mattn124

Hello;

This forum has been a HUGE help to me over 20 years of owning my 2nd gen truck (in signature). but the time has come to get a true 4-door cab; I am looking at a 3rd gen.

I don't know much about the 3rd gen, but am very knowledgeable about the 2nd gen trucks. What are the biggest things to look for? Lift pump issues like on the 2nd gens? Death wobble, etc....?

How do you feel about miles and previous Mods? I'm looking at a 2003 Quad Cab 2500 Auto. it has 183,xxx miles. Body in great shape no rust. Runs drives well. I'm a little worried this was somebodies "hot rod truck". Here are the mods I can see that it has:

• "Diablosport" small round device underhood (power puck?)
  • There is a small 3-way toggle switch on the dashboard. it is unlaballed. Could this be related to the programmer?
• The transmission looks purple from underneath and says "ATS" on it
  • Aftermarket transmission, any good?
• Large (20") aftermarket wheels (don't like but can sell them)
• There are no gauges other than the factory instrument panel
• There are what looks like 2 spin-on fuel filters near the fuel tank, but I cannot find the "lift pump"

I would really appreciate any feedback on 3rd GENs in general, or the specific truck I gave examples of would also be great!

Thank you!
--Matt

FMB

Good morning Matt. I used to have an '03 and loved it. Looks like a previous owner was concerned about filtering the fuel so added an aftermarket filter system. The lift pump is probably in the tank. Originally it would have been attached to the back side of the original fuel filter.

My '03 started 'missing' around 180k miles, IIRC, so I sent all 6 sticks to F1 Diesel for test and rebuild. They did a great job. I got rid of the truck at 298k miles after I upgraded to a '15 3500. On occasion, I'll reach for the stick to downshift only to find I'm in the '15 and not the '03. It was a great truck.
Back to morning brew . . .

mattn124

Thanks for the input FMB