2003-2008 Dodge Ram owners!

[250r rider 88]

looking at getting a good deal on a 03 ram 1500 4.7 2wd

pros and cons of this truck for the year and things to watch out for on them

thanks

[BakerRacing40]

pros:?









cons: EVERYTHING...


Couldn't resist...

[250r rider 88]

WOW, thank you for your super knowledgeable post

[08mxkfx]

i have a 2002 1500 4x4 with the 4.7l and it been great to be except recently. I blew the radiator a few weeks ago and now i think i blew the head gasket. It has 90,000 and probably 60,000 miles of it are all towing.

[BakerRacing40]

lol i know that there are people on here that own dodges and will know more. but from what i know/researched...

bads: common problems..
cracked dashes
grab handle breakage
engines have issues with oiling systems and rough idle/stalling.. coolant problems
a/c and heater blend/direction flaps inop
brake rotors warp prematurely
power steering leaks
some differential failures
air bag light flashes


goods: specs and facts
240hp @ 4800 rpm
300lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
13-16 mpg city
17-21 mpg highway
4 wheel abs
...
good styling and extensive aftermarket
if something goes bad its been out long enough you can find used parts

i've never owned one but my work truck (at old job) was a 2004 3500 cummins six-speed dually 4x4. great truck, loved it and it had some mods that made it really fun. only bad that we ever had was it went through tires pretty quick...

[Robin Hood]

Originally posted by BakerRacing40
lol i know that there are people on here that own dodges and will know more. but from what i know/researched...

bads: common problems..
cracked dashes
grab handle breakage
engines have issues with oiling systems and rough idle/stalling.. coolant problems
a/c and heater blend/direction flaps inop
brake rotors warp prematurely
power steering leaks
some differential failures
air bag light flashes


goods: specs and facts
240hp @ 4800 rpm
300lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
13-16 mpg city
17-21 mpg highway
4 wheel abs



I've got an 01 1500 w/ 170,000 miles on it and have just been seeing these problems:

Dash cracked
Power steering pump went
Water pump went
Rear diff problems
AC problems
Trans blew 2 times @ 100k and around 110k.

Other than that, it's pretty good truck. You put that many towing miles on any truck and they're bound to have problems. We have a '00 Ram 2500 w/ a cummins and an EDGE chip in it and it HAULS. We tow 450+ miles w/ an enclosed trailer and 4 quads on a full tank. Around 700 miles per tank fill while casually driving. You can't beat a cummins. :devil:

[wolfpack91]

I have on '06 with 18,000 miles (low miles) 4.7L, 4x4 big horn.

I had to have the "flapper" in the floor under the dash replaced that diverts the defrost and heat. This is a common problem. Warrenty covered mine but the bill would have only been $60.00.
Other than that, so far so good. I pull a 24' inclosed LOADED(2 big quads, 2 90's and 2 pit bikes plus half my garage and a 200gallon water tank in the bed)with no problems. I get 10 miles to the gallon like this and 19 just the truck. I get about 13 MPG's in town driving.

My brother has an '02 and has had quite a bit of radiator trouble. He's replaced his 2 times and is still having trouble.

The '01 an earlier models have tranny issues, so you'd want to watch that if you went that old.

[XCRacer236]

im on dodgetalk.com an there is a TON of guys over there that are really knowledgeable. id make an account over there and ask this question. they WILL give you an honest answer.

cracked dashes im pretty sure are only common on 2nd gens. (94-01)

[Giz400ex]

Every truck is different and it will have probs, some more severe than others. I've been a Dodge fan for over 10 years and my Dodge has been there when I needed it the most, maybe not the body parts =( but everything it needs to pull, push or haul. I think if your looking for a LONG term truck, that Dodge is not the way to go. UNLESS, you get lucky like Robin Hood but still 2 trannys doesnt sound that lucky, Right now I have a 2001 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 gas and this truck is a frigin beast, Being not even 10 years old yet I see signs of a junk yard soon in its future because the truck underneath is falling apart. I hope the boys at the Dodge have heard about this and have had made there changes on the newer model that came out last year. My next truck might be there Cummins but I'll have to see how my pockets look by then =(

[cdrookie]

you're looking for opions on 03-08 rams and people are giving opinions on the older style:confused: :confused:
IT"S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRUCK PEOPLE!!

i've had an 06 4x4 and currently have an 05 rumble bee. both hemi's so i can't comment on the 4.7 or 2wd...
the 06 had tie rod issues which were replaced under warranty and the rotors warped pretty easily. dealer said it(tie rods) was an issue with the late 05-06's. i only had 36,000 miles on it when it was totaled:(
the 05 has almost 80,000 on it and it seems pretty solid, i did just put a rear caliper on it.
the 03-04, and some 05's did have tranny problems. i think it was that they wouldn't circulate fluid while it was in park, or something like that.

just like any vehicle, it's a crap shoot, there's good ones and bad ones out there, no matter what you choose.

[usp4u]

I have an 05 Rumble Bee 4wd. 55k on it, best truck I've ever owned. My family ran dodge trucks since the 70's and we've had many of each generation...Right now there are 4 03-06's in my family. People are ALWAYS talking about weak tranny's, well we havend't seen it and all of these trucks get used hard...hauling,towing, occasionally off-raoding. I won't own anything else. Keep an eye on the tie rods and you're good to go.

[Giz400ex]

Originally posted by cdrookie
you're looking for opions on 03-08 rams and people are giving opinions on the older style:confused: :confused:
IT"S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRUCK PEOPLE!!

i've had an 06 4x4 and currently have an 05 rumble bee. both hemi's so i can't comment on the 4.7 or 2wd...
the 06 had tie rod issues which were replaced under warranty and the rotors warped pretty easily. dealer said it(tie rods) was an issue with the late 05-06's. i only had 36,000 miles on it when it was totaled:(
the 05 has almost 80,000 on it and it seems pretty solid, i did just put a rear caliper on it.
the 03-04, and some 05's did have tranny problems. i think it was that they wouldn't circulate fluid while it was in park, or something like that.

just like any vehicle, it's a crap shoot, there's good ones and bad ones out there, no matter what you choose. From what I've seen, there not that much different. I do know people with Dodge trucks newer than mine and they show similiar probs ectt:confused:

[Ryanwolfe911]

I have an 02 1500 quad cab 4x4 with the 4.7. I bought it used with 105,000 on it, and I don't know how the previous owner treated it, but I had to put a new PCM in it, ($600) and a leak detection pump for the evaporative emissions system(400). I was told that the trans was already replaced once, (which I beleive cause it looks new and so does the fluid).

Other than the intial $1200 or so I put into it, it's been an awsome truck, no problems whatsover. I now have 166,000 miles on it and it's running strong, although the 4.7 is a dog and won't tow much more than a jet ski. That and I only get around 12 mpg, according to my overhead display. All the Dodge techs I talk to tell me that's about average for these trucks, even though they claim to get 15 city/18 highway. My truck is in top shape and I've never even come close to those numbers.

But WTF, who cares. I bought the damn thing for $5000.

[Ryanwolfe911]

Originally posted by cdrookie
you're looking for opions on 03-08 rams and people are giving opinions on the older style:confused: :confused:
IT"S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRUCK PEOPLE!!

i've had an 06 4x4 and currently have an 05 rumble bee. both hemi's so i can't comment on the 4.7 or 2wd...
the 06 had tie rod issues which were replaced under warranty and the rotors warped pretty easily. dealer said it(tie rods) was an issue with the late 05-06's. i only had 36,000 miles on it when it was totaled:(
the 05 has almost 80,000 on it and it seems pretty solid, i did just put a rear caliper on it.
the 03-04, and some 05's did have tranny problems. i think it was that they wouldn't circulate fluid while it was in park, or something like that.

just like any vehicle, it's a crap shoot, there's good ones and bad ones out there, no matter what you choose.

Oh and FYI, the '02 1500 IS the body style you are referring to. Dodge made the switch with the half ton in 2002, then the 2500 and 3500 followed in 2003. So I DO have the truck you are referring to. Here it is
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/ryanwolfe911/houseparty2008005.jpg

[matt14c]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t268/ryanwolfe911/houseparty2008005.jpg [/B]

You must have a ford too I see the oil stain in the driveway :p

I had an 05 quad 4x4 slt w/hemi and when I sold it with 102,000 the only problems I had were a fuel filter and power steering pump. I didnt have the factory rotors on long enough to know if they warped fast at around 15,000 I put all Bosch stuff on so no issues there. In my opinion that is just way to much truck for a 4.7 unless yours in regular cab. Even a 2x4 quad is alot of weight. That 4.7 is meant for grocery getters. My ole lady has that in her grand cherokee and that barely has enough balls to get out of its own way. That is why you see terrible gas mileage on rams with that motor. Too much weight for the HP. My hemi with a KN I was getting 17.2-17.5 on the overhead display. Good Luck.

[Pipeless416]

^lol, i knew it was coming. anyway, he's right. these trucks are just too big for the 4.7. same with ford.. the 5.4 gets close the same mileage as the 4.6, while having oodles of extra power compared to it. do yourself a favor and just get the 5.7. i seriously doubt you would regret it. chevy is the same way with the 4.8 and 5.3. yes, they probably do a little better just driving around town, but once you attach anything to the hitch you'll see the difference.

[liex21]

IMO i think the 4.7 is under powered i bought a 05 ram 1500 QC 5.7 and when i bought it i test drove the 4.7 and it just doesnt comepare to the hemi for the little bit of extra money youll be paying the hemi is def. worth it.I have only had myn for a year and have had no problems with it but the previous cons that people have said are the most common ive seen if you go on dodgetalk.com you can find out alot of info.Oh ya one more con for the hemis are those rear tires burn up very quick:devil:

[Tommy Warren]

I've got an 05 reg cab shortbox with the 4.7 I just love it. in 2 years of very hard driving I've replaced 1 u-joint. thats it!

[Ryanwolfe911]

Originally posted by matt14c
You must have a ford too I see the oil stain in the driveway :p

I had an 05 quad 4x4 slt w/hemi and when I sold it with 102,000 the only problems I had were a fuel filter and power steering pump. I didnt have the factory rotors on long enough to know if they warped fast at around 15,000 I put all Bosch stuff on so no issues there. In my opinion that is just way to much truck for a 4.7 unless yours in regular cab. Even a 2x4 quad is alot of weight. That 4.7 is meant for grocery getters. My ole lady has that in her grand cherokee and that barely has enough balls to get out of its own way. That is why you see terrible gas mileage on rams with that motor. Too much weight for the HP. My hemi with a KN I was getting 17.2-17.5 on the overhead display. Good Luck.

No, actually those oil stains are from my old beater 88 Chevy 2500. It's my boat tower. Sad that I need to have another truck just to tow a trailer isn't it? I figured a $900 truck was cheaper than replacing a $2500 tranny in my Dodge. LOL

[hondaking52]

make sure it dont have the big rims, 20'' or watever, or you'll be doin bearing's alot......step dads 04 been done like 3 times.....

[Eviltanker]

Not sure if this helps.
I got an 05' 2500 4X4 3rd gen. Diesel ThunderRoad.
Not any real problems yet out side of the clutch is not happy.
The truck has a 6 speed in it. Factory clutch is only good for 500 horse.
I would stay away from the automatics, I had an auto last time and kept snapping them.
Other than that pretty reliable trucks just keep the maintenance up on them and they should be good to you.

[quad59]

I have an 06 4x4 big horn quad cab, 4.7, 40,000 miles. I have the ac flapper problem, truck will freeze you out in the winter with the heat going full bore ( leaks outside air in). Rotors are warped all to hell ( partly my fault from pulling heavy boats without trailer brakes). Other than that nice truck, rides better than the fords I have owned but I know it wont last as long as a ford. On the other hand I paid 15k for this last year with 20k miles..A similar ford was 21,000

[rodeo#11]

i have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 3.7L 2wd.

and i only have one con on the truck where its 2wd even with the best tires you will be going nowheres fast lol back end on those trucks are so light that just can get a bite. other than that i love mine and couldnt be happier. even though it is a v6 in a v8 trucks body.... stupid dodge...lol

[extremeblastr]

Originally posted by quad59
\ it wont last as long as a ford. On the other hand I paid 15k for this last year with 20k miles..A similar ford was 21,000

i'd be happy to point out where the price difference came from if you can't pick it out of the qoute