I havent' owned anything but a 12v for the last ten years and I found a 2003 305HP 6spd 4x QC LB FOR SALE with 42000 miles!

I would like for you guys to help me out by weighing in on any issues you could think of or would be useful for someone not familiar with these trucks.

Problems they have.
Cheap upgrades to make them run better
Just about anything you would like to offer up.


Thanks in advance!


Chad

 

Do a search as I think this question has been asked not that long ago.

 

Best fuel mileage of all the CR's. Six speed will pull a house. Fiverbob has the same truck, pulls a 36ft 16,000lbs fiver and gets 12+ mpg in stock format.
21-23 on the hwy with 4.10 gears. The NV5600, if in good shape is almost indistructable. Not made for fast shifting. That tranny was put in trucks with a 56,000lb GVW.

If it needs a clutch most are using Southbend. Be advised they make noise. But handle the load very well. I know of no issues with the basic truck.

The 12V is still the sweet spot.

 

All that was said above.

The lift pumps were canister mounted OEM, and they fail. If yours has one, go ahead and get rid of it and upgrade to a AD or raptor.

The ball joints go often. AC's are not the best.

Great truck if you are just looking for reliability. If you want to turn it up, they do not react as well to programmers as the 04.5+.

I think I heard that the 03 early 04's react to the PPE pretty good.

 

The first owner of mine wrecked the rev synchro by hitting R instead of 5th too many times - it's easy to do. Warranty covered a complete overhaul. Make sure all the gear shifting is smooth, including rev cuz the 7/70 is probably gone unless it's a late 03. The rear end ratio is on a tag in the glove box door, in case you want to check what gears it has. My 305 was disappointing when it was stock. The stock muffler and turbo are terrible and they are the biggest problem when adding power. A better turbo and muffler alone really improves the whole power band without even adding any more fuel. The stock clutch will take a lot more power. Mine does fine with the hot stacks but I'm careful not to beat on it at low rpm. Craig

 

Well I got it bought!

Looks like it is all stock. It had the PS line to the hydraboost replaced and never got cleaned. I do notice that it can be hard to get it into gear 1 2 and Rev sometimes, a lot stickier than my NV4500. I also notice that on the hwy in 6th at 65mph it sound like it has a little howl from the rearend but only when I have my foot in the pedal.
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Thanks again for the replies!!!!

 

You said 42.000 miles this truck is not broken in yet. Jest buy it and drive it. Why do you thank it needs all that go fast work done to it ? If you want some extra power stay around 40 to 60 and it will do you a good job. More will tare up something fast. EDGE is a good one. == Good luck ==

 

put a good fuel filtering system on it to protect your injectors.

 

I have 193K on an '03 dually with Auto trans. I added an Edge with Attitude when the engine warranty ran out. Love it. Run a 3:73 rear end and love the torque when pulling trailer or empty. It's amazing the power pull at 50 when you mash down on the pedal. The lift pump went out just after the warranty but other than a water pump and injector, it runs great. Auto gets 18 to 18.5 on average empty. A 11454 mile trip towing averaged 10.5 running A/C last two weeks. Trailer weighs 14,000 lbs. Lots of wind drag. Enjoy your truck. Go Edge chip and 4" pipes. Works great.

 

The nv5600 shifts a lot stiffer and slower than the 5sp. My 6 sp likes RP Synchromax (6 qts) the best for smooth shifting. Use at least 75w140 in the rear - I use 5 qts, overfilled a little. I use RP 85w140. That stuff is awesome in loose rear ends for minimizing future wear! Mine had 25k on it when I bought it and the rear end was 2" low and all the brgs were down to the minimum rolling tq. already. The truck was used for towing a heavy 5er. I put in the 85w140 and my UOAs have been great and nearly zero wear metal on the magnet. These AAMs don't have a very good track record for their brgs and I'm determined to get all I can out of it befor rebuilding it. Craig

 

so are you selling this truck and if so how much