is about to step into the light and get an 03 cummins 4x4 6 speed long bed. i was just wondering what are the little things that can be annoying with the 03's. i have never really done much search on them. thanks for any info in advance.

 

I've put about 10k miles on mine and everything seems to be just fine. The U-joints did go but that is inherrent to the 6 speeds I do believe.

 

Well, mine has had the broken alternator bracket thing (revised one seems to be cast instead of sheet metal), and the buzz/vibration @2000 RPM thing (revised power steering hose), and the AC stops blowing thing (apparently revised sensor to prevent freeze up). Steering wheel was also replaced as the leather was kind of getting crumbly.

It is now starting the water runs down A-Pillars thing (door seals need replaced).

I think those are most of the issues for early 03's.

 

I have 80,000 miles on my 03. Lost 2 u joints, pinion seal and lift pump. I owned the truck since new. I am satisfied with the truck and I would buy another one. Where I live the winters are long and so is the use of #1 diesel, so I have to be extra vigilant with the use of diesel additives, other than that these trucks rock, just ask my wife, she drives it as much as I do.

 

I have an 03 4x4 6-speed SRW shortbed with absolutely no problems to speak of.....


HUMP

 

Clutch rattle....clutch disc replaced at no charge (started at 3k miles; dealer said it was covered thru 18k or 18 months....had mine swapped out at 17.9k )

R/F door window........cleaned and greased track....all is well.

NV5600 back up light switch.

That's all.
Greg

 

me too....; and mine's "an early one".

 

no trouble with mine so far except for when it was new the gear shift kept vibrating loose. I took it in and they fixed that problem. Other then that its been good for the first 46,000

 

Good luck with the water leak. Mine started leaking on the passenger floor at 31,500 miles. I took it in at 35,000 miles before the bumper to bumper expired to get the leak fixed. I took it to the dealer to show them puddles on the floor after it rained on two occasions before and after they attempted to fix it. All I get from the dealer is cannot duplicate therefore no fix and you will just have to live with it. The truck has been in four times for a total of ten days and it still leaks. DC customer service is of no help either. I have called and e-mailed many times. All they say is try to work with your dealer to find a solution or try another dealer. Another dealer will not be able to duplicate the rain conditions any better than the other one. Even though they can't duplicate with a hose you can still see the drips from above after it rains and the trails of rust. All you have to do is remove the glove compartment door as I have and it is quite obvious. DC sucks. I will never purchase another DC product as long as I live regardless of which engine is in it. I know all the manufacturers have problems but this is ridiculous. My previous Gen II had the same problem. Once the windshield was removed they found missing body seam sealer to be the culprit. The dealer supposedly had a glass installer remove and reseal this windshield but I don't believe it. There are no tell tale signs that it was done. I have been in boats that have lees water in them than these pieces of junk. You all need to cross your fingers and hope you don't have this same problem that they won't fix and tell you to just live with it. If you keep your leaky truck long term you get to look forward to a rusted out floor, hard to defrost windows and mildew smell.

 

From the previous threads about water on the floor and water running down the A pillars the first item to check is the clearance lamps. They are prone to cracking do to overtorqueing the mounting screws at the factory.

MikeyB

 

Thanks MikeyB but I wish it was that simple. It is definitely not the clearance lights. In addition to any DC product, a truck of any brand with clearance lights is now on my do not buy ever again list.

 

Only Problem here was a burst power steering pump hose when driving to MT by the way don't stop at Dave Smith Moters with a problem unless you buy from them because this problem happened when I was driving thru and all they said was bummer, it will take a week to get the part to fix it. Drove the rest of the way without power steering or brakes and the dealer in Kalispel had it fixed the next day including replacing the power steering pump. other than that have 38000 and doing fine no Leaks and is an Early 03.

 

almost 100k on it replaced brake pads 2 u joints and one ball joint thats it

 

jonesey, take the service manager on a ride through a drive through car wash.

 

Same here. A few of the early '03s had the hydroboost lines crossthreaded into the power steering pump. Eventually the fitting will fracture.

MikeyB