03 praises and cusses

[JamesSimpson]

I know some of the replys will be transmission or motor related but Im looking at a 03 qc 4x4 sb with the 6 spd. Dont know what the 6 spd model is but the vin # is 3D7KU28C13G775002. I was wondering what kinda rhings I should look out for that are common problems. Im gonna test drive this thing tomorrow and want to be prepared. The walk around out side and under look ok. Dealer was closed and havent looked under the hood yet.



James

 

[JRD]

check for death wobble above 65mph. Seems kinda common on the 4x4 3G's.

 

[BHolm]

check for death wobble above 65mph. Seems kinda common on the 4x4 3G's.

You mean second gens right I have had four third gen trucks, still have twop of them and I have never had any death wobble in any of them. If you run 315 section tires or larger you might have an issue but I really don't see that as a common problem.



U-joints and ball joints are the two weak areas. My '03 dually needs u-joints at 98k miles. They are fine until you get the truck 20 miles down the road, then the vibe starts Dealer told me I needed ball joints too, they kindly offered to do them for $1100 Since it still drives just as well as my '06, I think they were full of it. Those are the things I would want done prior to purchase

 

[daytripper63]

The 2003's are the best ones of all

 

[dan shss]

rear ujoints,alt bracket,low diff fluids,ball joints,

 

[steved]

A high speed vibration somewhere between 65-75mph... it is the dreaded 3rd gen vibration and there is no single fix short adding lockout hubs.



steved

 

[LesStallings]

I've got 72K on my early 04, which is very similar to the 03 you are looking at. Overall, it has been a wonderful truck and in many ways I'm glad I did not get the 04. 5 truck that seems to have worse mileage and maybe injector problems.



The only thing I've had to do driveline wise to my 2wd truck is replace a left front hub due to wheel bearing failure. This was recent, after 70k. At the same time, I replaced the front brake pads, since it was easy and close to being time for replacement. I've been pulling a heavy trailer, so maybe my brakes have been a little more "tested" than a truck that only sees unloaded duty.



I am now in the process of replacing the HVAC doors. Many of the 03-04 trucks (and some newer ones) are experiencing sticking and breaking of the doors. You may want to see if you can hear a thunk when changing the controls from floor to vent positions. Also see if there is a noticeable temperature difference in right and left side vents. Those may be signs of HVAC failure. My dealership said they have had some evaporator leaks, but I have not experienced it. Make sure your AC is cold.



Good Luck! The 03-04's are the best!!

 

[rbattelle]

Les brought up the HVAC doors. Try to find out if they were ever replaced.



Also watch for injector knock at low RPM on takeoff. Can be hard to distinguish from a knock in the NV5600 on early trucks. Either way, it'll be very loud and very abnormal.



I'd check all under the hood very carefully to see if any performance boxes were ever installed. That means looking for remnants of adhesives for the box, and anything screwy with the wiring. Seems like many people install a pressure box and subsequently blow an injector; it would be better to avoid such a truck.



Ryan

 

[JWChessell]

Low speed rear-end whine. Solution is to replace rear drive shaft and rear U-joint. There's a TSB on the problem. In fact, if you haven't already, go to "Site Features" on this website, and click on "TSB's. "

 

[rbattelle]

And read this thread.



(Fuel tank vents).



I wonder if it would be worthwhile to pull a fuel sample and have it analyzed for contamination?



Ryan

 

[sag2]

It had a u-joint replaced at 45,000 and a water pump at 60,000. It had two owners so far and all repairs were done at Russell Whatley Motors.

 

[rbattelle]

It had a u-joint replaced at 45,000 and a water pump at 60,000. It had two owners so far and all repairs were done at Russell Whatley Motors.

Wow! Now that's service, right there.



Ryan

 

[smartineau]

rear U-joint has been my only problem, and I'm at 70,000 miles.

 

[JamesSimpson]

WOW thanx

Thanx SAG2

This thing has 66275 on the clock, It has a hidaway ball in the bed. I could see the turbo from the wheel well and it looks to be silver and not a chalky tan color. I does look to have a oily residue on it but I thik that just from oil changes since the turbo sits lower on the 3 gen than the 2 gen. I am alittle concerned with the transmission. I asume being a 03 its the nv5600. They dont make parts for these or its hard to find them. Still havent driven it yet hoping to tonight or tomorrow.

 

[rbattelle]

I asume being a 03 its the nv5600. They dont make parts for these or its hard to find them.

If it's an HO, it's a 5600. If it's an SO, it could be a 4500.



It's true that there's something of a gamble with owning an NV5600 now that parts are not being made anymore. But I have faith that with all the 5600 owners/enthusiasts out there places like Blumenthal's and Standard Transmission will be able to provide parts and service for a very long time by accumulating junked trucks/transmissions.



Ryan

 

[JamesSimpson]

If it's an HO, it's a 5600. If it's an SO, it could be a 4500.



It's true that there's something of a gamble with owning an NV5600 now that parts are not being made anymore. But I have faith that with all the 5600 owners/enthusiasts out there places like Blumenthal's and Standard Transmission will be able to provide parts and service for a very long time by accumulating junked trucks/transmissions.



Ryan

I hope so Standard is just a stoens throw away fr me. I guessing looking at the shift pattern it a 5600 I dont have a LOW gear just 1st

 

[bkaiser]

Let's see... . Rear brakes destroyed at 27K (pads and rotors), replaced all three rear u-joints around 31K. Replaced front pads at 34K but didn't really need to (insurance before I ate the front rotors). Warranty items - alternator bracket replaced, A/C on/off switch failed (infant mortality - truck was 2 months old), recall for cruise WOT problem.



It goes for its annual inspection tomorrow. Last year the front end was real tight, hope it has stayed that way.



Have never had any wobble or vibration. Never had truck over 85 either, and the tire size is stock.

 

[jwdeeming]

My wife's '03 has been an easy keeper for over 100k miles. She pickled the clutch, so we had a SouthBend installed. Nothing but maintenance other than that until now. I need to open up the left front to see what the new noise is - I suspect the hub but don't know yet.



Been a very good truck. Only thing wrong with it is it's too quiet!



Having recently gone through two VP44s on my 2nd gen, hers really looks good now...

 

[DaveHess]

I had to replace the lift pump at 5,000 miles and the water pump at 25,000 miles. Otherwise you'd have to pry this truck from my cold hands before I'd give it up. I love it. The only gripe would be a semi-weak A/C system. Luckily here in North Dakota you only use two months out of the year. The A/C that is... .

 

[Tomeygun]

It had a u-joint replaced at 45,000 and a water pump at 60,000. It had two owners so far and all repairs were done at Russell Whatley Motors.

You forgot to tell the in service date - Feb 7th, 2003:



warranty remaining:

POWERTRAIN: (84 Month or 70,000 Miles) February 7, 2010 39 Month or 5,000 Miles

PERFORATION: (60 Month or 100,000 Miles) February 7, 2008 16 Month or 35,000 Miles

DIESEL ENGINE: (84 Month or 100,000 Miles) February 7, 2010 39 Month or 35,000 Miles