it's been a year and this FORD has to go

[Todd T]

OK, it will be a year on the 23rd that i have lived with this PSD. i cant stand it anymore!



I'm looking to trade the X for a 3rd gen Dodge. the kids will just have to grin and bear it. Daddy cant stand the thought of this thing shedding its engine any minute, no longer.



enough said. could you guys please tell me first what year i should be looking for and next what to look out for?



I think i want a single wheel but would consider a dually.



how are the new autos holding up? how much HP can they stand before i have to totally rebuild (beef Up) one. are we still talking the whole transmission and new converter to beef one up or what is needed now to get them to hold, if they dont.



same thing on the manual? i know about 80HP added was all the stock clutch could hold before how are they now?

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Todd T

enough said. could you guys please tell me first what year i should be looking for and next what to look out for?



I jumped on the bandwagon when the 3rd generation 03's came out and have no serious complaints about mine at all--and I started my search more than a year ago by looking at Fords and hating new vehicles with a passion. I am no longer a Ford fan and I'm slowly changing my mind about new vehicles, as least the Dodge Ram. The only complaint I have that is close to serious is that the paint ain't all that good, but the paint posts seem to indicate bad paint is an industry-wide problem, not a DC problem. I'm keeping mine stock for now so I don't have any input on modifications, but to me keeping the warranty active and valid is a big hammer DC has above my head.

 

[Todd T]

thanks Crunch. I dont buy many new vehicles. i have only bought two new vehicles in my time and seemed to love both and have come back to one and plan to come back the second soon.



what i mean is we bought a 95 impala new and sold it 9 mos later for a profit. I have kicked myslef for ever selling that car and we just picked up another and it WONT be sold. the other new vehicle i have bought was my 01 ram. I still miss that truck and now i'm looking to come back



I've been searching here and will start pricing them soon. I would like to be back into a Dodge/Cummins by end of summer 04.

 

[KBennett]

Go 3G!

I never even test drove the competition. The number of satisfied Dodge Cummins customers including my Dad made me buy what I feel is still the best diesel truck. A friend told me I was a fool for buying the Dodge after all problems he and his company had with the Ford PS. I told him not all diesels are created equal

The fit and finish is as good as the Toyota pickup I had before.



When you make your decision get the HO engine, you will not be disappointed in the power. Mine is completely stock and even though it is not a race car it pulls like no other truck I have driven.

My wife calls it the untamed horse



Your back seat on the X will definitely be bigger than mine but for me it is the perfect compromise between a crew cab and an extended cab.



The best part about owning a Dodge Cummins is the TDR. I discovered this site after I bought my truck and the vast knowledge of these guys amazes me.

 

[TravisG]

Welcom back

Well its about time, I wondered when you were gonna get rid of that big 'ol beast. congratulations. Merry Christmas. Travis



P. S. I will shout you a holler when I get back frome Goerends.

 

[Todd T]

thanks Travis I want a ride!



maybe for those that dont know i should qualify myself. I have onwer three dodge/cummins trucks. i went to the Ford out of frustration for a larger back seat to haul my three kids.



as far as the HO engine, I will be modifying the truck pretty extensively so unless there is a reason to have the HO for strength or ease of modifications be it cost or less parts or time needed I'm sure I'll surpass what the HO has in stock form. FWIW my 01 dyno'd @ 369/1080 the 97 Travis bought from me I never dyno'd but can keep up with traffic eh' Trav?

 

[DPelletier]

I would get a HO, but not necessarily for the power (although the gallery cooled pistons, etc. may make the engine last a little longer in high HP useage), but for the transmission. Need to get the HO to get the 6spd or the 48RE. If you want an exh brake, I would suggest a 6 spd. (see thread on 48RE exh. brake compatibility). The 48 is stronger than a 47 and the 5600 is stronger than a 4500 (5spd. ). As far as which year goes, there is not alot of differences unless you are going to get a new 2004. 5 (and then no-one knows what they are, exactly). There are a few trim items different between '03 and '04, mostly on Laramies. The transmission controller for the 48RE is different in '04. A couple of colors changed. Biggest difference to me is the availability of rear headrests on the '04.

I bought my '03 in November this year. Paid about $5,000. 00 less for it than a similarly equipped '04. Couldn't see paying that kind of money for head rests!

Also check the TSB's on Fritz's site to make sure that you don't end up having to deal with an issue that is already known. Alot of the TSB's have an MDH (build date) listed for affected vehicles.

Things to check for;

- vibration drone @ 1800 - 2200 RPM felt in steering wheels or pedals

- clutch rattle in neutral (6 spd) affects early '03's

- steering pulling to the right

- wind noise/whistles at speed.



overall these trucks seem to have very few problems.

Sorry for the loooong post.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[BHolm]

Whats wrong with the 2000 PSD? My 99 has 230k miles on it and shows no signs of slowing. I could understand your concern if it was a 6. 0L but the 7. 3's are solid engines.

 

[Dean Upson]

What KBennett said . I've had a 94 12 valve, a 98. 5 24 valve and now a HO '03. They were all good, this one is the best by far.

Good luck.



Dean

 

[MCummings]

I would be tempted to wait for the '04. 5's with the 325HP.

EGR, no EGR? Who knows... New transmission? maybe.



The more HP you start with, the more you can end up with !



Merrick

 

[jimnance]

I have loved every one of the four CTD's I've owned over the past 13 years. My '03 CTD is the very best by far!



My only complaint is Dodge/Chrysler Customer Service. It isn't, and it should be renamed Customer DIS-Service.



Good product and crappy warranty support.