Trouble spots with 3rd Gen's

[JWHays]

Vehicle purchased 7/26/05, in Faribault, MN.

Drove it back to California and to this date, no problems.

I'm amazed at the power it has. Former vehicle was a '99 CTD w/NV4500- glad I got the 48re!



... John

 

[Cattletrkr]

Vehicle purchased 7/26/05, in Faribault, MN.

Harry Brown's. What a name.

 

[Giachino]

1)

2) Headlight switch doesn't always switch off headlights. I have to be sure to check when leaving the vehicle. And if they're still on, I work the switch again and they go off.

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

 

[rjohnson916]

My 2005 is 11 months old. Year to Date:



Since adding the Edge Juice w/ Attitude, If I bury my right foot to the floor, there is a horrible squeal that usually last about 4-5 seconds, or until I back off the throttle. :-laf



Since the Silencer ring mysteriously fell off the turbo housing, there is an audible whistle while accelerating. :-laf



Other than that, 24K miles no other problems.





-Ryan

 

[RLars73]

2003 HO 6sp Leaking tailshaft at about 30Kish miles Other than that No complaints. It vibes at 70ish mph but screw it it doesent shake me out of the seat and it lets me know when I'm going fast enough on the highway.

 

[radar doctor]

Think this is a good Idea... . Doc...

 

[bstegemann]

Rattle from drive line

04 2500 4x4 started a rattle around 25k. Seem to be heard best when slowing down around 40mph. Also had frnt end bind on turns like 4wd engaged at times. Had to dealer at 32k could not find, did replace leaking trans output seal. I figured out that went away while in 4wd and that outer (left) frt u-joint was bad, had play

 

[mlewis73]

I've got 11,500 miles and have had the following problems:

- AC was never fully charged from the factory, dye added for leak detection.

- 3rd set of door seals

- Reverse light switch caused lights to blink in reverse

- Clutch issues, dealer has attempted repair 4 times, replaced hydraulic clutch cylinder twice. Had a problem where the clutch pedal wouldn't come all the way to the top when fully released. After the hydraulic cylinder replacements, I've got a problem with a popping feeling/sound when depressing the clutch. Sent a letter to DaimlerChrysler last week about the problems regarding lemon law buyback/refund, we'll see what they say. If it goes back for repair again, it will be the 5th time trying to resolve my clutch problem.



One of those problems that may or may not leave me on the side of the road, but, there is an issue and don't think I'm asking too much to have it fixed. Know what I mean? Paid a lot for this truck (like everyone else out there), I just want everything to work like it's supposed to.



Mark

Good luck with your clutch problem. I had a '98 Ford Ranger that did that. 5 dealers across 3 states couldn't fix the problem, and by then I had too many miles on it for Lemon. Worst truck I ever had, except for races between the lights.

 

[FJfonda]

At 29,000,



- 2 bad injectors - fixed

- Driveline shutter - fixed 90%

- Poor sound quality Infinity speakers - replaced - now worse

- Front door seals ripped - replaced - ripped again

- Rear rotors "warped" at 25K - not covered under warrantee

- Much noiser at idle

- 2K RPM drone

- MPG's 25-30% worse than my '99 ( not really fair as my '99 was a man'l)



With all this -- I still like the truck -- drives pretty nice and tow's well.

 

[joe308]

In addition to my earlier remarks, corrosion / flaking of "clearcoat" on cylinder head, paint flaked off plastic valve cover, 48RE does not register L1 on column display.

 

[DShehi]

Rear end clunk when shifting into OD

2003 3500 HO auto-48RE lwb srw 4x4 quad cab 28,000 miles



I will get a clunk, sounds like from rear diff, when it shifts from drive to OD. Not all the time, last trip of 300 miles it clunked 8-10 times. happens with light throttle pedal, worse with load. started about 6-8 months ago and gets worse with time. The dealer's factory rep states that this is normal with all these HD trucks. They state that the driveline is loaded when it shifts, slack in drive line with the auto causes the clunk. Anybody else in the same boat?

 

[RobertRichards]

Have an '04 82 K, only problem was the front "knuckle" joints went out, and a control arm. The truck as been great. average 17-20 mph. Towing is great. took it to Yellow Stone pulling a 32' TT (8,000 lbs) 4500 miles in 14 days. Still have original brakes and tires. about 15k left on both.

I am thinking about a 2x4 Mega with Daully's. Not sure if manual or Automatic.



2004 SLT

2500 Quad 4x4.

 

[radar doctor]

My 03 HO. 4X2, automatic, lg bed, Truck, has had a vibration inside the Cab since i drove it off the Lot in ADA OK. 3 yrs ago It has 26 K miles on it now... ... when you depress the fuel the vibration goes away... . I wonder what could cause this??? also when we had a sever cold spell last year, I noted the temp gage never did get anywhere near normal and i didn't get the heat in the Cab that i thought i wouls... . Any ideas about that???? also since we have had a change in diesel Fuel, Has anyone noted a decrease if Fuell mileage??? I seem to have dropped about 2 miles per gallon..... DOC

 

[byoslandry]

Trouble Spots With 3rd Gens

Ace

Good thinking to start this thread.

Lets see--my 04 CTD in 34,000 miles-- one complete rear end due to drone, both door seals due to doors hitting, upholstery on center console ripped, A/C climate door broke inside air box. All fixed under warranty. Truck runs good.



My 06 CTD with exhaust brake -- in 6,500 miles-- nothing so far. Truck runs good.

 

[roadking]

both axel u-joints,4 ball joints, rear u-joint 80,000 miles

 

[MFalkinham]

Radar_doc:

I have basically the same truck as you, but with no vibration in the cab. I'd be looking underneath the chassis for anything that isn't tight, especially the drivetrain bolts and exhaust clamps. Also, the power steering hose TSB can cause vibration in the steering wheel if you haven't had the weighted hose installed yet.

Regarding the cold spell & no heat, the 3rd gen trucks have such a huge cooling system that during severe cold weather you should get a cold-weather front to allow the engine to heat up properly. Just a piece of cardboard would help. Also use the block heater when it gets really cold.

Finally, I haven't noticed a drop due to ULSD coming out, but it is that time of year for the winter blend diesel to arrive, which always results in a couple of mpg drop for me.

 

[JGrosso]

2005 Ram 3500.

#1 - 70 MPH Vibration problem when new. Finally fixed by dealer by replacing rear axle assembly.

#2 - About 3,000 miles on truck when steering box failed / Hard steering. Dealer replaced steeering box, but truck seems to pull slightly to the right?

#3 - About 5,000 miles, blew up the Plastic intercooler. Dealer replaced with stock replacement plastic intercooler, and han no problems with the replacement, but at 35,000 miles I installed a Banks intercooler and high ram system anyhow.

#4 - Drivers side door seal ripped near A-piller. Not too bad, but I need to get fixed.

#5 - After playing in allot of mud/rain the horn has sounded different, but it seems to be getting better?



Other than that, it's been a really nice truck. I wish the torque converter was tighter, and the transmission shifted harder, but I'll fix that when the transmisssion needs a rebuild, probbably around 100,000 miles?

 

[MickeyMiller]

2003 Quad Cab 4X4 6 speed: 86,000 miles

o Original, unweighted P/S hose... no vibration

o Original weatherstriping... shows a little wear mark but not torn

o Front pinion seeped oil at 65,000 miles... dealer replaced

o Right front door speaker replaced at 20,000 miles, no charge

That's it... bought the truck with lifetime oil change package, so it gets fresh blood every 3,000 miles. I change the fuel filter every 10,000 miles, grease the tie rod ends and my Kodiak steps at the same time ; had 3 air filter changes, using an Afe filter now; changed diff/trans/and t-case fluids at 25K, 50K, and 75K miles.



Really a trouble free truck.

 

[skipro3]

The light under the engine hood went out recently. I can't figure out how to detach it from the hood to check it and I'm not going to go to the dealer just for that. '06 with 5000 miles on her.

 

[DShehi]

Jgrosso



On your #1 item. Was there a TSB on this? I find it hard to get the dealer to do anything unless there is a TSB and/or computer code. I remember someone stating they had their drivline repalced and their was a TSB on this. Anyone know what TSB this might be?

Please comment on item #3. Banks intercooler and High-Ram intake manifold. I have seen comments on the high-ram intake and that it helps from around 1800 rpm and up.



I talked to Banks about an exhaust system. In not so many works, it seems like my exhaust (2003 3500) is almost like their exhaust and all I really need to do is to replace stock muffler with a flow through muffler. Comments.



Don Shehi