So how serious are these problems?
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Greenville, South Carolina
Re: So how serious are these problems?
Originally posted by NJMurvin
After lurking around here for a few weeks prior to ordering my 325/600 3500 QC SRW SB, there seems to be some consensus on at least 3 (what I consider) major issues:
1) Cab smell (both exhaust and oil)
2) Rear end howl
3) 48RE thrust washer failure imminent and TC issues
Wow! A $40k truck with these problems. Pretty disturbing. I'm not saying it's much rosier over in Fordland or GMburg either. With the injector problems in the Duramax and just about everything wrong with the 6.0, the Dodge still comes out OK on balance. Still, it hurts to go into this knowing I'm gonna have these problems. Or will I? Are these "for-sures" or are the majority of trucks not having these issues?
I just hope we don't start seeing the massive number of buybacks happening that I read about over on the Ford board.
Were it not for the cab and bed change that I need, I would likely stick with my 2000 PSD 7.3l.
Neil
After lurking around here for a few weeks prior to ordering my 325/600 3500 QC SRW SB, there seems to be some consensus on at least 3 (what I consider) major issues:
1) Cab smell (both exhaust and oil)
2) Rear end howl
3) 48RE thrust washer failure imminent and TC issues
Wow! A $40k truck with these problems. Pretty disturbing. I'm not saying it's much rosier over in Fordland or GMburg either. With the injector problems in the Duramax and just about everything wrong with the 6.0, the Dodge still comes out OK on balance. Still, it hurts to go into this knowing I'm gonna have these problems. Or will I? Are these "for-sures" or are the majority of trucks not having these issues?
I just hope we don't start seeing the massive number of buybacks happening that I read about over on the Ford board.
Were it not for the cab and bed change that I need, I would likely stick with my 2000 PSD 7.3l.
Neil
I've had 2 03's, no rear end howl, no oil or diesel smell in the cab and as for the bearing failure on the 48RE. I read that thread and personally wouldn't worry about it. If you tow get a six speed. Otherwise forget it. Just don't put any synthetic oil in the tranny, only use DC's ATF juice.
THey do have some problems, vibration at 2000 rpm is probably the biggest complaint. BUt there is a fix for that.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: San Diego, CA
16K miles -- No smell, no rear end howl.
I have the 2003 California version -- therefore I wasn't 'allowed' to have the 6 speed I wanted and have the 5 speed instead. I drive it in San Diego and LA all the time and wouldn't have anything other than a manual transmission!!
If I'm not mistaken (and I have been many times!!), I think the bottom and top gear ratios on the 5 and 6 speed mauals are very nearly the same -- just different spacing between 2 - 4 and 2 - 5.
F11Engineer
Definitely get the 6 speed. If the 6 speed wasn't available, I probably wouldn't have bought the truck. The truck has zero throttle input starts, so it's a breeze to drive in traffic. When I go back to a regular car with a manual tranny, it feels like a real workout again.
If I'm not mistaken (and I have been many times!!), I think the bottom and top gear ratios on the 5 and 6 speed mauals are very nearly the same -- just different spacing between 2 - 4 and 2 - 5.
F11Engineer
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
I have a "late" model 04'. It was built in the end of Oct. 03'.
I also have that terrible exhaust smell some are talking about. If idling too long at a light, it will choke you out of the truck.
I get the oil smell too, but I don't mind that compared to the exhaust smell.
Yes, I will take it into the dealer one day, just have to find time.
No rear end howl.
And have a six speed.
Besides that, some light vibrations at speeds 70+, and slight wind noise at 70+, truck is perfect.
I still love driving it!
I also have that terrible exhaust smell some are talking about. If idling too long at a light, it will choke you out of the truck.
I get the oil smell too, but I don't mind that compared to the exhaust smell.
Yes, I will take it into the dealer one day, just have to find time.
No rear end howl.
And have a six speed.
Besides that, some light vibrations at speeds 70+, and slight wind noise at 70+, truck is perfect.
I still love driving it!
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