2003 dodge 3500 cummins w/ 6 spd manual reveiws ? comments?

hertfordnc wrote:
Tell me more about how to evaluate it. The seller is a car dealer I've known for a years. Really a straight shooter but he just got it cheap at the auction and has no info. He said it drove great, even with really crappy tires.

The blow-by test, you're saying that if the engine is running right, good rings, etc, there should be no blow-by at the oil cap?

What else can I look for?

Any tips on how tell if maintenance was done? All of the damage appears to be form work related stuff, dents to the bed, something heavy got dropped on the tailgate, etc.

THanks

Check the air filter. If it is after-market and is filthy, I would run not walk away -- if the engine has been sucking dirt in for some time, it can suddenly get "dusted", which means the engine can suddenly become toast due to nothing more than seldom or never changing or cleaning the filter. If the air filter is stock, and filthy, personally I would still have serious doubts about buying it. Because if any part of that drive train is on the edge, the rig as you described it isn't worth much at all.

Clicky here and watch the video of this 2005 5.9L Dodge. This is an internet dealer about 120 miles from me. He describes how after they bought it from a dealer, the engine died -- it was dusted, due to not changing the air filter! They had to replace the engine before they could sell it.

Good luck!

Tell me more about how to evaluate it. The seller is a car dealer I've known for a years. Really a straight shooter but he just got it cheap at the auction and has no info. He said it drove great, even with really crappy tires.

The blow-by test, you're saying that if the engine is running right, good rings, etc, there should be no blow-by at the oil cap?

What else can I look for?

Any tips on how tell if maintenance was done? All of the damage appears to be form work related stuff, dents to the bed, something heavy got dropped on the tailgate, etc.

THanks

If you can see it run, remove the oil filler cap while its running. Any gasses that are escaping via that hole are from blow by, and that means a worn out engine.

It would be unusual to have a worn out 5.9L Cummins at that odometer reading, but if the rest of the truck is used and abused, chances the owner kept up on oil changes is slim. A 5.9L cummins is not cheap to repair.

The 305/555 CTD is one of the best balances between power & MPG that you'll ever find.

Sounds like the rest of the truck is "night in jail" rough though. As far as the smoker thing, buy some expensive coffee grounds and put a generous amount under the seats. Sounds goofy but it works.

If you're the type that will enjoy reconditioning it & have a little cash to spend on the necessary TLC you could be onto a steal. I'd think the drivetrain alone in working order is worth the $3500.

Check the frame for heavy rust or signs of damage.

It's a truck transmission which means it shifts like a truck. :) Not a problem if you take your time.

But it is kind of the Achilles heel since they no longer make that transmission, and if you have a problem it can cost many thousands of dollars to fix. Even finding some place to have it repaired can be a******shoot. It's a solid transmission but can develop synchronizer problems if it was abused.

hertfordnc wrote:
THanks. What do you mean about the tranny?

THe NV5600 doesn't shift slick/fast like a little 4 speed in a Mustang and takes getting used to finding the right hole when going up and down in the gears smoothly without trashing the u joints out.

I generally take off in 2nd then to 4th and then to 6th gear when not towing. The Cummins has the zero throttle launch system. Just let the clutch out and the Cummins keeps the rpms up . No need to slide the clutch when launching on any grade when pulling a trailer or carrying a load. Neat feature.

Drive one first.

THanks. What do you mean about the tranny?

I can tell you what my '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins 305/555 HO with the NV5600 3.73 axle and 245k + miles gets.

I've had the truck since new and it still gets 22-22.5 MPG when empty out on the highways. I have no idea what mpgs for a city would be as we live rural.

Towing a 16k GN stock trailer at a full load runing out to 150-175 miles gets on average 10-11 mpg.

Towing the 11200 lb 5er will average 12-12.5 mpgs. All pencil figures.

My truck is cherry inside and out. I plan on driving this truck till they take my keys.

If you have never operated a MDT size 6 speed manual tranny you need to drive it first as there not for everyone.