2003 Diesel Ram

[blackdakota318]

i test drove a 2003 Ram Quad Diesel on thursday and all i can say is wow!! it had a 6 speed tranny and when you hit fourth gear the power was just amazing.
i am looking to buy one probably around april or may and i had a few questions. first the ram i drove had the 4.10 gears in it, how does it do with the 3.73 gear ratio? does it make 2nd and 3rd gear more usable for everyday driving? those two gears seemed really low if you were towing something extremely heavy. i think the engine would have more than enough power to easily run the 3.73's. secondly what is a good price to pay for a 2003 quad cab 2500 slt diesel with most of the options. the sticker on the one i drove was 38,380. is it possible to get that truck for 31000 or is that out of the question? thanks for all the help.

[rebby]

i just ordered an 03 3500 SLT (just need to wait on financing before all is final :cross-fingers: ). anyway, mine spec'd out @ $38,610 once i got all the options i wanted. the dealer was willing to sell for $34,443. i told them that i would pay no more than $32,940 and they took that deal. good rule of thumb would be to find the invoice price of the truck (kbb.com is a good place to do that). then deduct 1% of that cost. this will give you what the fleet pricing is. now take 3% of MSRP. that is what the dealer buy down is (ie: dodge will pay the dealer 3% MSRP as an incentive to sell a vehicle). then go from there... the dealer makes 3% MSRP reguardless of the final sale price so use it to your advantage and be straight w/the dealer and tell them that you realize how much they are making... also assure them that you will be back for accessories (yeah, right). they'll sell you the truck for what you wanna pay just hold your ground and don't hesitate to leave and find a different dealer.

[blackdakota318]

rebby- thanks for the info it is very helpful. i'm going to figure out the numbers and go from there. i probably won't buy till april or may (unless i get a really good deal in the mean time ). is your truck a diesel? what gear ratio did you get? did you test drive both 3.73 and 4.10 ratio's? and also do you know when the cut off date is for ordering 2003 trucks? good luck with the financing on your new truck.

[rebby]

here is what i went with...

2003 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT
5.9L HO CTD
NV5600 6-Speed Manual
Premium Cloth 40/20/40 Bench, Dk Slate
White single tone paint
3.73:1 gear ratio w/anti-spin
Fog Lamps
Keyless Entry
Protection Group (tow hooks, skid plates)
Storage - Fold Flat Floor
Trailer Tow Group

This truck MSRP'd @ $38,610 (zip of 55038)

I went w/the 3.73 due to the fact that I won't be towing a lot and won't be needing the additional towing capabilites of the 4:10:1. Besides, if I change my mind later, swapping a ring and pinion is pretty easy...

[blackdakota318]

rebby- thanks for the info. i am pretty sure that i will go with the 3.73 gears too.

[Glenn81]

From what I understand automatics are not in the H.O. When will they be or will they ever be? If they are made what brand of tranny will it be?

[blackdakota318]

From what i have heard the auto's are supposed to be out for either mid 03 or 04, and they will be a beefed up version of the auto that is behind the hemi right now. i'm trying to remember so if someone has better info please help.

[rebby]

the 48RE is now avialiable for order. i don't know how to drive an automatic so see this thread -> http://turbodieselregister.com/forum...threadid=60403 on TDR for more info.

[mopartec]

the auto trans version with the ho is avaliblefor order and should be in production now and uses a 48 re trans which is a heavy duty versioin of the 47re trans which is used in the old diesel and v10. the 47re has 4 front clutches 4 rear clutches 5 overdrive disc and 10 double sides direct discs. 5 pinion front planetaries 4 pinion rear planetaries and 5 pinion overdrive planetaries. the 48re has 5 front clutches 4 rear cluthes 6 overdrive discs 23 single sides direct discs. 6 pinion front and rear pinion planetaries that ahve steel cages and the overdrive uses a 6 planetaire the uses a powered metal cage the pump has be modifed for more fluid volume and the valve bady has been modified for torque converter lock up id drive second and manual second for beter cooling and the torque converter has been modifed for use with and exhaust brake. this info is from the master teck videio and book on new model hogh lights for 03 from chrysler. this trans is made by chrysler and not arons automotive that make the trans for the 3.7 4.7 and 5.7 . and has resemblace to those trans missions either. oh by the way the ho in auto and manual is NOT avalible in California Maine or Massachuses.

[jswar]

Hey Blackdakota,
If you're near Acme, there's a guy that lives at the top of the big hill on Rt. 31 that's had several 4wd Cummins...all red in color...at least a couple were worked over a bit, I believe. Don't know who the guy is but he might be able to give you some real world advice. Going west on 31, his house is just past the house with the Llama pens...same side of the road...right hand side when you're going west.

[davefr]

I heard the 48RE is only available on the 3500 model and the 2500 with HO CTD remains manual tranny only.

Originally posted by mopartec
the auto trans version with the ho is avaliblefor order and should be in production now and uses a 48 re trans which is a heavy duty versioin of the 47re trans which is used in the old diesel and v10. the 47re has 4 front clutches 4 rear clutches 5 overdrive disc and 10 double sides direct discs. 5 pinion front planetaries 4 pinion rear planetaries and 5 pinion overdrive planetaries. the 48re has 5 front clutches 4 rear cluthes 6 overdrive discs 23 single sides direct discs. 6 pinion front and rear pinion planetaries that ahve steel cages and the overdrive uses a 6 planetaire the uses a powered metal cage the pump has be modifed for more fluid volume and the valve bady has been modified for torque converter lock up id drive second and manual second for beter cooling and the torque converter has been modifed for use with and exhaust brake. this info is from the master teck videio and book on new model hogh lights for 03 from chrysler. this trans is made by chrysler and not arons automotive that make the trans for the 3.7 4.7 and 5.7 . and has resemblace to those trans missions either. oh by the way the ho in auto and manual is NOT avalible in California Maine or Massachuses.