2003 Dodge 2500

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Collins1527
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2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Collins1527 » Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:39 am

I was looking at a 2003 Dodge 2500 5.9 with 160,000 on it. they are asking 16k. Has anyone had one of these? Any problems with the tranny?

Thanks.

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DonF
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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by DonF » Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:58 am

Automatic? I had a 2000 diesel with the 3 speed auto. Had to have it rebuilt at about 230,000 miles. Was told by the transmission shop that it did well because most of them went out about 180,000. Rebuilt was $2600
Last edited by DonF on Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Meller
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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Meller » Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:58 am

I would google it, I am sure you will here the good , bad and ugly on it.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by drcrabbs » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:05 am

Is it automatic or a 6 speed manual. If it's an automatic and never changed or rebuilt it is probably on it's last legs. The automatic transmissions (I think designated the 47RE) used by Dodge up until they switched to the 6 speed Eiison (SP?) automatic in about 2008 were always the weak link in the drive train. The 5.9 Cummins is bullet proof! The 6 speed manual was/is a great transmission.

Dean

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by RayGubernat » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:12 am

I have a 2001 dodge 2500 with a 5.9.

I used it to pull a 2 horse bumper pull horse trailer for about eight years. Currently have about 150 grand on the odo. I freely admit that I beat the snot out of this truck. I am not kind to vehicles. I have had to replace tierods and steering stuff in the front as well as both front brake units. Also, the entire brakeline, everything but the master cylinder. My truck stays out and it has lived on road salt for years up in NJ, so stuff rots. I think I actually washed the truck about three times. Maybe only twice. I also replaced the running boards because the passenger side literally fell off one day. DId I say I am hard on vehicles?

The tranny did crap out on me at about 70,000. Second gear. Rebuilt by dealership and crapped out after a year. Again second gear. Had it rebuilt by a local shop and he put in the solid band that is used in the diesel version. It clunks a bit when it drops in, but have had no issues with the tranny since. I currently use it as my second vehicle and it is doing OK.

RayG

Collins1527
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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Collins1527 » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:14 am

yes it is the auto.

Collins1527
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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Collins1527 » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:17 am

Ray, rebuilt at 70K? you must be hard or just a bad tranny .lol

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GmanHawaii
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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by GmanHawaii » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:59 am

I have same truck 170,000 needs rebuild on tranny, other than that great truck. 16K seems a bit high 12K seems more like it.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Collins1527 » Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:40 pm

Gman, I did Kbb and it says 13,500 so you are right. have you rebuilt the trans yet?

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by RayGubernat » Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:37 pm

Collins1527 wrote:Ray, rebuilt at 70K? you must be hard or just a bad tranny .lol

I meant what I said about beating the snot out of the truck. I took the truck and trailer with two horses and gear... and went from cent. NJ to Grand Junction TN, via I-81 and I-40 when the truck was relatively new. Some of those grades on 40...well let's just say I ran out of accelerator pedal before I ran out of grade on a few of them. I had no idea TN was so darn lumpy. But we got there and got back home. Yes I am hard on a vehicle. I figure a truck is supposed to be built for work and a 3/4 ton truck is supposed to be built for work that includes hauling.. They used to be.

RayG

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Collins1527 » Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:55 pm

what were you guys getting for mpg?

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by oldbeek » Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:39 pm

I have a 2001 135 hp, 3.54 gears, auto. Pulling a 5th wheel scaled total rig weight is 17,800# Average milage 12.5 mpg recorded on two trips to Alaska, over 24,000 miles. I live a ways out of town. my empty milage is 17-18. The weak link in the trans is the pressure is low. A trans go kit will raise the pressure but it shifts harder. Pulling steep grades where you can't maintain 50 mph your trans will go into 2nd and the converter does not lock up. You need a converter lock up mod if it is to be used in this fashion. Mine went 150,000 miles before I rebuilt it as a precaution. 50,000 miles was towing the 17,800 load. If you want a bullet proof converter, look up Mojave Green Torque converters in Littlerock CA. Triple disc, low rpm gorand pump and billet case.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by RayGubernat » Sun Jan 04, 2015 5:25 pm

I get about 15 or so around town empty. Less if I cowboy it, more if I am careful and pull away slowly from lights and such. When I towed, I got about 11 with 2 horses. Close to 13 with just one horse. I think the rear is a 3.73...not sure.

RayG

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by GmanHawaii » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:29 pm

Collins1527 wrote:Gman, I did Kbb and it says 13,500 so you are right. have you rebuilt the trans yet?
No I haven't still working decent enough, when I had it in last trans guy said bands are adjusted are far as they can be and eventually will need a rebuild.

I get 12-15 towing 18-20 when empty.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by deke » Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:57 pm

Do yourself a huge favor and find one that is a manual. Before i bought my duramax i passed up a 2006 5.9 HO, manual for $17,000.00 , the truck only had 50 thousand on it. I still kick myself for not buying it right then. To answer your question, Dodges are notorious for blowing trannys in their older model trucks. For towing buy a durmax, or buy a cummins manual and you will be set.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Collins1527 » Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:15 pm

The problem with that is my wife Is driving it so auto is key. I just talked with the dealer today and they said tranny has been rebuilt two years ago.

do you guys have problems with cold weather starting or do you have to keep them plugged in?

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by oldbeek » Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:43 pm

deke wrote:Do yourself a huge favor and find one that is a manual. Before i bought my duramax i passed up a 2006 5.9 HO, manual for $17,000.00 , the truck only had 50 thousand on it. I still kick myself for not buying it right then. To answer your question, Dodges are notorious for blowing trannys in their older model trucks. For towing buy a durmax, or buy a cummins manual and you will be set.
MY 2001 was completely stock and went 150,000 miles towing 50,000 miles with load of 17,800#. My older 1993 was a lot weaker. Blew the output shaft on that one but I would pull 24,000# loads over 6 mile 6% grade. (very slowly) Folks put on those tuners and produce 400hp with the older trans and that will blow them. It will also fry a manual trans that is not built to handle the torque.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by GmanHawaii » Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:14 pm

Collins1527 wrote:The problem with that is my wife Is driving it so auto is key. I just talked with the dealer today and they said tranny has been rebuilt two years ago.

do you guys have problems with cold weather starting or do you have to keep them plugged in?
I can start it no problem in cold weather but they take so long to warm up. When temperature is 30 or less I plug in the block heater, makes it easier to deal with in the morning.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by deke » Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:46 am

oldbeek wrote:
deke wrote:Do yourself a huge favor and find one that is a manual. Before i bought my duramax i passed up a 2006 5.9 HO, manual for $17,000.00 , the truck only had 50 thousand on it. I still kick myself for not buying it right then. To answer your question, Dodges are notorious for blowing trannys in their older model trucks. For towing buy a durmax, or buy a cummins manual and you will be set.
MY 2001 was completely stock and went 150,000 miles towing 50,000 miles with load of 17,800#. My older 1993 was a lot weaker. Blew the output shaft on that one but I would pull 24,000# loads over 6 mile 6% grade. (very slowly) Folks put on those tuners and produce 400hp with the older trans and that will blow them. It will also fry a manual trans that is not built to handle the torque.



The flip side of that is my buddy who has replaced the tranny in all four of his dodge trucks at under 80,000. But you are correct, the tuners definitely reduce the amount of life in a tranny.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by GmanHawaii » Tue Jan 06, 2015 6:31 pm

deke wrote:
oldbeek wrote:
deke wrote:Do yourself a huge favor and find one that is a manual. Before i bought my duramax i passed up a 2006 5.9 HO, manual for $17,000.00 , the truck only had 50 thousand on it. I still kick myself for not buying it right then. To answer your question, Dodges are notorious for blowing trannys in their older model trucks. For towing buy a durmax, or buy a cummins manual and you will be set.
MY 2001 was completely stock and went 150,000 miles towing 50,000 miles with load of 17,800#. My older 1993 was a lot weaker. Blew the output shaft on that one but I would pull 24,000# loads over 6 mile 6% grade. (very slowly) Folks put on those tuners and produce 400hp with the older trans and that will blow them. It will also fry a manual trans that is not built to handle the torque.



The flip side of that is my buddy who has replaced the tranny in all four of his dodge trucks at under 80,000. But you are correct, the tuners definitely reduce the amount of life in a tranny.

My trans guy told me if I chip the truck I should upgrade the torque converter

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by hi-tailyn » Tue Jan 06, 2015 7:57 pm

I have a 03 2500 2wd dodge with 5.9 with 6spd manual. Have 380K on truck so far. Going for 500 or more. I have replaced clutch once, injectors at 200K. Front end has been the weak part. replaced tie rods and ball joints.control arms 2 times. Pulls like new. Trick is keeping the chassis up level with the engine which will last forever (almost).

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by ewalker » Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:18 am

I bought same truck 2 years ago with 185000 for $12000. Great truck just heavy front end is hard on brakes and suspension, but will pull anything you put behind it.

Ed

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by hi-tailyn » Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:22 am

When I bought truck new in 03 I asked around and was told the 6 spd manual was the bullet proof tranny. The auto trans was the weak link behind the powerful Cummins.

Only regret was not getting 4wd. On flat ground and wet you are stuck due to the Heavy front end and no weight on rear. I would never buy another 2wd diesel again. I have been stuck way to many times.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by deke » Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:32 am

[


The flip side of that is my buddy who has replaced the tranny in all four of his dodge trucks at under 80,000. But you are correct, the tuners definitely reduce the amount of life in a tranny.[/quote]


My trans guy told me if I chip the truck I should upgrade the torque converter[/quote]


Anytime you get 100 hp over stock you should be replacing the torque converter, and then the tranny. That is the rule with the chevys, I would imagine it is the same or close with all of the big three's diesels.

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Re: 2003 Dodge 2500

Post by Collins1527 » Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:17 pm

I was looking at a 5 horse trailer with lq gross weight is 14,000. is that to much for a truck like this?

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