Looking at Brand New 2003

[InThinAir]

So I am looking to buy a Brand new 2003. It had some paint problems so it was sent back and repainted in some sections. So it hasn't sat on the lot too long, as they got it back from painting recently. I am looking to save a little money on getting a new one, as I have been looking for a used truck and haven't been impressed with how the general public takes care of these things.



Anyways, I am looking at a 3500 HO 6 sp with a build date of 3/2003. I am going to take it for a spin this Friday. So I am aware of the Vibration problems and will look for that, but is that a late enough build date to not need the reflash?



And is there anything else I should be concerned about with that build date?



---Doug

 

[DPelletier]

I just bought a new '03 a month and a half ago. Build date was 06/03. Some things I checked after reading the pertinent posts here;



- 1) Paint quality (you've got more issues here)

- 2) Paint chips - transit damage

- 3) tape instead of plugs on back side of rockers

- 4) door and hood alignment

- 5) check for oil leaks

- 6) 6 spd for smooth shifting and no grinding esp. 2-3 and 3-4 shifts. Check cold if possible.

- 7) Check neutral rattle (see TSB 06-001-03, affect trucks build before May 11th, 2003)

- 8) Confirm that fluid levels have been checked, esp. rear diff.

- 9) Check for drone or vibration in steering wheel and throttle, 1800 - 2300 RPM. Test in neutral and all gears.

- 10) Drive up to 75 mph to check potential driveline vibration/balancing issues (esp. front driveshaft)

- 11) check steering for pull to the right.



I was lucky and the truck passed the test with only a couple of issues; some paint chips due to the 500 mi delivery drive in the winter, and I had the tape instead of rocker plugs. Made dealer order the plugs.



I remember reading about the paint issue and I would do a search on it and learn as much as possible. If there was a problem with the primer, for instance, a partial repaint isn't going to make it right.



If you can satisfy yourself that all is good, I wouldn't hesitate to buy an '03. You can do a search on the differences between the '03 and '04, but they are all very minor (up until '04. 5), especially if you're looking at an SLT rather than a Laramie.

Good luck



Dave

 

[RobertBolinger]

And make sure you get the $4500 incentive!!!

 

[InThinAir]

Dave, Thanks That is great info! I will definately check those items. The rattle issues are a concern. I have test driven several with the rattle and some without. If it rattles what should I do? it does sound like the TSBs are starting to solve the issues? But should I not take the Truck?



Robert, actually it is considered a used truck and is on the used lot with under 75 miles on the odo. The explaination from the dealer is that since it was repainted it has an in service date and therefore is considered used. So no incentive but a new car at a used car price.



---Doug

 

[DPelletier]

Doug,

If the rattle your referring to is the clutch rattle, I wouldn't be overly concerned. According to Peter at Southbend Clutch, the rattle is merely annoying and not doing any damage. Also with the TSB listed, you could have the clutch replaced under warranty. I would have bought my truck whether or not it had the clutch rattle. I would not have bought it if it had the other vibration problems that some have complained about as a fix seems elusive. There is a TSB for a loose data plate one the rad pillar and also for the power steering pump line (new one has a "dampener" on it), but these don't seem to fix 100 percent of the vibration/drone issues. Do a search and you'll have plenty of reading. I read somewhere that 1 in 10 trucks experienced a similar issue. My belief (and I'm frequently wrong ) is that there are several minor and potentially a couple of major issues surrounding the whole vibration/drone issue, including;



- perception and expectations - more noises are audible due to the quieter HPCR. ie on some trucks there isn't really a problem.



- loose parts vibrating (such as the data plate)



- power steering hose vibration (from engine). get updated hose or tie the two hoses together with zip-ties.



- exhaust/harmonics. Perhaps due to 3rd gen exh. manifold and turbo placement. The exhaust manifold has apparently been revised for '04. 5. Coincidence? perhaps. This situation may be aggravated by the exhaust hangers and amplified.



- front driveline out of balance (obviously doesn't happen in neutral and should repeat at two or three different speeds). Can be diagnosed by removing the front driveshaft and re-testing.

I have heard rumors of driveshaft balancing issues.



hope this helps. Also take a look at all the TSB's on Dave Fritz's site. Link is under member sites.



Dave

 

[Blownaway]

My 03 has tape underneath plugging the rocker panel holes, can I get that taken care of for free? 3500miles right now.

 

[flimmy]

Originally posted by RobertBolinger

And make sure you get the $4500 incentive!!!

Plus it looks like there might be $500 more also. $5000



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=89144

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

InThinAir, my 3500 was built March 6, 2003 and hasn't had any of the problems mentioned by Pelletier, but mine is a 2-wheel drive. Dodge had done some updates (later ECM flash, alternator bracket revision, APPS relocation) by this time so I wouldn't be concerned with that build date. But for the most part it seems even the earliest trucks have been excellent overall for a brand new design.



Vaughn

 

[DPelletier]

Blownaway,



I haven't heard of any dealer refusing to supply the plugs for free, when asked.

FWIW the owners manual indicates plugs.



InThinAir,



I hope I didn't scare you with a large list of issues! For the most part, these trucks seem to have very few problems. Its just that us TDR members are very informed due to the vast amount of information on this site.



Good luck,

Dave