Hello all. Has been a while for me on this forum. Had a momentary laps of reason a few months ago and sold my 95 2500. I bought an 03 2500 5spd. HEMI for the 4door cab. Kids and thier junk mandated a larger truck cab. I must say that I love every aspect of the truck except the engine. Don't get me wrong, the hemi tows well and has plenty of power. I just don't like the fuel mileage. I average 13mpgs. OK, I miss the Cummins sound more than anything. Doing all my own repairs on my 95 I knew the truck inside and out. I found an 03 diesel auto longbed that I am considering. I don't know that much about the 3rd. gen. trucks other than they stop, steer, and handle much better than my 95. I would like to know if they're any common problems that I should look at on this year truck. Any advice or input would be appreciated. thanks.

 

There were several available hp ratings in 03, 235,250,305hp. Main difference was ecm programming, but they all had a weak lift pump, which was located on the rear of the fuel filter housing. The truck your looking at may have had this upgraded, either by the dealer with an in-tank style or frame mounted pump, if not, it would be a 1st on the "to do" list, I would also upgrade the fuel filter to a 2 micron system.

The heater/defroster doors were another area that seemed to have a high failure rate, do a search, lots of info. The weather stripping around the doors on the early 03's also had a TSB out, and the dealer repaired, or added additional rubber seals.

The 03/04 CR's came with a factory Holset HE341 turbo, a 3 1/2" downpipe to the muffler, the Cali 235hp model also had a catylitic converter...the 305hp model came with the newly released 48RE auto trans.

I really cannot recall any other blatant problems, I feel these 03/04 CR's are the simplest and most reliable of the 3rd Gens, also get the best mileage.

Hope that helps a bit, Jess

 

+1 for what he said. I have just now rolled over the 201K miles mark and the only thing I did under warranty was 2 lift pumps. On the third one I put on my own double holley setup at 105K and haven't had a single problem since. I did the trans myself at 130K putting in new clutches and steels in the forward and direct drums and a new converter. Brakes and tires (the originals set wore like iron!) at 130K also and I just did a pinion seal on the rear end last week. That's it. She has all the power and comfort I need and with 4 doors I can relate to what you said. I'm still pulling 26 mpg on the level empty but I have a double stack also for when the need arises to burn the diesel.

 

I love my 03 for the QC, better brakes, steering and 6spd but I sure miss my 97 P-pumped 5spd. Right now, I've been having problems/codes for the APPS - drive-by-wire crap GGGRRRRRR!! And it only has 63k miles! I'm not giving up on it yet but I'm going to look into a P pump for it. Nothin' gives me a case of the jaws worse than unreliable electronic, especially after having the most reliable diesel there was. Craig

 

i know my 03 and a couple other people i know the darn steering wheel rattles below my cruise control buttons, a little pressure it goes away but it does get old.

 

I absolutely love my '03 and have no plans to ever get rid of it. I predict that the lack of any emissions equipment combined with the great fuel economy will make the '03 and early '04 trucks highly desirable in the future, much like the '98 12-valve quad cabs. Get one while you still can!

 

They do have front end that is not so good.

 

47 or 48RE? Lp's are a weak link. I have a friend with an 03 SO......he has turned it into a rocket ship stacking the Banks 6 Gun and the BTD. He has upgraded the front end.

 

Now that I fixed the APPS and it drives like new, I'm in love with it again. The 03-04.4's are still the simplest, even tho they have some electronics. None of the newer P/Us do anything for me. I went from a terrific 97 CTD to this 03 and I picked the 03 carefully to make sure I got all the luxuries and other things that the 97 didn't have so I wouldn't be wanting for anything else - and I still don't want anything else. BTW, the 2wds have awesome R&P steering. Craig

 

Dealer replaced the LP behind the canister with in tank model that died on me on a lonley highway north of Bonners Ferry Idaho with my trailer in tow that led to a Fass that led to upgraded filtration.
48RE really doesnt like anything much more than stock particularly the TC which I fused to the flexplate when my first programmer went on. Dodge replaced that for me but I just replaced that when it packed it in again with a Gorend. Been through a few injectors but I think that has settled down with the better filtration. Front end is getting a bit jumpy, am looking at a stabilizer for that. The HE341 turbo is just adequate, truck tends to run hotter than the average bear. I think the heater door is about to go. Drivers door seals seem to have let go this year - thanks JJPage for the heads up on the TSB - I will be looking for that one.
LP, TC, Steering, heater door, HE341 weatherstripping,... check.
However, I love the truck and have no regrets, everything seems to have one issue or the other. The problems have been excusses to build it better though... I am glad not to have the emmissions issues to deal with. Still like the styling. Doesnt have some of the new toys like the mega cab, or the power rear window orthe sunroof, but you cant have everything. Look for the 305HP late model 03's.