get an 02 or an 03??

[dsaint69]

Having a tough time making this decision Guys. I have a choice in getting a real nice 3500 HO with sport package that's an 02, but I also know of a beautiful 03 laramie 3500 ho with similar options. I kind of want to hold out for the 02 because the engine rattles and lets you know your in a diesel, where as the 03 has the 3rd gen engine and is much quieter. Any advantages to getting one or the other?? AM I stupid to hold out for a nice 02??

 

[klenger]

Any advantages to getting one or the other?? ??

3rd Gen advantages:

Four Doors

More power

Power towing mirrors

3500 SRW

No lift pump problems

 

[gsbrockman]

3rd Gen advantages:

Four Doors

More power

Power towing mirrors

3500 SRW

No lift pump problems

You left out:

Better ride quality

Killer brakes



Greg

 

[DHayden]

The 03's look sharp and have the "4 doors" so to speak, thats the only thing I miss on having an 01' , but I LOVE my o1'! I have 4 wheel discs and havent ever had a breaking problem, but I put on EGR's so that may have made a difference. A SRW 1-ton is not an advantage to me but to each his own. More power is minimal considering we ALL know your going to put a box on it anyway!

I think the 03's and up are what the 24v's are to the 12v's, a bigger jump into electronic headacheville and needing more attention from the peaple who want to be paid with gold bars. Ultimately its your money and your choice, I'm sure if you close your eyes and imagine a truck sitting in your driveway, one of the two pops in your mind first.

 

[BHolm]

They each have merits, they each have some issues IMO. The third gen gets you the bigger brakes, much improved front suspension geometry, stronger frame, quiet powerful engine and the newer look. It also gets you American axles instead of the Dana's, much higher likelyhood of an injector problem, and possibly a warranty you do not want to void with mods.



The second gen may have lift pump issues but that sounds preferable to injector issue in my book. I kind of like the noise as well, though my wife does not agree, I actually like the interior better on the '02, and I think if(or when) I was going to BOMB one, it would be a second gen just because it is a simpler design.



Both are pretty good trucks. If left stock I would go 3rd gen, if modified 2nd gen.

 

[SRadke]

Nobody has mentioned the tight steering of the third gens. Less than 3 turns lock to lock, the best driving truck I've ever driven.



-Scott

 

[dsaint69]

I see your point, this will be tougher than I thought, because I do plan on modding it out with some Banks products, as well as other things... but I do love the fact of getting 4 doors. They got rid of the DANA's in 03?? That sucks! And does anyone know of Dodge coming out with a mercedes transmission to compete with the Allison in the GM's?? I supposedly heard they are? Anyone?

 

[SRadke]

The 6 speed is now a "G56", the unit Mercedes uses. No word on going away from the 48re automatic yet. You won't find a "Mercedes transmission" in an 03 truck.



-Scott

 

[DPKetchum]

Prefer AAM axels over Danas in my book. Have read that 58re/68re are in test mules now. (5 and 6 speed autos)Who knows when that may happen. I jumped from a 93 1st generation to a 03 because I never wanted or liked a lot of things about 2nd generation trucks.

 

[CLAYTON]

I kind of want to hold out for the 02 because the engine rattles and lets you know your in a diesel, where as the 03 has the 3rd gen engine and is much quieter.

The engine is a bit quieter but throw on a straight pipe and you'll love the sound.

 

[2broke2smoke]

we have one of each ... put 20k on the '01 and 30k on the '03 last year



trust me the '03 does EVERYTHING better



the only thing we like about the '01 is the view out of the front windshield



the '03 cummins motor has numerous improvements ...



most of people like the sound of the '01 better but that's until they realize that the quiet engine is the next step in Cummins evolution ...



any '03 owner who misses their second gen that bad can trade me out of my '01 ... i'll gladly take an '03, 70 mph vibe and all

 

[catoiler]

I had a 02 and now have a 03. If their was any way to turn back the clock I would still have the 02!I like some things about the 03 but overall the 02 was a much better truck in MY opinion.

 

[cyborg]

I would buy a 3rd gen today if it had: Dana axles; club cab, with hidden rear door; OD lock out; and a lift pump on the motor.



Okay, just kidding about the lift pump.

 

[DPKetchum]

Why Dana axels? Clutchs wore out in them often? AAM's are fine. Hidden doors? Every one always tried to slam the wrong one first. OD lock out. My neighbor is a horse hauler. Got about 17k on his 05 48re. Says it works great as long as you realize how it works. He can't understand what all the moaning is about this lockout thing.

 

[jjdiesel]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the sorry VP$$(44). To me, that's the biggest problem of all. No Cummins previous or since has experienced so many injection pump failures... . talk about leaving you high and dry on the side of the road!! Tha latest TDR shows how the launch of the 3rd gens has blown even the infamous 12 valves out of the water for fewest problems. That's a pretty strong testimony for the reliability of the 3rd gens. I'd get that one over the '02 in a heartbeat. This common rail fuel delivery is pretty awesome. Just my 02.

 

[lil red cummins]

based on my 04. 0 performance, i would say get the 03.



this series of 3rd gens, through the 305/555 combo, seem to be the most reliable, based on what i have read here.



BTW you can get some diesel knock back with the aftermarket boxes. mine sounds "normal" quite often.



jim

 

[cyborg]

Why Dana axels? Clutchs wore out in them often? AAM's are fine. Hidden doors? Every one always tried to slam the wrong one first. OD lock out. My neighbor is a horse hauler. Got about 17k on his 05 48re. Says it works great as long as you realize how it works. He can't understand what all the moaning is about this lockout thing.

Dana's axles are proven. Period. AAM are ? Working out a few bugs, really no biggie.



Clutches are a product of the LSD of choice. LSDs by their nature require more maintenance i. e. fluid changes. My 91 jeep XJ has the original LSD, still works perfect after 170k of hard use, but with regular changes.



I know, I know "this (device) is computer controlled, you don't need that anymore, the computer will decide". "open the door HAL". There is a reason why PTO equipment (pumps and such) are most efficient when running in direct drive 1:1. Come up the east side of the sierras, cross over Sonora or Ebbetts, or any 8k pass. Towing in OD is okay for the flats, I guess.

edit: They say automatics are for people without left feet, mine is a little short, just above the knee.



In 5+ years I haven't done the wrong door thing.

I don't need or want a Crew Cab. In fact If I had to choose between a Club Cab or a four door, I would take the Club Cab. I have no kids to take to soccer.



VP-44? Just shoot me.

 

[RTuvell]

Having a tough time making this decision Guys. I have a choice in getting a real nice 3500 HO with sport package that's an 02, but I also know of a beautiful 03 laramie 3500 ho with similar options. I kind of want to hold out for the 02 because the engine rattles and lets you know your in a diesel, where as the 03 has the 3rd gen engine and is much quieter. Any advantages to getting one or the other?? AM I stupid to hold out for a nice 02??

Come on, this is a "no-brainer". The 03 is the only way to go! Consider yourself fortunate that you found one!

 

[Scrappy]

truck

I'd take the '03, it is more loaded(being a laramie) I have had an '01 sport and an '03 laramie and it is so much better.

 

[gsbrockman]

In 5+ years I haven't done the wrong door thing.

I don't need or want a Crew Cab. In fact If I had to choose between a Club Cab or a four door, I would take the Club Cab. I have no kids to take to soccer.



VP-44? Just shoot me.

I indeed did not need a Crew Cab, either, but I've not even thought about looking back at my 2000 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab CTD. I've made my choice & I have a 4 year old daughter that does not play soccer, too.

Greg