Stroked85

Hi, Nice site you have here.

I must admit that I'm a bit of a Ford guy, but mostly in the car end of it.

I'm currently shopping for a 02,03 or 04 2500 quad cab with the cummins in it. Preferrable an automatic (I know, I know). It will be a bit of a daily driver and used to pull my car on a trailer.

Is there anything I should know or be aware of while shopping? Any parts that commonly fail or fatigue?

For a while I had a 2000 F350 with the PSD, and other than a CPS failure...it ran for 90K miles without trouble. I'm looking at the Dodge as the cummins seems to last forever, and they get way better mileage. (I got 15mpg in my PSD)

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

ib516

Big power differences between those trucks as they came from the factory.

The 2002 will be 235hp/460tq stock with an auto, but can be 245/505 with a 6 speed stick.

The 2003 can be 250hp/460tq with a 47RE auto or 305/555 with a 48RE auto.

The 2004 can be 305/555 or 325/600 with a 48RE auto.

I'm not as familiar with the 3rd gen (2003+) trucks, but as for the 2002, they can have issues with the lift pump/injection pumps. This is generally because the LP can fail and the truck will run normal and give no hint to this. Problem is that eventually, the low F.pressure will kill the injection pump. They need a FP gauge installed and clean fuel filters regularly.

Stroked85

thanks for the input. I'm not really concerned with overall power...as any of that will do what I need. My car on the trailer is about #4500-#5000.

FP gauge doesn't seem like a big deal to me, but I've never had my head under the hood of one of these. LOL!

dodgepower88

That depends on what you mean by WAY better. I'll agree that they get better mpg and last longer, but don't expect to get 21 mpg all around driving. From my experiences and from what i've heard a 03 2500 will get between 17-21 highway, and 13-16 in town. All this as you know depends upon too many variables to list.

Good luck with whatever truck you choose, unless it is a 6.0 Ford.

dodgepower88

oh yeah, forgot to address the checklist. Not sure on the 02s but on third gens check the U-joints, ps pump, and maintenance records are helpful. Take a test drive to check for any unusually creaks and vibrations.

Phil

smokindog

You want on 03 or early 04 with the 305/555 engine ratings. The late 04 trucks, called 04.5 were the first of the new emissions equipment trucks. A third injection event was added to these trucks and some, not all, had problems with the injectors.

Stick to an 03 or 04 and you will be very happy. The 02 is good too, just not the new body style and of course the infamous VP44 injection pump that seems to plague some owners often and others very rarely. It's a crapshoot with them.