What did you do to your 3rd gen lately?

[jgillott]

jgillott

Thinking about this post & reading, got me to thinking about what I've done. Shocks, U Joints, oil and fuel filtration, water pump are the main things on my 3rd gen. The truck has over 200K on it and really has been better than expected, the things I did replace were sort of expected the OEM parts are JUNK IMO. I have left it stock & resisted the use of power boosters that lead to other problems as can be seen with some of the other posts when within the same mileage as mine they are burning oil having other motor problems, transmission problems. Which reminds me my Trans has been rebuilt not out of necessity but because of some work done for a friend and he paid for the rebuild as payment. EDIT Post Front wheel bearing were added.

Lots of the problems can be avoided IMO if the trucks are left ALONE, Cummins & Dodge have some folks that are paid a pretty penny to have figured out things. Then someone needs more power and IMO that's the down fall of the trucks. If a person needs more power & get an appropriate license and buy a BIGGER TRUCK

Back in 2000, I traded my '92 in on a new 2001 regular cab. I promptly started modifying that truck. It was a blast to run on the race track, but became completely useless as a truck. I ended up selling it to buy my current 2007.

Fast forward 15 years and all of my trucks are bone stock and they have been excellent (it's amazing how a couple of kids and a few years will change our priority). Our '04.5 has something like 340K on it now and it is still on the stock 48re. The truck itself is completely worn out, but I'd trust that drive train to travel anywhere. It has been turned in to a dedicated plow truck at this point, but it still fires up every time and gets the job done.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Back in 2000, I traded my '92 in on a new 2001 regular cab. I promptly started modifying that truck. It was a blast to run on the race track, but became completely useless as a truck. I ended up selling it to buy my current 2007.

Fast forward 15 years and all of my trucks are bone stock and they have been excellent (it's amazing how a couple of kids and a few years will change our priority). Our '04.5 has something like 340K on it now and it is still on the stock 48re. The truck itself is completely worn out, but I'd trust that drive train to travel anywhere. It has been turned in to a dedicated plow truck at this point, but it still fires up every time and gets the job done.

Yep!! Before and shortly after I bought my 04.5 I was reading and hearing about all that can be done with the tune of these motors. I was also a kid one time with a heavy foot both in Gas cars and even when I bought my Big rig I for awhile was king of the hill pulling 80K up the mountains in 11 Western States.

Being King of the hill with the Big Truck was great but the cost was THREW THE ROOF with upkeep and Fuel had risen to a $1.25 a gallon

Before buying the Dodge I had never really pulled much behind a pickup and really didn't know what to expect. Shortly after buying the Dodge we bought a TT and went Northern Calif to camp. I was REALLY impressed with the power of the Dodge and gradually figured that really why did I want more power? Then getting on TDR and reading about some of the problems that IMO were and still are related to the BLACK BOX'S and the cost to fix the damage. I came to think that what Dodge and Cummins did is plenty for me.

BIG

 

[jgillott]

Yep!! Before and shortly after I bought my 04.5 I was reading and hearing about all that can be done with the tune of these motors. I was also a kid one time with a heavy foot both in Gas cars and even when I bought my Big rig I for awhile was king of the hill pulling 80K up the mountains in 11 Western States.

Being King of the hill with the Big Truck was great but the cost was THREW THE ROOF with upkeep and Fuel had risen to a $1.25 a gallon

Before buying the Dodge I had never really pulled much behind a pickup and really didn't know what to expect. Shortly after buying the Dodge we bought a TT and went Northern Calif to camp. I was REALLY impressed with the power of the Dodge and gradually figured that really why did I want more power? Then getting on TDR and reading about some of the problems that IMO were and still are related to the BLACK BOX'S and the cost to fix the damage. I came to think that what Dodge and Cummins did is plenty for me.

BIG

Please don't get me wrong, I think about selling and buying a new one all the time. But, I keep coming back to the point that my current trucks, especially my '07, still does everything I ask of it well (it only has 93K on it). I don't tow anywhere near as heavy as some of the people on this forum. But, I am never lacking for power and am still as happy with it as the day I brought it home.

Some of my hesitation toward a new one was getting in to the new emissions systems that I just didn't want to deal with. My new van uses SCR and it really isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it is still a lot more complex than maybe I am comfortable with.

 

[jgillott]

Well, the wife is out shopping and I told her to bring me back a headlight restoration kit. I should have some time on Monday to give it a try.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Well, the wife is out shopping and I told her to bring me back a headlight restoration kit. I should have some time on Monday to give it a try.

What do you wash your truck with soap wise?

When I worked the Boss's had a mobile car detail guy come once a week and take care of the company cars. I asked about the wax he used and its application? We got to talking about a personal car of one of the boss's that he had used a product to make the headlight lens clear again. When talking to him about it I said I wonder what makes the lens do that? his opinion is that people use dish wash soap to wash their car and its not good for the lens. I don't know if its fact or fiction but I use a Maguire's soap that he suggested on ALL of our cars and trucks and our headlight lens are like factory new condition. I don't know if maybe some of the other car soaps would be suspect of doing this or not.

Just food for thought

 

[jgillott]

I've used Turtle Wax car wash for years. Never considered that the soap could be a factor.

I'm assuming that the road salt and chemicals they use around here couldn't help matters also.

 

[Shadrach]

I've sold the 03 this summer but I did do a "few" things to it while I owned it:

Body:

Replaced front bumper - body colored Sport model
New OEM front fenders
New OEM driving lights
N-Fab Light bar with Lite Force 170 driving lights
Cab length running boards
Updated roof lights
Replaced box and tailgate w/ spray in liner (from an 08)
Tailgate has torsion bar & 2010 Dodge badge
Bullet Proof rear bumper Powder coated body color
Rawhide raised roof canopy painted to match truck with windoor to access fuel tank
Window vent shades
OEM painted taillight bezels
Rear wheel well liners
Group 31 batteries x 2
Backup lights added to bumper
Mopar winter front and custom made matching bug front
Windshield, one door glass and rear slider
75 gal box mounted fuel tank with custom build storage box on top
Upgraded to factory 6 pac CD player
Repaired heater blend doors with Heater treater ones
Mopar Mud Flaps


Suspension/Chassis:

Bilstein HD shocks x 4
Dynatrac ball joints x 4
Dynatrac manual hubs
DSS steering brace
Upgraded OEM steering linkage
Replaced front brake pads and calipers
Replaced rear brake pads, calipers, rotors and complete backing plates and e-brake assembly
New Timken rear axle bearings
BFG Rugged Trail T/A & six spoke chrome Dodge rims from 2013 truck
Replaced rear springs & factory overloads (from an 09 3500)
Replaced front diff u joints
Both front ABS sensors
Repaired rear ABS sensor plug

Engine: CTD 5.9 HPCR :

COMPLETE rebuild engine using Genuine Cummins parts (std bore-new block) - I replaced every part that would "wear out"
All new fuel lines
All new sensors
Dual piston cooling nozzles
Peak Diesel stage 2 camshaft
Garrett PowerMax Stage 2 water cooled ball bearing turbo
AFE stainless steel exhaust manifold
Pac PRXB exhaust brake with switch on gear shift
Kilby belt driven on board air compressor system with 2.5 gal air tank
6.7 Dodge air cleaner assembly
Coolant filter
Upgraded OEM power steering pump
Espar diesel fired engine heater
AirDog fuel pump
New grid heater solenoids
2nd gen starter
Duralite Charge air Cooler
BD HD CAC boots

Transmission:

Converted to an "AE" G56 6 SPEED
South Bend Con OFE Clutch, Flywheel and HD hydraulics
Drive shafts length changed & rebalanced
New u joints and center bearing

Interior:

Isspro gauges –pyro, boost, water temp, fuel, oil & air pressure - 3 on dash, 3 on pillar
Trailer brake controller
FIA Westerner Seat Covers
Geno's console extension with 4 rocker switches mounted in it
Mopar floor mats


When I added something, for example the AirDog, I didn't use their rubber hose with push on fittings I used Aeorquip steel wire braided hose with thread on metal fittings. On the Espar I upgraded to Goodyear hi miler heater hose.
That ALL I can remember right now. My wife said it was a love / hate relationship - I loved the truck and she hated it :-laf

David

 

[rrowdy]

Dang Shad,
Someone got one heck of great truck with that '03 of yours.

 

[Shadrach]

I paid less for the complete and running 08 than I had into the 03. Mind you it doesn't have half the accessories on it but it only had 113k kms (70 k miles) on it when I bought it this summer. David

 

[BDaugherty]

When I first bought my 03 it had 240k and needed a fair amount of work. First on the list was new BMS fuel injectors to take care of the cool weather no-start problem. That triggered the need for a better clutch and I chose the new at the time South Bend street dual disc. It had nearly new ball joints and front wheel bearings and economy brakes, but one bearing had a click in it and one ball joint was already loose and the front axle joints were shot. I replaced the one wheel bearing and one bad ball joint, both front axle joints, and used OEM brake pads all around. The rear needed a pinion seal and wheel seals and it got new parking shoes. A little time passed and I had to do the rear driveshaft ujoints. Then fresh oil in everything...from power steering to brake fluid to transfer case...everything. Then I added the front hitch and tow hooks. Why a 4wd truck would ever leave the factory without tow hooks is beyond me. After that came 35" MT tires. I also replaced the belt and tensioner but I don't remember exactly when. Most recently the starter had to be gone through and the a/c needed topping off this summer. Still on the list is heater treater, new dash, new headlamp assemblies, rebuilt cp3, and making the windows work with other controls besides the driver.

 

[rashwor]

Lately?

Put diesel in it yesterday! :-laf:-laf

Seriously? Replaced bad fan clutch, checked AC refrigerant level, patched gear case oil seeps with RTV gasket maker. I need to reseal the cab lights, replace the front sway bar suspension links, and replace cracked windshield. Windshield has been on the list for 9 years now....

 

[S.Morris]

This summer....

Finally replaced fan clutch that has been throwing rationality code for the 7yrs I have owned it:-laf. This winter in Florida it didn't draw enough air to keep A/C condenser cool enough at idle. Still cooled fine running 21000 LB combined through I81 mountains. New OEM clutch and A/C good as new.

Replaced the middle ujoint in rear shaft for second time since I owned it. Did some angle measuring and dropped carrier brg down a little to maybe prevent this early failure again.

Will be putting new Cooper HT3's on sometime near end of year .

 

[jgillott]

#4 injector line broke on the '07. It must have been feeling neglected since I haven't had to work on it in a while.

 

[p-Bar]

Trans fluid change along with gov. pressure solenoid . Easy job . Still running same injectors 164k on the clock

 

[outlaw1sammy]

Just did a complete rebuild of the front end, Carli ball joints, Spicer U-joints, SKF wheel bearings, replaced both front calipers as those where freezing along with new rotors and pads all the way around. Also added a bedrug and cap over the rear and installed a Pioneer NEX double din radio w/GPS, then took two weeks off work and took it on a 2600 mile camping/road trip out to the east coast and she turned over 100,000 miles Performed flawlessly, put it in the garage for a couple of days once we got back and click, click, click........original batteries are finally crapping the bed. :{

 

[promisedland]

Backed in a tree!!!! grrrr!!!!!

 

[Todd1113]

Ordered a twin turbo kit over a month ago and got the exhaust manifold in within a week, a few weeks later all the piping came in and just today he told me the s475 should have shipped. So hopefully next week I'll be sporting twins.

 

[BLNRAY]

my 03 has 410,000 mi time to change the oil and drive it some more.i have a new exhaust manifold,harmonic balancer,fan hub bearings and some other minor parts waiting for me to find my round-tuit.making plans for turbo and injector replacement pretty soon as mine arre the originals.

 

[BILTIT]

Picked up a new sled deck, ordered some rims and tires, have a carli 3" pintop on the way.

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[Wayne M.]

Mine has been so good to me. Best vehicle I have- or judging from the '14 Durango- will ever own.
Recently I put new rubber, pulled all the calipers and lubed the pins, and did a creeper ride and chipped, wire brushed and painted/ undercoated a bunch. Sad things are catching up. The headlight maint thing I learned about- I think here many years ago- was to get aircraft canopy cleaner and polish. Meguiars in two #'s (can't recall), but they are finally starting to peel. Got a real smart dude at the shop that says once that happens, it's all over. It's a matter of UV and the other elements. I will prolly just get a set of quality OE type replacements.

Future work should include;
Clutch and/or shifter work (getting hard to get into 2)
Injectors (starting to haze a bit more)
A new rear bumper (I hit a low pole)
Shocks all around
A nice front end rebuild and maybe a first stage Carli or other treatment.

Eventually after I hit a personal milestone- God willing- a full cab and bed off resto.