New guy and potential 03 2500 buyer

[2t2-crash]

It's not GAS- it's FUEL.

whoops... force of habit.


I added some fuel additive, paid for it and got my title. I brought her home and proceeded to clean the heck out of her for the next hour and a half.

I'll keep reading and learning. I'll probably take the shell off the bed, plus I need to fix the "Oh Sh#$" handle that got busted off on the driver's side.

 

[Wayne M.]

Bought it? So what did you think? Please details and a picture! Good luck!

 

[2t2-crash]

Bought it? So what did you think? Please details and a picture! Good luck!

I loved it the second I got her moving! The torque is phenomenal for sure.
the clutch and six speed is going to get some taking used to since I'm used to my 67 beetle where I can feel everything the clutch and transmission are doing but that's okay. I'll probably pull the canopy for now, plus in needs a few areas of attention inside but just driving it for two minutes and you know it's a solid truck.
#ad

#ad

 

[Wayne M.]

Very happy for you! Some tips on what I think you should do before putting in full service;
1- buy your filters and goodies from Genos. It's a mail order outfit that's related to the folks who started this whole site and magazine. Good service, price, everything that's listed for your truck was proven to work- they don't sell junk. Start with their PM kit- you'll get an assortment of air, oil and fuel filters. Instant shelf stock. Don't do an oiled air filter- stay with the stock one!

2- change all the fluids. My picks are
engine- whatever oil is on sale, 15-40 Shell Rotella, Mobil Delvac, Chevron Delo, valvoline premium blue, etc. but it must be one of the heavy truck engine oils like that. 12 quarts.

3 Trans- you'll find much debate about this, but I stick with close to factory stuff, and this means Pennzoil Synchromesh. Remove the square cover on the right side to drain, refill at the big hex plug on the left side. Genos has the hex wrench and all gaskets you'd ever need.

4 Transfer case and power steering- use synthetic ATF meeting Chrysler ATF+4 spec. It's in any store, read the bottle.
5 Rears- same as your jeeps, a good synthetic, I use a 75-90. I don't tow much. Those gaskets are reusable, but really check the condition of the covers for rust. The aftermarket is a candy store for covers.

Pay close attention to the engine oil pan. They're known to rust out and eventually leak. Some guys wipe them down with oil, some clean and paint them. A lot of us have had to change em. Search here for good reading.

 

[2t2-crash]

Your post is a big help.

i searched and haven't found anything recent regarding this... I want to add keyless entry and remote start to this thing, what's the best route to go?

i still need to give her a name too.

 

[Wayne M.]

Judging from the grille, it should be SLT trim model. If it is, I thought Remote Keyless Entry was standard, and should have a seperate fob. Someone with the right scan tool can do a module scan and see if it has the RKE module. Ask uncle if he has a fob stuffed away somewhere.
Remote start? Sorry I don't get involved in that stuff. I would make a new post here asking about it.

 

[2t2-crash]

I asked my uncle and his Mother in law, neither knew of a key fob. I'll ask the dealership when I take it in for the airbag recall and the 45,000 mile servicing that will be due soon.
The PO kept every servicing receipt from Dodge and I even found the dealership window sticker!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Judging from the grille, it should be SLT trim model. If it is, I thought Remote Keyless Entry was standard, and should have a seperate fob. Someone with the right scan tool can do a module scan and see if it has the RKE module. Ask uncle if he has a fob stuffed away somewhere.
Remote start? Sorry I don't get involved in that stuff. I would make a new post here asking about it.

Nope, keyless entry was not standard with 03 SLT's but it's very easy to add - as I had to. Back in the day it was about a $100 kit.
You buy a module that plugs into the back of the instrument cluster and your good to go. No need to visit dealer or change any setting in the puter.

OP, you probably already know this but with our manual trans you don't want or need to give it any gas as you let out the clutch. Doing so will just make launching hard and heasten the demise of your clutch, especially if it's still the factory part.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[2t2-crash]

Nope, keyless entry was not standard with 03 SLT's but it's very easy to add - as I had to. Back in the day it was about a $100 kit.
You buy a module that plugs into the back of the instrument cluster and your good to go. No need to visit kealer or change any setting in the puter.

OP, you probably already know this but with our manual trans you don't want or need to give it any gas as you let out the clutch. Doing so will just make launching hard and heasten the demise of your clutch, especially if it's still the factory part.

I didn't know that, thankyou Prairie Dog. My clutch is an aftermarket easier press clutch that the PO installed, he had a leg issue so it wasn't strong enough to fully press the clutch in and thus burned it out.
Pill play with just easing the clutch out. I'm still learning this clutch/6 speed combo.... Waaaay different than my Beetle,s four speed and feel everything clutch!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Here you go: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-2005-D...ash=item2c98dd9682:g:OzMAAOSw34FVEUN6&vxp=mtr

I'm starting to have second thoughts about whether the dealer has to do something or not. It was back in 2002 after all!
I remember going to the dealer to get the DRL's activated but don't remember if they had to do anything else for the keyless - but I don't think so..

EDIT: OK I found a reciept for having the dealer "activate keyless entry installed by customer".
They charged me $35.

 

[2t2-crash]

Well she passed emission, now to sit in line at the DMV for an hour

 

[Prairie Dog]

Well she passed emission, now to sit in line at the DMV for an hour

The exact oposite of quality time.
At least it passed. I often have trouble with one test station that keeps failing me becuase the eng isn't hot enough - even after a 20 minute drive to get there.

 

[2t2-crash]

Wasn't too bad, now I just need to wait for my Veteran plates to arrive

 

[2t2-crash]

My replacement driver side grab handle and trim piece is on the way along with a 3' Firestik CB antenna.
now I just need to find a write up on installing a push-ON button switch for the clutch safety switch.

 

[Wayne M.]

You're a veteran? Do tell more.

I've never had an issue with my clutch switch. I think it's on the pedal under the dash. Shouldn't be too hard. In cases like that, I get the part and looking at that, solve how to install it.

 

[2t2-crash]

You're a veteran? Do tell more.

I've never had an issue with my clutch switch. I think it's on the pedal under the dash. Shouldn't be too hard. In cases like that, I get the part and looking at that, solve how to install it.

I was in the Air Force from 02-2013. I was a 2T271 which is career code for Air Transportation field. In short we handled cargo and passenger operation and loading for air movement. In a nut shell we pushed heavy stuff on planes day in and day out. :-laf
Ive been to Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Turkey and the U.A.E. And have a heavy dislike of sand storms and giant spiders that like to chase people. LOL
IMGOT OUT AT 12 years as a Technical Sergeant because my back and knee were all busted up and I can't run anymore.

 

[Wayne M.]

Cool. Thanks for your service. So you've never pushed a humvee OUT of a plane?

 

[2t2-crash]

Cool. Thanks for your service. So you've never pushed a humvee OUT of a plane?

Nope... They were surprisingly still running when the planes landed. :-laf

Air or delivery is the one part of my career field I never got to do.

ETA: looks like my reverse lights are intermittently not working while in reverse.. Time to google and search the location of the switch.

 

[2t2-crash]

My replacement grab handle, Firestik CB whip and veteran plates all arrived this week.
I had to swap my old CB into the truck because the one installed was a cheep of that wouldn't tune right. It took some work but I got it in a workable spot.
#ad