For those wondering:

I own an 03 SO/250 3500 SLT with the automatic, 2WD, dually with about 5000 miles on it. I am quite pleased with the performance, mileage, noise (lack of) and handling. I am beginning to like it almost as much as my 98 2500 4x4 CTD. I finally stopped banging my head on the door overhead.

But, still I wondered about the "extra" power of the HO. If 250 horses are nice, heck, 305 has to be GREAT!

So off I go to the dealer to test drive the HO/305, 48RE, 2WD, dually with 10 miles on it. It was identical to mine except for the drive train.

Differences:

1. The HO has some more power but not that much more.
2. The HO is noisier or louder.
3. The 48RE is stiffer, jerkier, and shifts harder.
4. MPH/RPM comparison was identical for each truck.

In my estimation, unless a fella was hauling a lot, which I don't, the SO is the way to go.

Hope this helps those wondering!

 

And another happy SO owner shows up! I think that makes four of us ;D

 

I am very pleased with my SO, 47RE. Now that my intake bolts from my cooler were tightened up. When I first got the truck, I was very pleased, seemed to get up and go. The other day I was going on a small road trip to put some miles on the beast, I noticed a loud hissing sound under the hood when the turbo kicked in. I stopped on the side of the road and the four bolts that hold the cool air to the intake were loose. After a quick trip to the dealer, I was back on the road and noticed a big difference in power and my gas mileage. I do not tow any thing but an 18 ft bass boat, on the weekends. So the extra power was not needed. But after hanging around the Porterfields, I am sure I will do something to it. So mark me down as a happy SO guy. ;D

 

I just bought a 2003 Quad Cab 3500 single wheel rear axle SO 5spd. I debated over getting the 5spd, but the dealer didn't have any. Someone told me that the 6spd might get better fuel mileage, but from your posts, it may not. So that makes me feel better by getting the 5spd.<br><br>Bob<br>

 

I have a S.O./47re and love it...what an awesome truck. i am going to pull my 5th wheel and 18 foot boat this summer(around 10500 lbs and see how it goes(haven't tried yet, too snowy)..If I am wanting more power, they just came out with the EZ pro tow powerbox for the 2003's. For 829.00 canadian, i can add 60 rwhp and 120 ft lbs of torque..not worried about the tranny, I am pretty easy on my stuff.....btw i have 4.10's.

 

[quote author=jsr21 link=board=17;threadid=11254;start=0#107593 date=1045883990]<br>If I am wanting more power, they just came out with the EZ pro tow powerbox for the 2003's. For 829.00 canadian, i can add 60 rwhp and 120 ft lbs of torque..not worried about the tranny, I am pretty easy on my stuff.....btw i have 4.10's.<br>[/quote] Those are exactly my plans. ;D ;D I'll get guages 1st though.<br> Oh, I guess I make 5...or 6 happy campers.

 

I drove my first HO/48RE today and I really didn't notice much of a difference compared to the SO/47RE except maybe the transmission. It was a little stiffer maybe but certainly not jerky or harsh shifting and it's -25 here. Hard to say about the power as most roads are covered in some strange cold white material. I do not agree that the HO is louder than the SO. I suppose it is possible that we are all slightly biased towards our own trucks and that's why we bought them.

 

I can substanciate on liking my SO 47re I was contemplating trading it for the latter, but with a few mods it can run as well or better than a HO and I can keep my trade loss $$ in my pocket.... ;D

 

You guys know my feelings on the SO 47RE combo . I think its great for those guys that are happy. I just can't get over how crappy they tow with 8000lbs strapped on the back. Again, I'm speaking for the 3.73 gears. If I had 4.10's this would prob. be a non issue. <br><br>My whole arguement with just adding mods is that you should'nt have to do that to get a truck to do what you already paid for. I think this time I will be alot happier because I'm getting a few more toys on the new one my other one does not have like the LSD, leather steering wheel, dark interior and the sport package.

 

I tow my street/race car for a total of 4500-5000 lbs combo. My truck doesn't even know the trailer is there ;D

 

wow!i thought i was one of the only ones.i have the 2500 4 door SO 47re also.i bought the truck on feb 1st.almost all the trucks on the lot had the 47re or 6 speed.so i went with the auto.my buddy decides he wants one,so he goes down and orders a new one.he tells the dealer that he wants one with the so and 47re.sorry,no more 47re's all 48 re's now.i was wanting the 48,being mad that i got the 47.3 weeks later i go back down to the dealer thinking man,i really want the HO and 48re.he says we have 3 that just showed up.i left work thinking this is the one i should have bought.started it up and thinking this for some reason is louder than mine?put it in gear,and the trans has a heavier clunk than the 47.took it out for about 1/2 hour.transmision shifts the exact same as the 47,just more clunkier from n or p.i was expecting this to be a monster powerhouse over mine.it felt almost the same and louder.it did feel like it could lug a bit more,thats about it.well lets see how much difference it would be.i had 1200 miles on mine.i thought $2000.00-yes,$4000.00-think about it,$6000.00-no way!well he came in at $6300.00 diff.no way!well that was easy to make up my mind.i think alot of people always think the other may be better,but what you have may be the ticket.enjoy it,use it.7yr-70k on the drivetrain.i am done thinking about it.i am 100% happy and feel i made the right choice by keeping what i started out with.you know how it goes-what you have is the best,if it doesn't have it,you did not want it,but if it came with it,you like it and think you needed it.i like them all,so no SO punches from you HO guys.these are my opinions from trials.someday i may get the HO,but really dont want it right now.go drive them both-get the wondering out of your system,as it is a lot o money.be happy.

 

all i have to say is my truck rocks. it is a SO with a 47re. For a total cost of about 11-1200 dollars i will upgrade the tranny pan, put a shift kit in, and get an edge pro comp, and then for sure i will this truck will boogie. <br><br>i'm in love all over again...<br><br>plow.<br>

 

Mr. Plow,<br><br>Enlighten me. What is a tranny pan and what does it do.<br><br>Are there shift kits available now and from where?<br><br>By the way, I took a 500 mile interstate trip last weekend and got to have a little fun.<br><br>At 2000 RPM Casper (it's white and seemed appropriate) runs at 72.5 MPH. At 2500 RPM it runs exactly at 90 MPH. Hitting the 100 MPH mark is a breeze.<br><br>Without OD, it redlines at 85+. My old 98 12V redlines at 65 MPH with the same rearend (I think).<br><br> :<br><br>