Used Ram 3500 - what to look for

[rback33]

Make sure you get the H.O. engine with the 48RE automatic. The 47RE transmission could not handle as much torque and was only available with the S.O. engine. You can identify the engine HP by looking at the sticker on the engine.

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 available with the H.O.

Now.. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I looked at the sticker on the engine of my '03 and could not match a single number on there. Nothing close... better be more specific....Ok the not close was not true I suppose because I am guessing by the serial code it's the 5600

 

[txslowpoke]

If It was me I'd go with the 6spd manual. I run Dodge 1 tons in a hotshot business though, pulling 40' G/n loaded upto 18k.. If you are staying under 10 k loads, the auto should do OK, I WOULD put in the biggest aftermarket tranny cooler in it,with a guage and override switch for the fan( a must for me on the auto would be a pusher fan). A cool auto tranny is a long life tranny in most cases.Especially if you are pulling some weight.
If it was me stay away from gooseneck hitches already in the truck. Check out the wear and tear on the brake pedal pad, fuel pedal-my 04 at 140k has wear on both. Might help tell if miles are correct.some the hotshot drivers I know pull a fuse to stop the odemeter, plus I think it stop the speedo too( not sure if this BS, just what I have heard) Stay away from overload springs already installed. Personally I'd stay away from the B.O.M.B'ed trucks- meaning aftermarket chips, injectors etc. ITs cool to have/ hotrod one, but can get expenses especially if pulling heavy loads. A pyrometer guage would be nice to have if it has one.. Also check inside the dually flare for repairs, might have to test drive it and go somewhere to pull the inner fender well down to look.those fender run 700$ plus paint/install. A fix wontlast long on the bumpy roads....been there done that.
My 04' HO is plumb sweet, not sure but I think with the auto in 03 it was smaller rating. No biggy really though, my 97 215hp(i think) 440 torque was a 500 k truck.

 

[txslowpoke]

Oh yea forgot to add when test driving the truck, put it in a head wind and run it 70-80 mph and look/listen for wind noise around the door seals. It wont do it unless your in a direct head wind or have strong side wind. The doors can be adjusted by the dealers. The noise in mine was loud enough to impair conversation if you had a passenger. Another thing is to look for burnt paint on the rearend housing- overloading causes that. Cough-- my third member is a bit rusty compared to the axle tubes. If its already decked out with headache rack, tool boxes etc..check to make sure there is a rubber gasket between the bed and add ons- if not you got rust forming, even with a Rhino type liner I'd check.
K. I'll shutup now.
Goodluck and enjoy the Cummins.

 

[txslowpoke]

One last thing, being a new diesel owner, plan a carrying an extra fuel filter with you. Know how to change it on the side of the road. It dont happen often but when it does your a step ahead. Usually you start losing power, white puffs of smoke out the exhaust. Change the filter and you are back in business.

 

[Wesbo]

Thanks for the advice, all.

 

[mlauk]

Wesbo, if the engine is 305 HP and automatic then it has the 48RE automatic transmission which is the better transmission. If it has the 235 HP motor and automatic, it has the 47RE transmission. The NV5600 is the 6 speed manual transmission and also came with 305 HP.

 

[RedRocker]

NV4500's tend to lose 5th gear due to the nut backing off, I had it happen 4 times and finally switched to a NV5600 in my 97.

 

[DieselPower]

Or if your mechanically inclined you can install a medium duty truck Spicer or Fuller transmission. Both are very easy to find in salvage yards that deal with medium/heavy duty trucks. You'll grenade the rear before you do one of those transmissions.