Trouble spots with 3rd Gen's

[RIDGERACING]

06 with 20,000mi , No problems to date. Love it!

Would be nice to get better mileage (16-17. 5) as of now with mixed driving (60% highway) . Towing not impressed with mileage (9. 5-11) with a 6k box trailer going 70-75mph. I was getting 10-11 with my Titan gas truck.

 

[JGrosso]

Don Shehi,



I'm not sure about a TSB on the vibration problem. They first tried ballancing/rotation the tires, and shimming the driveshaft. Then they replaced the driveshafts which helped a little bit. I actually suggested the idea to the technician that the vibration could be the rear axle. They ordered up a complete new rear axle assembly and installed it, and the vibration problem was completely gone.



I mainly got the Banks techni-cooler system just to get rid of the '05 plastic ended intercooler. I think it may have helped lower my EGT's slightly, but really I couldn't tell all that much difference. My plan was to bomb the truck pretty good with new trans, injectors and turbo in the future, but I got layed-off from my job so the mods are on hold for now.



This brings up the exhaust, like I said, I planed on more modifications. The exhaust may have also helped lower EGTs slightly and may have even gained a few HP because I'm not running the cat.



I think if you don't plan to really go crazy with mods, the stock "non-plastic" intercooler is good, along with the stock exhaust with an aftermarket muffler.

As for the high-ram, maybe a dyno could tell the difference? I think the truck is faster because my wallet is lighter

 

[ColemanR]

As long as you turn off the switch, they'll go off within a couple of minutes... . think this is a feature... mine does same thing

if you turn the key off before you turn the headlites off they stay on for a bit ,if you turn the lites off first there off. #1 cracked exaust manifold @50000 #2 front pinion seal@75000 #3 check engine lite @85000 (dealer says cam sensor code just a glitch) #4 left rear axle seal @90000 currently @92000 running strong

 

[JCallanan]

problems 03 2500 2wd

62000 miles rear end went out. pinion bearing went and in so doing they had to replace most of the other components

 

[martion007]

I've got 03 2by4 with 545,975 miles on it, I tow campers with it, so loaded 1/2 the time, fuel milage has increased with millage? empty at 68 I get over 20 aven as high as 24mpg. I'm not asking you to beleive it, because you won't. But it's true. Hard bed cover helps. I've had to reflash the engine once, it would begin to windout without my foot on pedals, only by turning off key could I stop it. I would say the week spots are front steering. I've replaced a total of 4 upper a-arms (due to play)and 2 rack & pinion steering units, once you get play at inner tie rod ends you can't buy replacements, have to replace the whole thing. Also I replaced 2 lift pumps before I put one in tank.

Hope the one in tank lasts. The front wheel bearings will last forever if you take the speed sencer probe out and inject grease into it every year, I still have original wheel bearings. replaced water pump, power stearing pump, rear brahe shoes, Oh the pilot bearing begines to go dry every 250,000miles, next time I will put a bushing to replace it when I change my first clutch disk next summer, same rear end, same 6 sp transmission, same engine, Engine still has the same power as it had new, but sounds a little different. Nothing beats a DODGE, my goal is to get a million plus out of HER.

 

[martion007]

not rear brake shoes, but rear brake pads

 

[martion007]

The reason some of Your headlights stay on is because, inside the switch there is a copper coating that comes off and shorts between the current lines. You can easily take the switch apart, (carefully) wipe the grease off with the copper coating, just reapply a new coating of grease and then your headlights will turn off better, As for a rear axel going out at 62k? At the factory they don't fill them up and they are low when you buy it, also you must use a full synthetic oil, My rear end at 545,975 miles does not show very much wear.

 

[honda350rmx]

early 03. had the clutch noise.

the heat to the floor b/s

other than that just it seanes ever thing hits my truck now that i have a nice one

 

[fj40dave]

U-Joint froze up at 20k

Drive line vibration fixed with angle adjustment

Windshield wiper motor replaced @ 35k... ... . delay quit delaying

Door seals, but that's just a TSB



Love the truck..... hope to get 300k out of her.

 

[DCaswell]

210k l/p@45k inj pump@49k rear transmission seal 55k l/p@60k rear u joints 60k turbo 95k/ ball joints 100k upgrade l/p @ 110k rear u joints 170k (this time they have zircs) Warranty took care of the expensive stuff but I am thinking seriously about an FL70

 

[pipeguy]

Lost a CP3 with 35,000 km

Power steering x 2

Trani (due to power adders)

U joints (too many)

Shudder on start (just replaced the posi fixed it)

Throttle position sensor

Boost sensor

Alternator (wierd I know)

Fuse box under hood Corroded

Tail light bus (Holds the bulbs) corroded

Rotors

Pads (rear set made it to 210,000km lol)

Replaced the trani cooler (engine mounted one) due to being plugged with debris





Thats it I think ... .

 

[LSteiner]

Happy '05 owner

34,000+ miles

Recently replaced driver door seal (that's all, so far)



Went to heavier front coil because stock was a bit weak

and I added Buckstop bumpers which made it more urgent.

Also installed set of Bilsteins 'just because' ( noticed they ARE better

using the Home Depot speedbump test)



Lifetime mpg =20. 01 34,433mi/1,721gal



Motor still runs quiet (knocking on wood)

 

[AMink]

10,500+ on my 06 Mega. The handle on the driver's door started to peel the rubbery stuff. Fixed under warrenty. Weak, pathetic, sad, A/C. Fan is loud for how much air is actually moved. Seems to be a problem in lots of them. Big thread on here about it. Other than those two things, I love this truck.

 

[KWold]

06 Quad 4x4 Auto Trans



Only problems seen so far:



1) Battery CEL when plugged in (TSB for this)

2) Tow haul mode has gone south (waiting to hear from dealer on this)



Otherwise its been a great worry free ride.

 

[Larry Coursen]

2004. 5, 3500. Door seals replaced year ago with new type, 28,400 miles.

 

[mhachez]

2005 Quad Cab 2500 4x4 Warranty items:grill(chrome peeling),rear driveshaft rear u-joint,right front wheel bearing assembly. At my cost:front axle shaft u-joints,4 ball joints,4 tie rods,track bar. Left front wheel bearing was starting to make noise,so I installed Dynatrac no spin kit. Still love this truck though. Good power and mileage.

 

[mhachez]

Almost forgot,also replaced tires. 70MPH vibration gone after Dynatrack kit install.

 

[DCaswell]

OOOOps forgot to mention rear diff because of howl right off the git-go

 

[JGregory]

2003 2500,4x4,4"lift,35 70r17,slt quad cab 94,000 miles

Bright box with fogzilla ( helps some but still needs more light at night )

Replaced all u joints and front axel joint.

Replaced fan clutch under warrenty.

I have had little to know problems with this truck and plan on getting 500,000 miles out of it.

I do have a leaking steering gear box and cannot find the leak ????

If anyone has an idea please let me know

Thanks

 

[jmorse]

Have an '05 2500, 4x4, QC w/auto trans. and 36,250 miles on it . Door seals just replaced under warranty. Has an occasional long crank @ start. No other problems so far. Very satisfied with truck.



Jim