03 vs. 04.5

[DPKetchum]

Throttle cable? thought they were all drive by wire. Only differance being cruise cable if 6 speed or none if auto. Could be the other way around but still thoght they were the same as 04. 5 or 05. Do you think maybe they took more care in building the early 3 rd generations(vendors included)my neighbors NEW 05 has the door rubbers hitting/(tsb)the lower door seals are folded over and crooked/belt tensioner just failed ate up serp. belt. Mine does not need the door welt tsb. They fit perfect. Neighbors 03 the one he traded on the 05 also had almost 0 warranty claims in 140k. Had a reflash for gauges and the hydro boost hose. That was it. Fit and finish was better then the 05.

 

[Tony T.]

The headrests are nice on the rear seats of the new trucks, my '03 does not have them. 24,500 trouble free miles so far.

IMO this was stupid for DC to delete the headrest on the 03, I have a thirteen year old that rides back there quite a bit, an it has crossed my mine several times about being rear-ended an his head hitting the back glass. I have been wanting to try to find a 04 rear seat 60/40 with headrest. DC is absolutely ridiculous with pricing on ordering one, like $2000. 00 bucks for the cloth one. It should be a safety issue first that all crew cabs or quad cabs have the headrest. Even our 04 Ford PS crew cab at work came with out rear headrest.



IMO this should be a safety recall.



Tony

 

[EBottema]

I bet the door welt thing has to do with some complaints made about 03 and 04s leaking so they redesigned the parts? You never know.



All 03 and 04's have real throttle cables like a REAL vehicle. This drive by wire is BS. If you don't know why it is BS. Get in an 03 and push it to the floor and see how quick the engine reacts, it is instant to your foot. Get in an 05 with this BS drive by wire, step on it and it will take a few seconds to react. Also, what if it malfunctions? You could get stuck or the car could go haywire. hahaha

 

[TSpecht]

I suspect the only reason there's a little more time between when you boot the throttle and when you get thrown back in the seat with the fly by wire system is emissions. I also suspect (although have no personal experience yet) a fueling box would probably take care of most of it. They just didn't want the thing to smoke like a diesel so they made sure it won't add much fuel until the boost pressure comes up. That's my theory anyhow.



There's nothing wrong with a fly by wire system though. Just the fact that some idiot programmed it to be stingy on the fueling. Fly by wire is used on a lot more complicated and dangerous applications than our trucks, (aircraft, etc), so as a whole, it's an idea that's gaining quite a bit of acceptance. Now only time will tell of course whether this system will prove itself reliable on these trucks.



I think the in tank lift pump is going to be better than the old pump setup, with one exception. If you want to add an aftermarket pump it'll be an issue, but for keeping stock I'd be willing to bet it's a better design than the other one, simply because pumps are meant to push, not pull.



This is the first diesel I've owned, in fact the first really computerized vehicle I've owned, and I've always hated the idea of computer control in vehicles, but I must say, I'm impressed with their implementation.

 

[DPKetchum]

Its a "old" tsb on the welts. point is the 05 my neigbor got needs the TSB done. Some hit and rub and others don't. BNut you would think that a 2 year old tsb would have already been done to a 05. One door on his it hits bad. The other door only somewhat. MIne (03)don't hit or rub at all. Thought 03 UP was drive by wire? Only differance was one had vacumn to the cruise(auto)and one didn't(6 speed)but all were drive by wire. Any one else care to jump in?

 

[Moose]

EBottema - If u think about it... . all trucks from 98. 5 on up are drive by wire since they all have a TPS (throttle posisition sensor)... The only difference between the 98. 5-04 and the 04. 5-05 if that the TPS on the 04. 5-05 is mounted on the peddle and cruise control is completly electronic as opposed to the throttle assembly mounted on the head with cables running to the peddle as with the older engines... . so ALL trucks from 98. 5 on can go haywire or leave you stranded



Moose

 

[DPKetchum]

If i'm not mistaken 03s are as you describe the 04. 5 up. There is a differance on the cruise between the auto and manual.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

04's have rear seat headrests - even the STs come with this luxury item.