I have a 99 but Im considering an 03+ truck?

What are the quirks with the 03+ models?

For example my 99 has a 53 block prone to crack, a possible killer dowel pin ready to split my tranny open at any time...

Do the common rail engines have lift pumps or injector pumps that go bad as often as the 2nd Gen trucks? What about cracking exhaust manifolds?

I hear mileage is better with 03+ trucks too which is another reason besides the fact that I need the the extra room a Quad cab has. With Edge EZ on 1, aired tires, clean IAT, PS fuel additive and driving like Im 80 (years old not speed) I can squeeze 17 unloaded - but the wind still has to be blowing right on a few days. Guy at the pump told me he gets 23 with his 03 2500 4x4.

Is there any reason I should hold on to this 99?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

Man, I don't know about any problems with 3rd Gens, but I DO know that my dad owns a 99' and has racked up 450+K on that bad boy and hasn't had to do anything to it but regular maintenance and a few little things that obviously might need replacing on a truck that has been driving that long (I don't know any details) but nothing serious like you're describing

Derek

 

The guys getting 23mpg are running an '03 truck, 2WD. The '04.5+ trucks with the 610ftlb motor get a lot worse, but have better power.

 

I went from a nicely turned up 97 ex cab 5spd 3.54 2wd to my 03 in sig. It took a long time to get used to the electronic throttle feel and less low end tq. but the Predator fixed all that. The 6 spd and 4.10s make for an even better stump puller and awesome towing - I just pulled some stumps, too! No way would I go back, now! Mine is one of the first 03s (10-02) and I don't have any of the early 03 problems - vibration from PS hoses or driveline. The rack and pinion in the 2wds feel better than any cars I've had. The QC, quietness and the brakes are great! Mine has a little wind noise at high speed but it's not a biggie. I drove a 600 before buying this 03 and I was disappointed (in fact it was a dog) but it was a 3.73 with 35s. There's not much difference in power and I wanted the better mpg. I was getting 21 a year ago when I bought it and mpg went down to 18.5 last summer - high heat and continuous AC usage. Now it has come back to 20. I think the fuel change hurt a little. I don't have enough miles on the Predator yet to tell about mpg with it. I have doubt about a 4wd getting 23 unless he never goes over 50 mph. If you get an 03 auto, get a later one with the 48re. Craig

 

I don't get 23 in my '03 - and never have. My overall average over 55k miles is 17.5. I always take a mileage quote with a grain of salt. There are so many variables, the biggest of which is the bs factor. Similar to top speed stories of boat owners.....

I really liked the 2nd Gens (both Gen's were on the lot way back when), but held off buying a 2nd Gen because I wanted a more accessible rear seat. I was slightly underwhelmed by the quieter, more civilized sounding 3rd gen. I miss that 2nd Gen sound. I haven't had any issues with my truck - other than ahem "low mileage?" If I want mileage, I'll drive my TDI Jetta.

I certainly wouldn't "upgrade" over a little mileage improvement (perceived or real) - 'specially after talking with a guy at the pump.

There were SO's and HO's early on, 5 speeds and 6 speed manuals, and 47RE's, not all were available in all states.

I love my truck, but I still stop, watch and listen as a 2nd Gen goes by.

 

the 3rd gen's will not get the fuel mileage of the 2nd. it don't matter if you're comparin it to a 24v or a 12v. they have lower gear ratio which means your'e turnin the motor tighter, and everyone knows that these motors aren't high rpm friendly when it comes to mpg. my 06 gets mid to high 15 but i have one heavy foot most of the time.

 

while everyone tells you they get worse mileage, i had the opposite effect, i had a 02 auto with 3.54 and went from 19 empty and 13 towing. My 06 is getting 21 empty, and 16 towing. These are hand calcs, and all mileages are hwy

 

I have no issues with my 3rd gen. I have driven a few 2nd gens and don't feel the attraction.

 

My 1997 with a #10 torque plate and a Bullydog muffler w/o a cat got 19.5 Mpg at 70 mph with a 6" over cab "cap" with 2 sea kayaks on top. (1200 mile average)

It had more low end than my 2006 with smarty set at #5.

It was much more comfortable (I HATE the new seats) Grrrrrrr

250K miles on my 1997; 200K with the TST #10 note: 5 speed 3:55's Posi. 4x4

Plowed with it too.

I am trying to warm up to my 2006 G56 .. Had to put a GV overdrive to get the RPM down. Stock gearing STINKS!

If I drive the new truck the same way I did the 1997 my MPG drops to 13-14 MPG. (summer) I got 17-18 average per tank driving my 1997 hard. In the winter 15-16 MPG.

I have to really baby the 2006 to just get 18

To be fair... The 2006 is still under 10K miles and the plow mount is less air drag friendly (The old was a Minute Mount.. New is a Sno-Way that has a large mounting bar hanging under the front bumper which I also HATE!)

the gen 3 just feels HEAVY. The gen 2 I had felt peppier faster and more nimble (it cornered and handled much better) The gen 3 feels 800-1000 lbs heaver. Is it?

The old truck had the camper package so it had a stock anti sway bar. My new truck does not have this...

I also love the looks of the 1997 in Green/Silver.

I HATE the new PIG nose front grill and the headlights are not my favorite.

The 12 V was a little loud driving but I sorta liked it.

Also ... Why the black oil... My gen 2 would have clear oil for miles and miles.

Is there an easy way to bypass the EPA system that puts the carbon into the oil?

I do like the G56 and the quiet in the cab on the gen 3 is welcomed.

Maybe a SB clutch and Smarty on #7 will get me to where I need to be.

 

Agreed, stock gearing is quite low!!

The 3rd gens are about 500-1000 pounds heavier on average.

you dont have an anti-sway bar?? Are you sure? I thought those were pretty standard!!

Black oil is caused by the pilot injection, and has nothing too do with the EPA!! It is actually a cause of the quieter engine!

And yes, you need a SBC, and smart on level 9!!!

 

I know the 600 and 610s are different than my 305 but didn't know how much - besides the hp/tq. My 97 215 had an 11 plate that I ground the defueling spur down and 3 k kit. Still probably not as much bottom end as a 10 plate. Joe Donnelly tried talking me into the 10 several times - he said it was 300 hp at 2k rpm. I wanted blazing top end hp instead of the clutch frying low end tq. But I could still easily slip the stock clutch. I had both trucks for 7 months while I built the bed on the 03. I switched off driving them to work and they got nearly identical mpg. The 97 was 3.54 and the 03 is 4.10. The 305 is that much cleaner burning. My 03 oil stays clean a little longer than the 97 oil did. With the Pred on 100 hp, the 03 low end is a little weaker than the 97 and the top end is about the same. With the Predator on extreme, the 03 bottom end is about the same as the 97 and the top end is stronger. Craig

 

Agreed.
I have no problems with mine either. Love the truck.

 

Ramtd02 .. The Anti sway bar i had was in the rear.. my current truck has one in the front but no REAR Anti Sway Bar.


I think the unsprung weight is a big factor in the handling .. The 17" wheels feel heavier. If the 06 is really that much heavier it would explain the handling.

The #10 plate would smoke the stock clutch at 50% throttle at 1750-1800 RPM 300 Hp 770 Torque at a little under 2K.

It was one passing mo for... I could pass 5 cars up hill LOL.. Trans Canada 17 has limited passing. I left a lot of black smoke on that highway!

06 Smarty on #5 at 2500 starts to pull like the #10... maybe a little more.

 

for clarification, the KDP kills the gear train, not the tranny. it is easily fixable with a jig.

the L/P's on the 3rd gen just get replaced with a aftermarket setup, problem solved.

Reliability wise, the only issues have been caused by me and my "experiments"

i am over 450hp, no problems, egts issues, noise, smoke(that i didnt want ), blown injectors, get acceptable mileage.

I have had to make the proper upgrades to go along with the power enhancements, but nothing because the truck was trouble.

 

That is what i was referring too, i thought that was pretty standard nowadays, i know mine has it.