Kevin McD

I'm new to this site and am looking at buying a 2003 CTD (had a 97 CTD and wish I never sold it for a Ford PSD). I have a few questions I was hoping can answered here. <br><br>1)How is fuel milage with the auto tranny? With the '97 I was getting 17-19 on the hwy.<br>2)I took an '03 3500 for a test drive and I heard a kinda of whinning noise (maybe like air blowing through something) when accelerating. It seemed to go away when I eased off the acceleator. Anyone else have this issue? It didn't sound like the &quot;normal&quot; turbo sound.<br>3)I have a trailer that I pull occasionally that is about 7k when loaded. Is it worth waiting for the HO w/auto or will the current auto be sufficient. <br>4)Any other imput on the '03 (good or bad) would be a big help.<br><br>Thanks,<br>Kevin McD.

John_P

Kevin:<br><br>Welcome to the website!! <br><br>I still have my 96' Dodge CTD but had a chance<br>to drive the new 03's @ the recent TDR Rally<br>up in Colombus, Indiana. <br><br>On your questions about them, yes, I would<br>definitely wait for the H.O. (305 H.P.) engine<br>with the upgraded auto! I drove a H.O. 6-speed<br>at the rally and they had more power than the<br>235 H.P. engine. The &quot;newer&quot; automatics (48RE)<br>is supposed to be &quot;beefed-up&quot; over our current<br>47RE's. I also heard that &quot;whining&quot; noise you<br>describe on the 03' auto. I did not hear it on<br>the 6-speed though. It sounded to me like it<br>was in the rear end, but I am not sure. Sorry,<br>but I can't help you out on the mileage issue.<br><br>They are awful quiet trucks. A little too quiet<br>for me. But many of the members like that.<br><br>Anyway, good luck and again, welcome aboard!<br><br>--------<br>John_P<br>about them.

Luke S

For the load your going to pull I would think the standard output 250 hp engine with the 47re would be sufficient. That is what I am getting except I am putting the 4.10 rear axle in it instead of the 3.73. I would get the 4.10's if I were you and not worry about. If it'll work for what I pull you will have no prblems pulling 7k. And they got the new 70,000 mile powertrain warranty anyway so I think your safe.

PADZZ

I pull this ;D. 9000 Lbs. loaded with the auto and 4.10's. No problems yet [undecided].<br> I got the auto simply because it was the only SRW 3500 in Las Vegas at the time. I have not been dissapointed and have not looked back....