Used 03 ????

[dezeldog]

I am thinking of buying a used 03 2wd 3500 DRW. It has 25k and a clear title. It is nicely equipt---auto etc etc. Anything in particular I should look for???? TIA



Jim

 

[catoiler]

You wanna trade?I would love to my 96 or 02 back insted of this one.

 

[dezeldog]

Also how can I tell which transmission does it have the 47 or 48??? It has the HO motor

 

[klenger]

HO was not available with the 47RE, so it's either a 48RE or ... the NV5600 6 speed.

 

[Eric_77]

Check the manf date 1/03 was the first of the HO/auto IIRC. Had a friend buy a truck told it was a HO and later he found out it was not when comparing to my truck. his had a build date of 9/02

 

[dezeldog]

Eric I did a title search and it said that it was an HO. Don't know the manf date. How can you find this out?????



Jim

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by dezeldog

Eric I did a title search and it said that it was an HO. Don't know the manf date. How can you find this out?????



Jim

You can look at the data plate, an it will tell you the hp of the engine along with manufacture date. ISB250 or ISB305. Mine is the ISB250 manufacture date 11/15/02. Looking toward engine compartment to right side just past the radiator shroud (right there on top). Watch out! an don't let it bite you. :-laf

 

[CumminsBu]

Look in the glove box. there is a sticker that tells you the power-train. (HO/SO, trans, axles, gear ratio, antispin/ open. )

 

[dezeldog]

Thanx for the feed back on this truck. Is the famous "death wobble" an issue with the 03s???



Jim

 

[MichaelWright]

I have an 03, love it. I had the annoying drone, but a set of BFG 315's and a leveling kit w/Bilstein 5100's from Jack-It, solved that problem. It handles as well as my little ol' Toyota Tacoma with with the Race-Runner coil overs/Bilstein suspension. Just my . 02



Mike

 

[dezeldog]

Also I'm buying this truck from Marshall Turner in Houston. Any comment from you Texans.



Jim

 

[obie1]

Don't know of a Marshall Turner in Houston area. there is a Marshall Dodge/Ford/Chevrolet in Hempstead (mostly all new vehicles) and a the used dealership in the Houston Hwy 290 Northwest area.



Marshall is pretty good and decent but like all dealerships they are out to make money so be careful, suggest taking an oil sample and getting it checked before purchase. Do the Carfax with the VIN number to see it has been in a wreck. Make sure no mods have been made. Inspect the top of the fuse box for evidence of a sticky Velcro tape, inspect the connectors and make sure there are no splice connectors left behind.



Probably would even warrant taking off the intake tube to inspect the turbo fins for discoloration and pitting.



Do the code reading bit. Turn the key three time on/off without starting and read the codes (or no codes)afterwords.



Don't know why someone would get rid of an 03 with an HO 6 speed or auto, though, other than can't afford it or they traded in for a newer one. With all the 04. 5 issues think one would stay with the 03, modifiable with the chips etc...



Good luck,

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by obie1





Don't know why someone would get rid of an 03 with an HO 6 speed or auto, though, other than can't afford it or they traded in for a newer one. With all the 04. 5 issues think one would stay with the 03, modifiable with the chips etc...



Good luck,

Some that do have the money to trade every year, or two will just for the fact of having a new vehicle an warranty all the time. Not having to replace tires, brakes,etc. Know of a acquittance (friend of a friend) that traded in his 03HO/48RE with 31K miles, for a 04. 5/6-speed for the fact he was scared of the 48RE towing. An he does not tow that often, also he had a vibration that DC never could fix to his satisfaction. He did remark to me that he kinda wished he would have stayed with the auto. ( everyone has their preference). Otherwise his truck was maintained good with regular service with intentions of keeping it a long time. The one's that trade every year for the heck of it would be the scary one's to me. Sure I changed the oil when I added those two quarts or so. :--)

 

[radar doctor]

I Like my 03

Sorry you don't like your 03 mine is quiet get about 22 at 60 mph. No noise or vibrations except it hum's a bit idleing but when i press the foot fed a little it stops. don't know whats causing that. . All in All i like it much better than the 95. . Espically the BRAKES...

 

[Parshal]

Good advice here so far. I like my '03 although I wish I would have gotten the HO/6-speed (auto not available when I bought mine in October '02).

 

[jimnance]

Originally posted by catoiler

You wanna trade?I would love to my 96 or 02 back insted of this one.

I love my '03. My only regret was not getting a DRW. I can't find anything I don't like about my '03. It's my fourth CTD and the best by far.



Mine has the six speed and runs like a scalded dog with just an EZ installed. Considering that I'm pulling 14,000 lbs + it is scary how powerful it is. If that's bad... ... ... ... ... ... .....

 

[DBoyd]

Be darn sure you do a Carfax check on it. I was lookin at a 2003 3500 with 5300 miles on it. Just like I was wantin with the reg cab, 6 spd, dually, and just 5300 miles. Come to find out after doing the Carfax and then quizzing the salesman it was a Chrysler lemon law buy back the dealership had bought at auction in Houston!! So be darn careful!! It had full warranty and all but the credit union wouldn't do the loan so I figure they had good reason.

 

[dezeldog]

Thanx for all the input. I did the carfax and it come back clean so I ended up buying it. Sure hated to part with the 98. But time to move on. I think I got a pretty good deal on it. I drove it home from Hous. and really like the way it handles. I'll keep you all posted as how things are going with the new rig.



Jim