03 HO dosen't seem any stronger than 2002

[esnodgr]

Just traded for a new 03,HO,SWB,QC,4x4 and headed out west on a hunting trip and after several test! with two 2002 HO it was evident that the 03 didnt run any better. Other than that a great truck but the power counts!!! Also there was an 02 duramax on the trip and the Dodges are no match. Presently have 2000 miles on the 03. Just wondering if anybody felt as though the new HO was not up to snuff.

 

[Big MAK]

It isn't speedy. But the power is there. What was the axle ratio on the one you traded? With the 03 I'm bidding my time until I get it into 4/5/6 where I can mash it. 2/3/4 is slow; stump pulling. Fine by me. With 3. 73s or 4. 10s you'll be out run by higher gears. Doesn' t mean the power isn't there.

 

[esnodgr]

We did these so called test on the interstate in 6th gear and went from a running start at 60mph running side by side. I understand that on the very top end the 02 dodges should pull away with the 3. 55 gear as our 03 has 3. 73, however the 3. 73 should have given us and advantage at the start and well into the rpm's. Also the Duramax had 3. 73 gears.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

LOOKS to me like the real test, is WHERE in the RPM range the '03 starts coming to life, as compared to the '02 HO... An overlay of HP and torque comparing the 2 would be REAL interesting to look at - and I mean a REAL LIFE comparison, not what DC puts out - I suspect we would see the power curve for the '03 has been moved up the RPM scale by 2-300 RPM, which means ya gotta be up in the revs to get decent power in heavy pulling situations as compared to the older stuff...



BUT, I could be wrong...

 

[NS REBEL]

I have a HO dually on order, and this will be my 5th dodge since 94 when the new style truck first arrived. I have also had the diesel in all configurations, 5 speed, automatic, and now my present 6 speed.



I to had a couple of 03 HO's for drives, and have thought that my 02-6 speed with 3. 55 would eat up the 03 HO with 3. 73. Alot of the gearing changes must also take place in the transmission, but I did find the 03 lazy... ... WHATS UP WITH THAT???:-{}

 

[JWerkheiser]

The 02s are broken in... Just a thought.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by rbennett



I've driven a couple of 03 HO's and I feel that my 02-6 speed with 3. 55 will eat-up the 03 HO with 3. 73. Some of the gearing changes must take place in the transmission. I found the 03 lazy... ... WHATS UP WITH THAT???:-{}

Knowing this difference in performance, why are you trading a fast 02 for a "lazy" 03? Couldn't be the sound of the CTD or the looks of the truck Just pulling your leg, they are also starting to grow on me.



Rbennett welcome to the TDR. Looks like you have a great background with these trucks look forward to your future posts

 

[Rcpilotlv]

Sorry guys but i dont understand what your saying here. I drove a 03 Ho 4x4 with 4. 10s. I think its neck and neck with my 02 with ttpm ON IT. But i had no load on it either. Wasnt enough for me to trade and Loose more Money

 

[JWerkheiser]

Mine runs like a bat out of h@#$ with HO 6 sp. Definitely much better than the 01 I had with auto and it would outrun lots of V8s off the line. I know I could outrun my old truck even shifting gears. I notice a big difference, but that was 235hp compared to 305. I have about 700 miles on it and it is noticeably loosening up, too. 9300 to go to full break in...

 

[Casey Balvert]

I concur with JW. Compared to my 97 five speed, my 03 HO is a rocket. For four tons of truck, that is saying a lot. And it only has 200 miles on it. I am extremely happy with the driveability, power, acceleration. The low noise level is certainly deceiving. There is a real diesel under that hood. You just can't hear it, but then I can't hear my wife bi***ing either.



Cheers, Casey

 

[mr plow]

i currently drive a y2k auto with bd box and boost elbow. That said, my truck is still a little slow at take off, but around 1400-1500 rpm, she takes off like a rocket.



Last week drove 2 03 ho's, a 2wd sb and a 4wd dually. Both were incredible. I would have to say by the seat of the pants, the 2wd was slightly quicker than my y2k ( probably by virtue it being a 2wd and all), but the dually 4wd felt just as quick as my truck. (all trucks were 3. 73's)



Oh and by the way, i agree, 1 thru three seem to be a waste of time on the street... so much torque, not enough things to pull with it...

 

[RustyJC]

I haven't driven a 2003 HO yet (the dealer keeps calling me... . ) but I'm guessing that a 2003 HO/6-speed would feel a lot like my current truck (see signature - ETH/DEE with EZ), except the power's higher up the RPM band. Right??



Rusty

 

[Pit Bull]

Rusty, why would this dealer keep calling you to drive a new truck? You have a new truck and based on your signature it is nicer than anything they are currently making

 

[RustyJC]

Man, it beats me! I have 8,800 miles on my 2002 - it's 13 months old. Don't know why he thinks I'm in the market to trade, but I might go out and drive a 2003 just to satisfy my curiosity.



Rusty

 

[esnodgr]

POWER & MPG

PRESENTLY WE HAVE 5,000 MILES ON TRUCK AND IT STILL WANT PERFORM ANY BETTER THAN THE 02'S. ALSO IT HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN GETTING 2MPG WORSE THAN THE O2'S. WHEN WILL IT BE BROKE IN AND HOW MUCH SHOULD WE EXPECT THE POWER AND MPG TO IMPROVE.

 

[JWerkheiser]

Did you check the turbo to intake manifold clamps to make sure they are all tight? I've seen talk of at least one other incident where one of the clamps has loosened and caused low boost.

 

[Big MAK]

What's the exact configuration of your '02, and exact configuration of your '03? This certainly seems like an anomaly.

 

[esnodgr]

02 qc 4x4 6speed HO w/3. 55 gear, 03 qc 4x4 6speed HO w/3. 73 gear. The 03 should have 60 more HP as both trucks are bone stock but for now its not there.



I will check all the clamps thanks.



We have owned Dodges for 60 years along with 2 of them being a 91 and 96 4x4 Cummins and have had great sucess but the new has us bumflazziled!!!!!!

We also own a 1977 W200 4 door 4x4 w/3. 55 gear and a 440 now that rocks.

 

[esnodgr]

02 qc 4x4 6speed HO w/3. 55 gear, 03 qc 4x4 6speed HO w/3. 73 gear. The 03 should have 60 more HP as both trucks are bone stock but for now its not there.



I will check all the clamps thanks.



We have owned Dodges for 60 years along with 2 of them being a 91 and 96 4x4 Cummins and have had great sucess but the new has us bumflazziled!!!!!!

We also own a 1977 W200 4 door 4x4 w/3. 55 gear and a 440 now that rocks.

 

[pcarlson]

I test drove an '03 Quad LWB HO 6spd 4x4 and I thought that my truck had more grunt and get up and go than the new one had, with my EZ in my '02. However the same truck after break in might be totally different.