is a 2003 2500 4x4 with 5 speed and ctd a good truck?

[BBowers]

I am looking at a 2003 2500 4x4 with 85000 miles and the 5 speed manual. I understand that means it has the 250 HP cummins. WIll a bullydog programmer(tripledog) work on it? will it break the transmission? is this motor identical except for rpm band to the 305 HP HO engine? is the 5 speed as tough as the 6 speed NV5600? does this model 5 speed have the 5th gear fall off the end of the shaft? i am looking at buying a truck on ebay, so am wondering if that's a good idea from a dealer.

 

[MMeier]

I am looking at a 2003 2500 4x4 with 85000 miles and the 5 speed manual. I understand that means it has the 250 HP cummins. WIll a bullydog programmer(tripledog) work on it? will it break the transmission? is this motor identical except for rpm band to the 305 HP HO engine? is the 5 speed as tough as the 6 speed NV5600? does this model 5 speed have the 5th gear fall off the end of the shaft? i am looking at buying a truck on ebay, so am wondering if that's a good idea from a dealer.

Is it from an actual "dealer" dealer, or one of those clowns that operate out of a warehouse and call them selves a dealer?

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

I had one of the 03 5 speed trucks and I really liked it. I had the tst on it. I like the 5 speed as far as driving empty and shifting, better than the 6 speed. Its a lot smoother and seems faster. But the 6 speed is a lot stronger in my experience. I've grenaded a few 5 speeds. And the input shafts are fairly easy to break. i'd say, if your trying to go fast, go with the 5 speed. If you wanna more dependable truck that can handle a lot of power and still work hard and tow, go with the 6 speed. just my $. 02.

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

I do a lot of buying and selling on ebay. i've bought over 50 Dodge Cummins trucks on there. I've never had a problem but once. It was a dealer in Texas. He mysteriously lost the title when we got there and wanted me to pay him and go on home and he would mail it to me. Yea right. Just always run the vin through a dodge place, run the vin through carfax and get them to fax you a copy of the title and don't pay til you get the original and you should be ok. Just a heads up, those texas dealer trucks are usually rougher than a night in jail.

 

[BBowers]

I am wondering about the "rough" comment, you mean beat up? I have looked at the photos of the truck, and yes a dealer has it. Valiant motors to be exact, but anyway, it has a carfax and the vin number in the ad and it looks good, but what if the vin is for another truck?

 

[Tomeygun]

I am looking at a 2003 2500 4x4 with 85000 miles and the 5 speed manual. I understand that means it has the 250 HP cummins. WIll a bullydog programmer(tripledog) work on it? will it break the transmission? is this motor identical except for rpm band to the 305 HP HO engine? is the 5 speed as tough as the 6 speed NV5600? does this model 5 speed have the 5th gear fall off the end of the shaft? i am looking at buying a truck on ebay, so am wondering if that's a good idea from a dealer.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that SO/NV4500 combo, Mine has always responded very well to power mods... And always seems to get decent mileage

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

Thats why I say run the vin through dodge, that way you can at least see if its the right truck. By rough, I mean their usually driven hard on those rough roads and used for work, then traded in for another to do the same thing. Those roads are what beat the suspension up I guess. I've just seem more rough trucks come from Texas than anywhere else.