My father in law is looking at a 2003 with 86,00km. I was wondering what the difference is in the way of fuel mileage between the two. Are there any other things other than the 47/48RE issue that i should be aware of ?

 

I am not aware of any fuel mileage differences - SO vs HO given the same tranny.

Other things to look for? The cracked alternator bracket (or fix) and the cruise control recall (CO2). I think there are/were TSB's for them. There should be a little sticker somewhere under the hood for the CO2 (there isn't on mine - I told them to leave it off); and I'm still running the original alternator bracket.

Is the truck a 2500 or 3500? I am not aware of any 47RE/48RE issue back then - it's been a while but I don't think the 48's were offered in '03? They weren't when I was shopping. I wanted a stick and never paid to much attention the slush box's. The auto 2500's got the little rear end; the sticks should have the bigger one; all the 3500's got the bigger rear.

I remember the threads about some trucks having body plugs installed, and some not. I also recall that some of the real early guys (when I got mine) with 3.73's got new ones installed.

 

The 48re tranny became available in the early spring of '03.
I would think the SO gets slightly better fuel economy since it's detuned compared to the HO. But try to get a HO, the extra power is worth it.

MikeyB

 

no real differance in mpg from SO to HO.The 48RE came out in jan of 2003.The rear ends are the the bigger ones 11.50.

 

I had a late 03 305 engine. It is a great engine. Better then the 325 engine I have now. That 305 HP engine had better response and waay better fuel mileage.

 

So the SO is a worthy engine. Now what about the 47RE ? Was it the tranny with all the issues or was that the 47RH ?

 

that truck he is looking at could have the 48Re in it with a SO. Depends on the build date. I personaly would rather have the 48RE.

 

The SO is worthy if you spend a couple bucks on it.

It's kind of a slug without performance mods though......

 

This is really starting to get to me. I ran the VIN with the forum breakdowns and it shows the SO and i called a very reputable dealer and they sent me the breakdown sheet and it also shows it as a SO with the 47RE. My father inlaw says he has called 8 dealers and they are all telling him it is a 305. What gives ? This is the VIN103KU28633J552681. Is there any way this could be a 305 ? I am under the impression they never made the 305 with the 47 tranny.

 

You are correct. The HOs have never come with a 47re trans. Only a 6 speed or the 48re. Can't help on the VIN number though.

I know everyone will recommend the HO, and yes it's got more power, BUT the SO will still pull and run just fine....

 

The vin number is actually 1D3KU2863 3J552681. I checked a site that tells you if you have any open recalls for the truck and it came up with the out of park alarm system recall. Here is the site http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice/...m%28%27R%27%29

It doesnt say what engine it has though.

On edit: I tried a vin search, but it said that the vin number was wrong. I am confused now

 

As far as dealers go, just because dealers sell them doesn't mean that the people you are talking to (especially on the phone) know what the heck they're talking about: the closest Dodge dealer here still paints "Cummings" on the windshields of the trucks on the lot.

If the VIN says its an SO with a 47RE, it probably does.

Then again, if your father in law wants to buy it, for whatever the reason - SO or HO or..., and it doesn't really matter to him, I say go for it; they're all good trucks.

 

The sticker on engine notes the power output, the sticker in the glovebox notes the options.

 

The HO has oil cooled piston crowns, a different CP3 pump (larger capacity) and I think larger injectors (not 100% pos on the injectors though.)

 

Well we can put this one to bed. It is a SO with the 47 tranny. He still went ahead and bought it. Hopefully it will be a good truck.