H.O. or not

[Blue Ox1]

Does anyone know if there is a wasy you can read the v. I. N. number and tell which motor a truck has I'm looking at a 2003 auto but I don't want the standard output ,but this truck is around 100 miles away I don't want to waste the time if I don't have to

thanks's Joe

 

[Diesel Nut]

Look on the drivers side of the valve cover towards the front and you will see a white sticker. On that sticker should be listed a lot if info including Hp and Trq. 305hp, HO, 235hp, SO.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I dont think ther were any auto H. O 03's were there? Wasn't it 04 before Dodge got the 48RE out?

 

[Blue Ox1]

I was reading that late in the year of 03 you could get the 03 auto H. O. ,I'm hoping that is true.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

I THINK, without going out and looking mine has a build date of May 03. H. O. with 48RE.



Bill

 

[TRLRTRSH]

I had to go look, build date of 07/03

If you look at positon 8 of the VIN and have a C then it's a 5. 9L 6cyl TDHO



Bill

 

[tgrfan2]

I was reading that late in the year of 03 you could get the 03 auto H. O. ,I'm hoping that is true.

Two friends of mine got 2003 HO 48res in March 03. I think they were pretty scarce then though. Both have been great trucks so far.

 

[WStephens]

The C in the VIN designates the county it was built in Mexico

 

[T&Gauto]

driver side of the valve cover says 305hp or 325hp 325s are the ho's thats the easiest way to tell

 

[DPKetchum]

I and other friends when we bought in 03 never saw a STANDARD. Everthing we looked at was H. O. including a 6 speed built in late 02.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

driver side of the valve cover says 305hp or 325hp 325s are the ho's thats the easiest way to tell

There were no 325hp trucks in '03. The HOs were 305hp, standard output 250hp for autos & 5-speeds. '04 models were 305hp until January '04 when the 325hp model was introduced. Ever since then all engines are the same HP.



Vaughn

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Talking with my local DC service mgr. today he said that in their experience the 305 hp engine has been the most durable and trouble free.

So why did i buy a 325 hp. ?? Oo. Because it was a good deal.



Different subj..... he said they had an early 2005 in the other day that had 253k miles on it. Used for RV delivery from east to west coast and Alaska. Did the driver ever stop to sleep????

 

[tgrfan2]

Talking with my local DC service mgr. today he said that in their experience the 305 hp engine has been the most durable and trouble free.

So why did i buy a 325 hp. ?? Oo. Because it was a good deal.



Different subj..... he said they had an early 2005 in the other day that had 253k miles on it. Used for RV delivery from east to west coast and Alaska. Did the driver ever stop to sleep????

I tried to talk my friend out of his 03 (40K) into an 06 Megacab before I did the DTT on my 12V. He wouldn't go for it though. I love my 12V, but the suicide doors are a pain sometimes. From what I can tell so far his 03 is just as strong as my 06 work truck at 4K miles, but if the 06 loosens up as his did at around 12K the 06 will be very strong for a stock truck. I hope the fuel mileage picks up some too.

 

[ECappleman]

I dont think ther were any auto H. O 03's were there? Wasn't it 04 before Dodge got the 48RE out?

There wasn't?

I must of had mine specially made. :-laf

 

[TRLRTRSH]

This is from my service manual, Is it wrong??



VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

VIN CODING/LOCATIONS

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate is

located on the lower windshield fence near the left

a-pillar (Fig. 2). The VIN contains 17 characters that

provide data concerning the vehicle. Refer to the VIN

decoding chart to determine the identification of a

vehicle.

The VIN is also imprinted on the:

² Body Code Plate.

² Equipment Identification Plate.

² Vehicle Safety Certification Label.

² Frame rail.

To protect the consumer from theft and possible

fraud the manufacturer is required to include a

Check Digit at the ninth position of the VIN. The

check digit is used by the manufacturer and government

agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehicle

and official documentation. The formula to use

the check digit is not released to the general public.

POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION

1 Country of Origin 1 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation

3 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler De Mexico

2 Make D = Dodge

3 Vehicle Type 2 = Incomplete with Side Airbag

3 = Truck with Side Airbag

6 = Incomplete Less Side Airbag

7 = Truck Less Side Airbag

4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating G = 5,001-6000 lbs.

H = 6,001-7,000 lbs.

J = 7,001-8,000 lbs.

K = 8,001-9,000 lbs.

L = 9,001-10,000 lbs.

M = 10,001-14,000 lbs.

W = Buses/Incomplete Vehicles with Hydraulic Brakes

5 Vehicle Line A = Ram Pickup 4X2

U = Ram Pickup 4X4

6 Series 1 = 1500

2 = 2500

3 = 3500 Less Dual Rear Wheels

4 = 3500 With Dual Rear Wheels

7 Body Style 6 = Conventional Cab

8 = Quad Cab Full Rear Doors

Fig. 2 VIN LOCATION

1 - DASH PANEL

2 - VIN CODE PLATE

2 INTRODUCTION DR

POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION

8 Engine K = 3. 7L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline

N = 4. 7L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline

D = 5. 7L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline

6 = 5. 9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel

C = 5. 9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel High Output

W = 8. 0L 10 cyl. MPI Gasoline

Z = 5. 9L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline Light Duty

9 Check Digit 0 through 9 or X

10 Model Year 3 = 2003

11 Plant Location S = Dodge City

G = Saltillo

J = St. Louis (North)

12 thru 17 Vehicle Build Sequence

VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL

INFORMATION (VECI)

DESCRIPTION

All models have a Vehicle Emission Control Information

(VECI) Label. DaimlerChrysler permanently

attaches the label in the engine compartment (Fig.

3). The label cannot be removed without defacing

label information and destroying label.

The label contains the vehicle’s emission specifications

and vacuum hose routings. All hoses must be

connected and routed according to the label.

The label also contains an engine vacuum schematic.

There are unique labels for vehicles built for

sale in the state of California and the country of

Canada. Canadian labels are written in both the

English and French languages.

The VECI label contains the following:

² Engine family and displacement

² Evaporative family

² Emission control system schematic

² Certification application

² Engine timing specifications (if adjustable)

² Idle speeds (if adjustable)

² Spark plug and gap

Fig. 3 VEHICLE EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION

INFORMATION LABEL

1 - VECI LABEL LOCATION

2 - RADIATOR SUPPORT

DR INTRODUCTION 3

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (Continued)

 

[Prairie Dog]

There wasn't?

I must of had mine specially made. :-laf

You'll notice I used question marks, not periods.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

The C in the VIN designates the county it was built in Mexico

Mine is the HO with a 6 speed. When I changed the fuel filter about a month ago, the NAPA parts guy told me the above info - they had two different filters. The filter I bought was right, so I think the above info is correct.

 

[Blue Ox1]

Thank's bajabill that is what I'm looking for a breakdoown of the VIN #,It looks like the one I wanted is a S. O. so I think I will pass on it.

 

[ECappleman]

You'll notice I used question marks, not periods.

It was a joke... . Geeeeezzzzz