Looking at '03-'04 trucks. Some???

[BDaugherty]

OK. So I'm about ready to move back to Cumminsville from my overly long stay in gasburnertown.

I've been looking at 03-04 6spd trucks. Are there any real reasons why I should hold out for a 04. 5-07?

My thoughts are as follows: 2 injection events instead of 3. NV5600 instead of G56. No cat converter. No in-tank fuel pump (unless it got retrofitted). Yes I know I would be giving up 20HP and 55ft/lbs.

I'm not looking at start a war here. I just want food for thought and honest opinions.

Future mods would be a tuner, low psi fuel system, and clutch. It would primarily be a daily driver and occasional tow/recovery/work truck.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Go with the 03 or 04. I see a significant difference in fuel mileage between my 03 and 07, tuned or not tuned. Yes, the 07 is a heck of a lot faster and would out pull the 03 any day of the week, but some of that is due to the 07 having the auto vs the manual in the 03.

I will tell you, not having to worry about the auto failing is great while behind the wheel of the 03.

One odd thing I have noticed, is the 03 has a more pronounced odor to it; you literally cannot sit and idle too long without getting gassed out. The 07 can idle all day long and you'd never get so much as a hint of exhaust fumes... no explanantion on that one?

 

[CKelley1]

the in tank pump is the way to go, we got ours changed under warranty. eliminates failure. you need better filtering and will most likely have to replace the injectors due to wear caused by the 10 micron stock filter. the following pix is how to on the filter most are mine the cat is a kit from a post this site i think it is $190 my setup is about $120 with both filters, the first filter is not really needed cutting cost to $60. get the smarty jr and set on default tow this will lower egt by about 250* and increase mpg by 2 pm me for part #'s if you want to build your own

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[04blackcherry]

I believe the '03-'04's had different HP ratings depending on application. As you are looking for an NV5600 you are more likely to find it with the HO motor. I am pretty sure the HO is paired up with the NV5600 in the heavy duty 2500 and the 3500. I don't believe you could get an automatic with the HO.

I keep a spare lift pump around. I found that easier than putting in an aftermarket pump. The first time I replaced it, it took less than an a hour.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Mid-year 03 the 48re was released and became an option behind the HO. NV5600 was solely behind the HO until 04. 5

 

[BDaugherty]

Thanks for the advice/info. Honestly, right now the hard part is just finding one. Plenty of auto's for sale. Found an awesome '05 dually in the classifieds here on TDR, but it's in California and at the top of my price range... . just doesn't leave me any a cash to go get it with... even though it would be a killer road trip back.

 

[MelvinPierce]

Mid-year 03 the 48re was released and became an option behind the HO. NV5600 was solely behind the HO until 04. 5

I believe 04 HO had 48re option. I have 04 with the HO engine, and 48re. 03 NV5600 only.

 

[rscurtis]

The HO with the auto. was available in '03. My signature truck was built in January of '03. Earlier auto's still used the 47RE with its second generation programming until the supply of 47's was used up. After that, the 48 was used with both the 250 and 305 engines.

 

[AaronOregon]

Mine is the early '04 and has the 325HO and the 48re. Best truck I have ever owned and gets around 22mpg on highway if cruise is set. Can't say anything bad about it although like the guy above said, it has some funky smells if idling to long. I think it is just the oil vent tube that hangs down. I kinda like it now though!

Aaron

 

[opjohnny]

You could get the nv5600 behind the 325/600 4. 5 truck. Just not for long.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

I believe 04 HO had 48re option. I have 04 with the HO engine, and 48re. 03 NV5600 only.

03 HO did indeed have an auto available

You could get the nv5600 behind the 325/600 4. 5 truck. Just not for long.

All 04 manuals are NV5600. 05 was the break, and 05 NV's are pretty hard to find; vast majority seem to be G56.

 

[cerberusiam]

05 was the break, and 05 NV's are pretty hard to find; vast majority seem to be G56.

Mid year MY05 switched to G56. Early 05's were NV5600 but they had plastic tanked CAC's.



All 03-05 HO's had a 48RE. On an SO you have to check even though the 47RE was out of production by Jan 03 they used them up in the Cali trucks, at least thru March.

 

[CToney]

I have a '03 with the mods listed in my signature. Power isn't less than the newer trucks if you mod things right. Exhaust is 3. 5" to the muffler on the early trucks. You can get adjustable high idle on the newer trucks. I would buy on condition and if you can buy an unmodified truck. Some guys do it right some guys go wild and this causes too much grief. My requirements are no big tires, no lift kits, no CAI, no loud exhaust, no pressure boxes, too much other bling also is a detriment. Granted there are good trucks with those mods out there but I think one would have more grief with a truck with those mods. I know of 2 trucks that needed rebuild because of too much fuel from programmers when the engines were cold. That could have happened on stock trucks too I guess but higher chances since they had some of those mods.

 

[ThomG]

Ckelly

I'd be interested in the parts list for your dual filter setup. Sure do appreciate someone else doing the research and parts chasing.

Thom

 

[S.Morris]

You will like the clean oil on your non 325hp engine. The 3rd inj event engines turn the oil black quick.

 

[NavyDood]

You will like the clean oil on your non 325hp engine. The 3rd inj event engines turn the oil black quick.

Yep. On my 04 305/555 with 25,000 miles on the oil it is still transparent enough to see the hashmarks on the dipstick and I don't even run a bypass.

Mine is the early '04 and has the 325HO and the 48re. Best truck I have ever owned and gets around 22mpg on highway if cruise is set. Can't say anything bad about it although like the guy above said, it has some funky smells if idling to long. I think it is just the oil vent tube that hangs down. I kinda like it now though!

Aaron

Early 04 was 305hp/555tq. Late 04 (a. k. a 04. 5) was 325hp/600tq. 05 was 325hp/610tq.

 

[AaronOregon]

Early 04 was 305hp/555tq. Late 04 (a. k. a 04. 5) was 325hp/600tq. 05 was 325hp/610tq.

You're right, I stand corrected. I went and looked and it is a 305. I thought it was 325.



Aaron

 

[rscurtis]

That should make your day. You have the best of the CR engines.

 

[BDaugherty]

I just wanted to update my post. About a week ago, I bout this '03 2500 4x4 short bed quad cab SLT NV5600, 305/555 engine. It has 248K miles and is all stock except for new 285/70R17 Nitto Trail Grapplers, a new OEM clutch, new ball joints, track bar bushings, sway bar end links, and a few other odds and ends. It does need a little work like rear axle seals, but the price was right.

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Oooooo!!! A Sport even! Nice! You'll love it I'm sure