new Truck

[DGamelin]

My daughter bought a truck a couple of weeks ago from Taxes. Found an 03 with 56k miles on it. I buy equipment every month down there. I flew down picked the truck up and a few things I had down there. So it came home with a load, it was a good test drive. Everything work fine.

 

[whitexc]

Nice rig, doesn't even look phased by the load. I like the white.

Mind sharing what she paid for it?

 

[DGamelin]

20k + 500 to hold it until I could get there.

 

[Wayne M.]

Firmly believe the 03-05's are the best of the best Rams ever. That one looks mint.

 

[kewltrks]

That's a rare find with that low of miles, Not even broke in.. Nice truck

 

[jgillott]

Very nice find. Congratulations.

 

[jgillott]

Firmly believe the 03-05's are the best of the best Rams ever. That one looks mint.

Having extensive seat time in both the early and later 3rd gens, I would definately agree.
The seats and electrical system are far superior in the early 3rd gens than the later models. I do prefer the dash layout and headlights (when they work) on the later 3rd gen models however.

 

[Wayne M.]

Having extensive seat time in both the early and later 3rd gens, I would definately agree.
The seats and electrical system are far superior in the early 3rd gens than the later models. I do prefer the dash layout and headlights (when they work) on the later 3rd gen models however.

Daimler’s effect on Chrysler is felt heavily in the mid-late 2000’s. Good (rise of modern muscle cars) and bad (horrific materials and marketing).

 

[jgillott]

Daimler’s effect on Chrysler is felt heavily in the mid-late 2000’s. Good (rise of modern muscle cars) and bad (horrific materials and marketing).

You would have expected the exact opposite to have happened. But I agree, there is a marked difference in quality.

 

[brods]

Nice find! PLEASE get it treated with rust preventative now while it is still salvageable!

 

[Az4x4]

Having extensive seat time in both the early and later 3rd gens, I would definately agree.
The seats and electrical system are far superior in the early 3rd gens than the later models. I do prefer the dash layout and headlights (when they work) on the later 3rd gen models however.

Unlike most guys here I'm new not only to the forum but to Ram diesel trucks themselves, having spent years driving mid-size Tacoma 4x4s. Recently purchased an '03 Ram 5.9 Cummins powered quad cab long bed 4x4 out of Apache Junction with just over 170k highway miles on it, in pristine condition throughout. The original owner used it to pull his travel trailer, and he had lots of expensive upgrades already done. The truck was nicely set up and well cared for, no expense spared in keeping it looking and running like new. Hearing you guys say the early 3rd gen Rams were among the best of the best makes me happy I found and purchased the truck I did!..

 

[jgillott]

Unlike most guys here I'm new not only to the forum but to Ram diesel trucks themselves, having spent years driving mid-size Tacoma 4x4s. Recently purchased an '03 Ram 5.9 Cummins powered quad cab long bed 4x4 out of Apache Junction with just over 170k highway miles on it, in pristine condition throughout. The original owner used it to pull his travel trailer, and he had lots of expensive upgrades already done. The truck was nicely set up and well cared for, no expense spared in keeping it looking and running like new. Hearing you guys say the early 3rd gen Rams were among the best of the best makes me happy I found and purchased the truck I did!..

Welcome to TDR and congratulations on your new to you 3rd gen 5.9l. Some here will tell you that your 2003 is one of the most sought after of them all.

Many of us here have had these trucks since they were new and have tons of experience with them. You came to the right place for knowledge and information for keeping yours running great for years to come.

I want to apologize in advance for some of my 3rd gen comments at times. After all these years and ~500K miles combined between the 2 we currently have, I have had my fair share of issues and problems to deal with. Sometimes I forget that the newest one of my 3rd gens is 11 years old and many of the things that I get frustrated with are due to age and wear and not uncommon for anything in that age bracket.

Again welcome to TDR.

 

[Az4x4]

View attachment 102150 My daughter bought a truck a couple of weeks ago from Taxes. Found an 03 with 56k miles on it. I buy equipment every month down there. I flew down picked the truck up and a few things I had down there. So it came home with a load, it was a good test drive. Everything work fine.

Good looking low mileage '03 your daughter bought. No doubt she's pleased as punch with it, and rightly so! Looks right at home with the load you had on it driving back. Makes me glad I found and bought a cherry '03 a few weeks ago as well. Hope she posts her thoughts about her truck as time goes by here on the site as well..

 

[Az4x4]

Another new (to me) '03..

DGamelin's daughter's '03 is a beauty. Makes me doubly glad I found the '03 I recently purchased out in Apache Junction in the far East Valley, some 2 1/2 hours drive from my place here on Arizona's Mogollon Rim. We'll use it to tow our tandem axle KODIAC travel trailer places we want to go visit. It's the perfect setup for that chore..

 

[User113]

Interesting to see the updated badging on the doors and vintage badging on the tailgate! That's another nice looking truck.

 

[Az4x4]

The truck was completely debadged when I got it. The original owner liked that 'clean' look and drove it that way. It was nice enough, but not really what I wanted. So badging 'By George' went back on -- not original '03, but the way I wanted to see it..

 

[jpogue]

I think I'm going to start looking for a 3rd gen. I've got a 96 12v and I love it, except for the steering. It wanders horribly and no matter what I've done it never gets tight like the newer trucks do. And lately I've been having shutoff solenoid issues. I replaced and took the time to measure the length on the rod but every couple of months I turn off the key and the engine keeps running. I'm sure there are issues with the 3rd gens as well but I want some of the creature comforts as well, better steering, heated mirrors, leather seats, and most importantly rear doors so people don't have to climb over the seat. It sounds like the 03 is the sought after one. Any other years? What are some of the problems I should look for when buying a 3rd gen?
Thanks

 

[TConver]

2006 had the new Can Bus and has electrical issues as a result. Rest of the years are pretty good.

 

[User113]

The truck was completely debadged when I got it. The original owner liked that 'clean' look and drove it that way. It was nice enough, but not really what I wanted. So badging 'By George' went back on -- not original '03, but the way I wanted to see it..

It's good to see you make it "yours."

 

[Az4x4]

..I think I'm going to start looking for a 3rd gen. I've got a 96 12v and I love it, except for the steering. It wanders horribly and no matter what I've done it never gets tight like the newer trucks do. .....It sounds like the 03 is the sought after one. Any other years? What are some of the problems I should look for when buying a 3rd gen?..

From what I've read the early 3rd gens do seem a popular choice. Having limited experience in this area all I can say is the '03 I purchased with 170k miles on it, having been extremely well maintained by its previous owner, has had just one issue pop up since I got it.

Most everything about the truck was tight, essentially as new; front suspension, ball joints, shocks, etc. The single component that needed replacing was the steering box. It had a good 2" of play in the steering wheel, which made driving the truck more a matter of herding than steering it. So I purchased a highly recommended remanufactured steering box and installed it, which completely eliminated the play in the steering wheel, making the truck a pleasure to drive.

If you find a 3rd gen truck that's been carefully maintained, with services done on time and parts swapped out when needed, a vehicle it's owner took pride in maintaining, your money will be well spent. They're out there, so keep your ear to the ground and you'll find the one you're looking for!..