calling all 2003 owners

[DBohl]

I'm looking to buy 2003 truck and would like to know what you guys think of your trucks now that you have had sometime to put some miles on them. Please let me know what you like or dislike about your truck. I'm looking at 03's because of the increased cab size over the 02's (kids) and I figure it being older, it will be more affordable ( want to stay under 25k ) Are there any issues I need to be aware of ? This is going to be my wifes daily driver and family hauler. Thanks, Doug

 

[CKimball]

well... mine is still a low mile truck (30k) and a very early model (10/02) standard out put (235 hp 460tq) with a 47re trans. the only issue i have had is the ac took a dive right after i bought it- condensor developed a leak and the altenator bracket cracked... . other then that no issuses... some say my trans is junk and probably will be after 50k but it shifts nice and truck pulls hard... . try and look for a HO truck as the power between the SO and HO is night and day... you wont see many with a 47re as they threw the 48re in the december-january build trucks... i pull a heavy fifth wheel with my Jeep in the back (aprox 15k lbs) and a 10k lbs bumper pull trailer and no issues whatsoever on hills etc... . i get an honest 18mpg empty on the hwy(i have 4:10 gears so I keep at 70mph or under to get that mileage) and around 12 pulling heavy... i think you will see the that 03 trucks have few issues and just stupid stuff like door seals and HVAC doors breaking---pretty impressive

especially since that was the first of the newer trucks. . also the seats on the 03-04 are a better design then the later models... aprox 2 inches longer on the butt portion. . my buddy has an 05 and you can feel the difference

Cameron

 

[daytripper63]

No complaints here and at 55000 miles now

 

[brista]

My 03 was a very good truck, great economy. I only had 65000 miles on it when I went to this dually but had no issues of any consequence with it at all. If it had been a 3500 dually I'd still be driving it.

 

[CEngel]

I bought my 03 new and put 140K on it. At that point the transmission was slipping and the injector pump was needing to be replaced (according to the dealer). It was the std output version. I got aroung 17MPG. I replaced it with a 04. 5 truck almost identical it gets 14MPG.

 

[gsbrockman]

No problems out of my 2003 HO. :-laf

At 48k miles, it's been great.



Greg

 

[midlife crisis]

My early build 03/47re scores a A- for its first 16,000. It did go back to the dealer for the alt bracket, trans line support & early reflash for... I cant remember what the reflash was for.

Thanks to TDR, I found & fixed the radiator chaffing issue before it became a problem.



Only little quirks I have noticed is the steering wheel is "cracking" or hazing at the 12:00 position-kinda weird with so little mileage. Other than that the key switch doesnt always hold in the "ACC" position.

No plans to go back to the dealer for the Out of Park Alarm recall, or for anything else for that matter. (Hey DC-stop sending me letters)

It pulls our 22' TT nicely, gets around 20 empty, 15 towing.

Trans/TCase & Axle fluid changes show no issues. Plans are to change trans oil often.



Lastly-my old ATV fit in the bed nicely, with the gate closed. My new Vinson will hit the back window if I dont block the front bulkhead-which means the gate must stay open. This means hooking up to the trailer is a issue... unless I take the gate off. Again-little issues, not all the trucks fault, A- it is.

 

[LRivera]

80k and running great! Its now my wifes daily driver. I did have to put a backup camera on it though.

 

[JHardwick]

259,873 miles with the clutch @ 190,*** being the only major component needing replaced, the throw-out bearing bit the dust.

 

[ShaneBoone]

03 with 65,000, great truck

Geat truck, remember the HO common rail has no emission equipment, and my doolie has 3" exhaust with no factory cats. All changed in the 04. 5 truck.



Only had a power steering pump hose fitting crack. (which you lose power brakes too) pulling a trailer with another vehicle and still made it home. $60 for the hose and an easy fix.



Common failures are front axle and rear driveline u-joints. Look for rust at the lower edge of the cups. DC fixed my front u-joints under my warrenty.

 

[JJPage]

I would not trade my "03", in it's current state, for a brand new one straight across!



The only weak spot, if you choose to call it that, would be the auto trans, wether it be the 47RE or the 48RE. Even if you leave the power stock, 2nd gear and OD clutches seem to have premature failure. I have seen it first hand on my own @8k and my Father in law's @11k.



When DTT had mine apart they proved it to me! They(DTT) also told me that they believed the 47RE was a better transmission(to build) because it had less mass.



My Father in law's truck is for sale, 2003 QC 2500 SRW SLT SPORT, 305/555 WHITE, completely stock, 30k miles. $25,000. 00. He only needs a "grocery getter" so he's looking at the new Toyota Tundra.



PM me for his #, if interested?

 

[amsoilman]

My 03' is an early build HO. I only have 65,000 + miles, but have no complaints at all! Check my sig for tha options.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[bighammer]

I'm at almost 60,ooo and trying to think of problems... .

Altenator bracket and steering box (both covered by DC)
Power door lock wire broke in rear door.
Axle U joints on both sides
Ashtray broke


It seems as soon as I tell somebody my mileage numbers, it drops 2 or 3 on the next tank, (to about 17) so I won't say anything. It's pretty good considering it's on 315 BFGs, has that very un-aerodynamic (very poorly powdercoated) Ranch Hand bumper. (as well as Tough Country running boards, fender flares, tow mirrors, etc. , all conspiring to cause parasitic drag)

It's really been a great truck

I thought I had lost my iPod Nano yesterday, so I went looking thru everything, including the truck. Can't see under the seats well and I'm pulling out trash and stuff from under, when my arm gets stuck. My watchband hooked on something, so I'm out in my nearly zero-degree garage with no coat and stuck arm. I pulled and broke the watchband because I really couldn't tell what it was stuck on, and decided the center seat seatbelts were part of the problem that I couldn't see. Out comes the knife and they are gone.

I was having a bad day and took it out on my truck. Nobody ever sits in the middle anyway. The way I have bent the shifter closer, I don't think it would be comfortable, and their feet would hit the train horn valve. Now I can honestly say they would be safer in the back, cause I"M NOT SHARING MY AIRBAG.

(wife had picked up my iPod and took it to work by mistake)

 

[CBari]

My 03 Now Has 98k On It And Except For 1 Injector And Having The Trans Rebuild At 57k It Has Been A Good Truck Most Of Its Mile Are Pulling Between 8500 And 15k Horse Trailers. My O4. 5 Milage Has Always Been Better But It Is Also Only 2500 And Doesn't Have The Drag Of The Duals. I Can Tell A Big Difference In The Pulling Power Between The Two. If I Was Looking For A New Truck I Would Go With The 04. 5. That's Just My Two Cents Though. By The Way Both Are 3. 73 With The 48re.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mines a very early unit too and has been super reliable but I've only got 52K on her.

I usually get 19 to 24 mpg so I'm happy!

 

[KDOHM]

115K and Running like new

The only things I've had is u-joints (DC bought me a complete rear driveshaft), lift pump @ 80K ("upgraded" to the in-tank pump), just today put on 2nd set of tires (Bridgestone Revo) - not bad! Truck still has original brake pads - thanks to the Jake, the quad cab is the perfect size for our kids (4 & 7 yo), no Cat,... ... ... . List goes on and on - I love this truck

 

[HOBrian]

80k and the only issue so far is DW. :{ Truck is stock.

 

[NUKEMAN]

70k on mine, build date 06/02, so it's a very early one. So far, best truck I have ever owned. I have an occasional sticking idle at 1000 RPM, but that is the only issue I have ever had. Still gets 17-18 MPG in town even with 37's.



Only complaints with the '03 (improvements DC could have made):



Better sheet metal (Don't lean against it).

Better Headlights (Even with Silverstars, they suck).

Better "Premium" stereo (The OEM Infinity is a waste).



Oh, and they should have put gauges, a bigger turbo, intake... ... .....

 

[rbattelle]

68k, no major issues (knock on wood).



Watch for front u-joints. Common to go bad within 75k.



Ryan

 

[pipeguy]

My 03 has 140,000 miles on it.



Lost a CP3 stock at 30,000



trani work due to mods ... U joints due to big tires and torque...



thats about it