Would you get a 02 or a 03

[GHibbert]

New member and first post - hope I do it OK. I'm looking for a used diesel and was looking at 02 HO 6 speed dually 4X4. found a used 03 HO 6 speed dually 4X4.



What would you guys that have had both do ? Are the 03's the way to go ? I live in southern CA so no new HO.



I have learned so much reading on here and think this is the best place for excellent advice.

 

[Glen]

The O3 definitely. If you have more time and money take a look at the new 2004 with the latest HO engine.

Glen

 

[DGibbs]

I had an 2002 SO w/Auto for three months and traded for a 2003 HO w/6spd. The 2003 handles much better, is quiter (although I miss the sound of the 2002), and has much more room in the back seat for my 11 month old twin boys.



I'm not sure what price you're looking at, but when I looked buying new was cheaper than buying used. With the current rebates and the availability of the employee green sheet, you can't go wrong. Ask your dealer about the green sheet price. If you can't get it, don't pay $. 01 over invoice.

 

[DPelletier]

Both are great trucks. For me the decision would be based on affordability and usage. I have a 13yo boy and 10 yr old girl, so the 3rd gens vast improvement in the rear seat area was important.

I love my '03, but had my '01 been a 6 spd dually I would probably have kept it for strictly financial reasons.

You will enjoy either one.

Keep an eye on the lift pump if you get the '02.

Welcome aboard

Dave

 

[Fireman]

The '03 is the way to go, great truck! Like Dave, if my '01 had been a dually with 6 spd I wouldn't have gotten an '03, now I'm glad it was a 2500/auto.
Fireman

 

[jjdiesel]

The fuel injection system on the 03's and up (HPCR) is proving to be much more reliable than the VP44, (98. 5-'02). Not to mention all the other improvements. I say forget the 2nd gens and go for a 3rd gen.

 

[DLeno]

The 03 is definately a better truck -- I've owned both an 02 and my current truck is an early 04). When you buy used, you should check on a few things, though, that were problematic in the early 03 trucks:



paint quality. The blue ones especially. Basically if you're satisfied with the paint, then go for it.



axles. drive the 03 and/or get an experienced mechanic to tell you if the drivetrain is working correctly (no gear whine).



driveline vibration. Check at idle and at highway speeds for steering wheel vibration at or near 2000 rpm.



Check the fluid levels in the diffs -- or have your mechanic do so. The level should not be below 1/4" below the drain plug. If it is low, you should question the integrity of the axle



If possible, check for the vehicle repair history. see if any work has been done on the axles. odds are if the driveline is quiet and the lube levels are good, then you have nothing to worry about.



This is in addition to normal vehicle checks you should make on any used vehicle.

 

[Grayhackle]

My 2 cents worth. If I could have found a good used 01 or 02, with some low mileage, I would have bought it. Still considering selling my 03 and looking again. It is an ok truck but the fuel mileage is horrible. I believe it to be a high maintenance vehicle and not as tough as the older CTD's. I drove a 90 for 12 years and miss the darn thing. At least it got 20 mpg summer and 18 winter and I could work on it myself. Too many things I don't like about the 03

 

[DLeno]

I forgot one thing about buying a used 02 4x4. check out the trac bar steering. If you actually use the 4x4 section and go offroad, you'll find that the steering goes out of spec about every 2,000-5,000 miles. Yes i said two thousand. thats how many miles I had on my warranty-replaced trac bar before it too went south.



But, alas, there are after market fixes for this problem. Just be prepared, understand what you're facing, and you'll be fine. yea I miss my 02 as well. dern truck sounded like a truck and performed well for me.

 

[abranz]

02 vs 03

Well here are my thoughts. I have an 02 HO 6 speed quad cab and love it over the past two years. Put a fuel pressure gauge on it, otherwise I work it and hard, primarily off road, hauling & towing and it just plain works. Hasn't had a repair, drives great and is comfortable. Mileage varies between 17-21mpg which isn't too bad. Noise? Doesn't bother me , in fact I enjoy listening to the damn thing. The sheet metal on the 03's is even thinner than the 02's which in turn is thinner than the 1st gens. Open the hood on an 03, grab a hold of the front corners and twist. It will twist at least 3-4 inches. Push in on the doors or box panels. You'll find they are very thin-flimsey. The list pump problem is a known problem, inexpensive to fix, so I monitor it. Try pricing out 6 injectors for the 03's. My thoughts are that it will be far more expensive of a truck to maintain over the long haul. My 02 just has been great with no letdowns. Sorry so long. AB in ID

 

[RobbieH]

I have an '03, could have bought a new '02 for much less. I don't care about sheetmetal, in fact I bought mine with hail damage. Chrome don't get you home and chicks dig body damage!



I wanted the real quad cab (I have a kid), the quiet engine, and the factory power. I like the new interior.

 

[PHX ATC]

2003, hands down.



I own a 2001. 5 and wifey's 2004. The 2004 is sooooooo much more refined with the same power. You won't be disappointed.



I still love my truck despite the 04 being cooler.

 

[RDietze]

like a previous post stated... . if you want to work on your truck(work on it A LOT), say-like as a hobby, get a pre-3gen (2002 or earlier). if you want a more reliable and sound vehicle, get a 3gen. the pre-3geners are plagued with known transmission and steering problems... . do a google search on dodge truck problems -- BLECH! :--)

consider a 99. 5-03 ford 7. 3L psd if you are looking for a used truck - it's a better truck than the 02s and earliers - you'll have far less problems.

my apology, didn't mean to curse on tdr (ford)

just the facts

 

[DLeno]

some thoughts on 02 versus 03 for maintenance costs.



The 02's injection "smarts" is all wrapped up into a single expensive injection pump -- the one with the bad reputation. So out of warranty, your entire injection system brains (other than the ECM itself) is basically the one expensive part. 1 smart pump and 6 dumb injectors



In 03, the high pressure pump is relatively "dumb", and the injection smarts are shifted to the injectors. the ECM controls the injectors directly and the pump, while pressure controllable, does not have nearly the complexity that the 02 injection pump has. So for 03 you get 1 dumb pump and 6 smart injectors.



I'm not sure you could argue one or the other, in terms of cost to fix a major injection system failure.



consider too that the 02s have a wimpy lift pump, wimpy brakes, and a front end that wanders all over creation. All those are fixed, improved, or non issues in the 03. If you actually use the truck as advertized (off road) you'll be changing trac bars every other oil change, or learning to compensate. When I first drove my 04, after trading my 02, I found myself oversteering and jerking all over the road. the 02 stetering was loose as a goose. the 03 is tight and responsive. One warranty-replaced trac bar lasted 2,000 miles.