[quote author=cp link=board=20;threadid=9858;start=0#94302 date=1043114542]<br>If your mileage is also bad, I would suspect some power is not making it to the ground. It could be that the transmission or axles (Dodge wastes a lot of horsepower turning the front axle on 4x4's) or even bearings and brakes are robbing you of much needed horsepower.<br>[/quote]<br><br>I'm going to mirror CP's comments here. When the techs were checking over the engine, did they happen to check line pressures in the tranny? The 03 SO has as much power as my 01 HO had, actually more, and my 01 HO in stock trim would outpull any stocker Ford and Chebbie on the road, when you got into the hills.<br><br>So despite what the dealer has said, there is an issue somewhere, and it may only take some time for service tech knowledge to catch up with the new trucks.<br><br>So in the meantime, lemme know where these pals are that were ridin' you. I'd be happy to blow their doors off. Us Dodge guys gotta stick together ;D<br><br>Rod

 

MAC,<br> You are running into EXACTLY what I did when I (made the horrible, horrible mistake of) purchased a new 2001 CTD/auto 4x4. I was pleased with the unloaded drive, even seemed fairly zippy. But then, I strapped about 4000lbs of hay and trailer behind me... :'( I was getting weeded by GEO's!! I had never been so irate in my life!! Then I towed a second time! :'( So, I pleaded for help from the dealer, on this board, and so on. Ended up putting 24,000 miserable miles on that POS, and sold it. Then, by the grace of gawd, the 2003 HO-CTD with the 6-speed was invented!! I ordered, waited, and bought!! OH JOY!! The moral of the story is, auto's in stock form, plain and simple, don't put the power to the ground. PERIOD! Granted my HO puts out way more than my '01 did also, but the real bread and butter comes from the tranny. You won't be happy until you modify your tranny, or swap trucks for a manual.... [undecided]

 

What about bombing them to get the power you demand when towing? Its either that or take the 6K hit what would you guys do????

 

I ran my numbers again as this whole SO POS thing is really getting to me. I'm gonna pucker up and take it. I'm going to the dealership first thing in the morning and ordering the same truck except this one WILL HAVE an HO with the 48RE with the LSD, sport apperance group, and fold flat floor and getting the truck for $35,576.00.<br><br>Bottom line is I want to keep this truck for a long time and I would rather do it being happy than being miserable. I love the truck I just hate the motor. I know I'm taking a hit but I think in the long run this lesson will be well learned and appreciated for only a few thousand bucks. Who knew these **** trucks were an emmotional attachment.

 

[quote author=TON4FUN link=board=20;threadid=9858;start=0#94290 date=1043113093]<br> For those who say they are having no issues with driving there SO's I say go strap on about 7500 lbs and drive across Kansas and have small grades kick your rear and the cruise act up its not a reassuring feeling that you made the right choice, especially after a ford with the same load passes you up and he is sporting an auto as well. [/quote]<br><br>I have pulled 10,000# across kansas with a 2000 SO auto that has less power then your 2003 as I mensioned before, and let me say nothing was passin me by. I think the biggest problem you guys have that have the SO is that you got the 3.73 gears, which amounts to the same thing as the 3.55's were because of the bigger tires. I have said it many times, if you want an auto get the 4.10 gears if you are going to pull, no questions about it. Have a 2001 also that has 3.55's (the 2001 also has more power then the 2000 models) in it and it just wont pull a load in overdrive, the 2000 has 4.10 and pulls great in over drive, their is a night and day difference. And you know what, they both get the same milage. If you are going to reoreder do yourself a favor and get 4.10 so you are happy.

 

Will do. Do the 4.10's affect gas mileage on the autos?

 

[quote author=Mopar_Mudder link=board=20;threadid=9858;start=15#94362 date=1043123533]<br>Have a 2001 also that has 3.55's (the 2001 also has more power then the 2000 models) in it and it just wont pull a load in overdrive, the 2000 has 4.10 and pulls great in over drive, their is a night and day difference. And you know what, they both get the same milage.<br>[/quote]<br><br>That was my experience any way, on long empty 75 mph trips you may loose 1-2, maybe, pulling no difference

 

I'll add them on my order tomorrow. Thanks.<br>

 

Good call on the 4.10's. A little mechanical advantage never hurts!! ;D

 

I could be wrong with this suggestion ...try taking a 7/16&quot; deep socket and tighten all of your intercooler clamps. All of my last three Rams had real loose clamps on the bottom hoses.

Tightened them up and it did make a difference...especially under load.

If thats already been done...forget I mentioned it.

I hope you guys get it resolved. I had a 98.5 that was a dog...10 mpg too. Empty. Wastegate actuator was hooped, the VP-44 was messed three times and the dang intercooler clamps were hand tight.

 

That was the first thing the diesel mechanic checked and they were as tight as can be. Common problem among the intercooler hoses to come loose or not being tightened during PDI. <br><br>I've been around the block with this thing and the dealer.

 

[quote author=TON4FUN link=board=20;threadid=9858;start=15#94384 date=1043129532]<br>That was the first thing the diesel mechanic checked and they were as tight as can be. Common problem among the intercooler hoses to come loose or not being tightened during PDI. <br><br>I've been around the block with this thing and the dealer. <br>[/quote]<br><br>I know this is not comforting but I was one of the first with a 24 V truck and had all sorts of issues and of course several folks did not. I just kept getting louder and kicking up a stink.<br>At one point the lovely DC reps told me that I had a nice truck and it was too bad I could not arbitrate as my truck was registered commercially...that made me kick and scream even louder. Up here in Canada they reallylike to show you the rule book as opposed to resolving the issue...so I just kept on them. It worked and I got the truck running better.<br><br>It does almost sound like you are losing power in the driveline.<br>How is the trans fluid? Again, I am probably suggesting something you have already done.<br>The solution is probably too obvious. Like my wastegaste that had a 1/2&quot; of play and would not work.

 

[quote author=TON4FUN link=board=20;threadid=9858;start=15#94384 date=1043129532]
That was the first thing the diesel mechanic checked and they were as tight as can be. Common problem among the intercooler hoses to come loose or not being tightened during PDI.

I've been around the block with this thing and the dealer.
[/quote]

Have you been to another service dept????
It's obvious something is wrong, hate to see you lose a tone of$$$$ on a missed dianosis.
If you do trade her in, you wanna swap me grills? ;D

 

Wow am I ever happy that I re-ordered a HO/48RE 8).

 

I just sold my 96 4x4 47re and picked up an 03 HO 6 speed. The old truck would pull my boat or enclosed cycle trailer over the Sierras (7000 feet) at 60-65 without flinching, and return around 17 MPG...I'm surprised to hear about the power complaints on the newer truck. I will say that the difference in fuel economy between 65-70 vs. 80 MPH is pretty big, you're pushing against a lot more wind resistance and keeping the turbo loaded...especially towing where you're about as aerodynamic as a wall.<br><br>