Thinkin about a 3rd gen

[swalls]

currently own a 98. 5 quad cab, auto, 133K miles, original stock transmission and engine. Nothing really wrong except will need a throttle position sensor soon. I pull a 26' travel trailer up to the mountains 3-4 times a year, the rest of the time it's my personal vehicle, and sits in the garage except on weekends.

I'm thinking about an 03 or 04 to take over old Silver's duties. There are several here in the West Texas area on various car lots.

My question is: did either of this year models have start-up bugs that you should be wary of? How has the stock 48RE held up in towing? I have read several posts that the 3rd gen seats aren't worth a darn, and a very few where the injectors have leaked diesel into the crankcase.

I'm sure a lot of you guys have already made the move to a 3rd gen. Question: If you had a choice now, would you still go for a 3rd gen, or would you have put a DTT/ATS transmission in your 2nd gen, bought half a dozen extra lift pumps and 1 spare VP-44, and just kept it?

 

[curatchko]

In my opinion, as an owner of a 99 w/cummins, and an 04 /cummins, there is NO comparison between a 3rd gen, and a 2nd gen, other than possibly looks.



I still like the 2nd gen body. Even today against all the other brands it still does not look dated.



But as for quality, fit and finish, interior trim, noise, ride, handling, towing and general performance, it's light years beyond a 2nd gen in my opinion.

 

[DPelletier]

I haven't regretted buying mine (either one) for even a split second. My 2001. 5 was a nice truck, but the 3rd gen is more advanced (as you would expect). There were no significant start-up bugs to speak of. Check out dodgeram.org and look at the TSB's; some early rattling clutches and a power steering hose upgrade. My '03 has nearly 30,000 on it now and I haven't set foot in the dealership since the day I bought it. No bugs OR regrets here!



Dave

 

[LBARTLETT]

I owned every year cummins from 94 through 02, just got a 04. 5 1 ton 4X4 crew cab with an automatic, you won't believe the ride, I think the seats are much more comfortable overall, my biggest pleasure is the steering improvements over the 2nd generation 4X4's

 

[gjacobs]

My '03 has 85K on it now, no problems at all. Love it, still do not regret the new payment book.

 

[gonzo2]

Take one for a cruise. The answer will be self evident.

Buying used, I would take it up for a sustained highway run. Earlier some units seemed to have vibration/noise problems that were not easy to diagnose/fix but there seem to be less of those issues now. Injectors do not seem to be a problem.

I don't have one but the 48RE seems to be holding up rather well.