2003 ram 3500

I'd be hard pressed to spend $23,500 for any of the big three 03 trucks. That seems to be about twice retail.

Edit: Oops! Spoke too soon. Looked up the blue book on that truck. That the price they show. Still NO way would I pay that for an 03. Much newer more powerful trucks available for that price. Bet no dealer would even come close to that for trade in value. Must have some special niche on the market that I'm not in.

Price is 'fair'... I paid $24500 for mine with 62k on it 4yrs ago (90% condition, bald tires, Big Horn Package). And for my area, I got a really good deal.

If it is a decently optioned truck, get it. The 4spd auto sucks for towing (if this has one). The gears are just too far apart. I'm running an Edge Juice, and my dad has an '01 Cummins (6spd manual, 3.55 gears, Edge Ez). I easily exceed his horsepower/torque output even on my stock flywheel output, but the 2 extra gears allowing each one to be closer makes a big difference. Where he would drop to 5th, I would have to go to 3rd and rev harder... The lack of gears sucks.

Mileage is great, and the 03-04 models do not have the 3rd injection event (emissions related), so they will squeeze a tiny bit better fuel economy than the 04.5-07 years.

Common issues are injector failure (install an aftermarket 2-micron fuel filter), super sloppy 47/48RE transmission (install a TransGo SK48RE shift kit.

Go get you a Smarty Jr programmer, run it mid-level without added timing, and make a good amount of power with reasonable exhaust temperatures, and go gross 25k pounds if you want. You're going to be limited to the tire capacity. Stock 17" tires will most likely have 3195lb ratings. IIRC my rear axle is rated for 6064lbs, 9k GVWR. Your GVWR will be a little higher.

I'd talk the guy down a few thousand and get it, if it is what you want. Compare price to others listed in your area. Because of the low mileage, I expect 'your' truck to be near the top of the spectrum. I love my 05, and plan to keep it for a VERY LONG time.

2003 S.O. Federal Emissions: 250HP/460lb.ft. Available with NV4500 or 47RE
2003 S.O. Calif. Emissions: 235HP/460lb.ft. Available with NV4500 or 47RE
2003 H.O. Federal Emissions: 305HP/555lb.ft. Only available with NV5600
2003.5 The 47RE was replaced by the 48RE automatic transmission and now available with the H.O.
2004 S.O. Calif. Emissions: 235HP/460lb.ft. Available with NV4500 or 48RE
2004 H.O. Federal Emissions: 305HP/555lb.ft. Available with either NV5600 or 48RE

maxwell11 wrote:
I have a 2005 Dodge 2500 diesel quad cab, standard as the day it left the factory.

great truck, runs good, drives good, gets good mpg, but you cannot lock out OD in this model, do not know if you can lock out OD in a 2003 model.

However, I would not want to hook a 12,000 trailer behind my truck.

you get a 3.73 differential standard, for that kind of weight you need 4.10 or even a lower ratio.

my truck has only 310 hp and 625 # of torque,

I do not think the truck you are looking at has that much, as they kept increasing the hp and torque ever few years to keep up with chevy and ford.

who knows what the new dodge trucks have today, but its far more than my old truck.

I do not think you will be satisfied with that truck and trailer combination.

I pull a 6500# bumper hitch trailer, I know its back there, but the truck pulls it well and I can increase speed going up a hill, so its not overloaded.

for a trailer like the one you mentioned, you may need a 5500 series truck, to safely pull it and stop it.

good luck,

do not "under truck" or "over trailer" you will be an unhappy camper!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! Interesting...... Never one time have I felt like an unhappy camper and the truck in the picture has around 18,000 behind it. Been doing it since it was new January of 2005.

It will be a great truck but I am surprised that the price is that high. I would love to get that for my 04... no, wait, I don't want to sell my 04 because it is such a great truck.

Seems a bit high but then it has very low miles. I sold my 2004 2500 for 18,500 with 150,000 miles and could have gotten 21,000 if I wanted to wait. If it has service records and no rust then it may be a good deal. The banks won't loan that much however.

Look at the bottom of the doors, the inside rear 3/4 panel lip and the tailgate bottom lip. Open the gate and look at the inner side bottom.

Don

Maxwell11, Interesting post:h
Only towing 6,500# with a 2005 CTD, I don't have an issue pulling my daughters GN Horse trailer at that weight nor does she!

Now lets talk our 5er, a 32' Copper Canyon at 12,360# GVWR, towed at 11,000+#. This with a 2001 2500 with 3.55's and maybe the difference a NV4500 5 speed manual. I do have a small chip for about 280 HP and 560# Tq.
The 3500 it is not stated if DRW or SRW should be within all numbers with a 12,000# 5er. I only exceed the GVWR of my TV which is only 8,800#, still well within all others.
I would think that 3.73's would do fine with that load.

Price on the 2003, maybe a tad high, but pre-emissions 5.9's are getting good prices, as they have a great track record.

Mine is currently at 287,000 miles and still pulling strong. Consumes just over a qt. of oil between 10,000 mile changes.

I have a 2005 Dodge 2500 diesel quad cab, standard as the day it left the factory.

great truck, runs good, drives good, gets good mpg, but you cannot lock out OD in this model, do not know if you can lock out OD in a 2003 model.

However, I would not want to hook a 12,000 trailer behind my truck.

you get a 3.73 differential standard, for that kind of weight you need 4.10 or even a lower ratio.

my truck has only 310 hp and 625 # of torque,

I do not think the truck you are looking at has that much, as they kept increasing the hp and torque ever few years to keep up with chevy and ford.

who knows what the new dodge trucks have today, but its far more than my old truck.

I do not think you will be satisfied with that truck and trailer combination.

I pull a 6500# bumper hitch trailer, I know its back there, but the truck pulls it well and I can increase speed going up a hill, so its not overloaded.

for a trailer like the one you mentioned, you may need a 5500 series truck, to safely pull it and stop it.

good luck,

do not "under truck" or "over trailer" you will be an unhappy camper!!!!!!!!!!!

That price is crazy high, but a lot of people are getting crazy high money for the lower mileage pre emmision Cummins trucks.
I'd be tempted to get him as low as possible and buy it anyway. If that mileage is true it may as well be a new truck. I tend to keep vehicles that suit my needs and you won't find many babied like that one.
As far as towing 12k, no problem. Yes the newer trucks have more power but they are like shooting a mouse with buck shot at 12k.

For almost 24K you could find a 2008 or better! Seems like a lot to me.

My Dad has an 04 3/4 ton and my Mom has a 07 3/4, neither one of those trucks can hold a candle towing to my 08. Yeah there is some bad rumors about the emissions systems on the 07.5 and up but as long as you use it like a truck you will be good to go. It will probably haul 12K fine but you would probably be happier with the extra power in a newer truck

Chris