Hey , I am looking at a 2003 / 3500. dont realy know that much about that year, anthing that you guys can tell me , what to look for , what has been the problems. right now i have the 1998 12 valve, so I dont know much about the new engs, is the lift pump still a problem with that year???
Thanks guys
jman

 

Having a minor(I hope) ac issue and had a drone issue that the TSB for hydro boost hose took care of.Fine truck! Have two friends one with 90k on his and the other 150k plus and no real issues at all.Both are 03s one auto 2wd and the other is a 4x4 6 speed.

 

my 03 is a great truck, I have the SO and would like some more power but a simple chip will do. i haven't had any major problems at all in 50,000 miles (knock on wood) see if the truck is a SO or HO motor. or if its a SO see if it has the 48re or the 47re motor. you can see on the driver side valve cover the advertised HP rating. SO can be 235 (california emmsions) or 250HP. and the HO is 305 HP. also if it has a build date after 1/03 and is the SO version, it will have the 48re if it has an auto tranny.
hope this helps, good luck
Eric

 

Make sure it has a cast alternator bracket, not a stamped steel bracket. There is also a power steering pump hose TSB that helped the 2,000 rpm vibration on mine. If it has been done, you will notice a big black collar on the top of the hose.

 

Some early 2003's had the 47re trans and non HO engine. Lift pumps on the common rail trucks have also had issues, but they are now superceded to an in tank pump like the 05's have.

 

Mine been great problem free with 42k on her and all the bombing I have put on her she's been good to me. I think she knows I would never cheat on her and drive a PSD

 

In my opinion, the 2003 is probably the best version of the 3rd Gen trucks....if for no other reason than the fact that it does not come with one of those annoying "kitty cats". My '03 has 45,000 miles on it and it's never been in the shop for anything.