Guys,
Ok, and Gals if you're out there.
Located an 03 QC 2500 4x4 auto, on craigslist with 48k on the clock. The thing is spotless, so after a short test drive I succombed to the disire to purchase. My question is what things are out there i need to look at that are common problems with this year of truck? Any info will be appreciated.

 

Ball joints and a/c issues come to mind first for me. I used to have an 03 QC 4x4 (RIP), and now have an 06 Megacab 4x4. On the 03 I had ball joints and a/c work done under warranty. On my 06, had a/c issuses done under warranty, but not ball joints, because the dealer said they were still within spec when I was at about 35,800. Just for fun, at a little over 37,500, the dealer said my ball joints were bad! Said the hell with that and went with Carli uppers and Moog lowers. And I've recharged my a/c system myself about a month ago, and for now it works ok. You may want to think about doing some tranny upgrades if you tow or play hard.

 

It's a good year. Issues are the same as the other years. It depends how it's been used and serviced. I've had issues, crack dash= dashmatt. Keep the AC charged. Mag-hytec diff and DD trans pan. Grease the ***** with a needle. maintain it, don't kill it, leave it stock if you can.

 

03 had injector issues. Some have goodluck some dont. My truck lost 2 injectors at 105,000 and ive seen some with 30,000 miles drop injectors. just becareful. listen for injector knock at idle.

 

03 are good. i had one with almost 400,000kms with stock injectors, etc, modded, driven hard, the basic problems, ball joints, axle u joints, etc, all in all its a good year.

 

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003-index.htm

cracked alternator bracket
tighten the engine cooling fan
tail light PCBs
various ecu flashes to eliminate false errors, etc.

Do the fuel tank vent mod which attaches a small filter and hoses to the open vent ports. Keeps alot of dirt from getting into the fuel.

 

Watch your lift pump, if it hasn't been relocated to the tank.

 

My AC under the dash has been out 2x's vent doors are cheap and break, had issues this summer too, glad its almost over, next yeart Ill take it somewhere else besides the dealer to look at it. Besides that, had the pump put in the tank for free by the dealer (good diesel tech squared me away)the truck runs awesome for a 3/4 ton.

Smitty