Just bought an 03 CTE manual dually 4x4 quad cab (only 21K on it) As a newbie to diesels (and CTEs), what specifically should I be doing? Namely: -what should I be doing now to extend the life of the rig? -what mods are to be done to make it better? -what sort of intervals should I plan on for services? -what things will be the things to watch out for going bad? -what "comfort" things make a big difference in owning this rig? Thanks in advance, Shane
Sounds alot like my 03... Anyway, some known problems are the fan clutch not working properly and causing the A/C to not work at idle. There is a TSB for this and it involves changing out the clutch or replacing a temp sensor or something... Another TSB is for the instrument cluster, if you get erronious indicator lights such as the Lamp Out or the Check Gauges light flashing off and on then you need the reflash of the cluster. Thats about it... The injector problems didn't really show up till 04 and on all the HO's, is yours an HO or SO? I do an oil change about every 5k and use only Fleetguard Stratopore filters. I change the fuel filter ever 15k or so and again use Fleetguard. The trans should be serviced about every 30k or so, I'm getting ready to do mine for the first time. As far as mods, the first things you will want is a more free flowing exhaust and intake system. I run a Magnaflow 4" SS system with an AFE Stage II intake. Then your ready for some mild power addons. I run the TST box with gauges, but there are many out there but I highly recommend the TST only if you have self control cause you can blow up your turbo and/or clutch relatively quick if your not careful. If whatever you buy does not have gauges then you will need those before adding any power so you can monitor EGT's and boost. Check this out: http://www.towrig.com/tstreview.shtml Then later as you want to use more of the TST's power or another module or whatever, you can get a larger turbo that can handle the higher boost pressures and keep EGT's in check and a stronger clutch such as a South Bend.
Not sure. Where do you tell? Valve cover? Was 03 a bastard year or something? I am definately going to start out small: towing mirrors, maybe a nice step (nerf bar), and once I pay off some of this new found cost, I will be able to mod. Nothing crazy. An exhaust sounds good. Is there a "better" air intake out there, or are they all pretty much the same? Thanks, Shane
The AFE Pro Guard 7 filter is the only aftermarket filter approved by Cummins. Stay away from K&N, for any vehicle, they suck. Most people like the AFE and I am very happy with mine. You can get the Stage 1 setup with the proguard 7 setup for now which does not include the torque tube which will help quite a bit for now and you could always get the torque tube later. 03 had the SO and the HO models. States that have higher smog laws got the SO version while other states got the HO. California for instance had the SO and could not get an HO till 04.5 when cummins finally figured out how to get lower emissions out of the HO's. I think Washington has the SO's as well... You can look at the sticker just to the drivers side of the valve cover that lists the engien serial number and all that, there will be an HP number. If it's 235 it's an SO.
I would change the oil about every 8-10K or so depending on the grade of oil you use. I use Wix filters and have always heard great things about them. Does this truck have a 5 or 6spd manual? If it's a 5 spd than watch out for loosing fifth gear. They are known for a nut backing off the gear and falling off the threads IIRC. Not a real big deal. Other than that I really don't know a whole lot about the 2003's besides that they are good trucks.
Unless you know for sure it was just done, change the oil, oil filter, and the fuel filter. Run some PS power kleen in the next tank of fuel. Buy your fuel at someplace that sells alot of diesel so you know you're getting Fresh diesel.
Just noticed that. You have the fold out electric mirrors right? I think they are standard. They are THE best mirrors on the market. An amazingly simple idea but a great one, just fold them out when you need it, and they are longer verticly than horizontally like the GM's. You want tall mirrors when towing, not narrow ones. I haven't seen any mirror that is as a good of a design as the fold out Dodge mirrors. I am going to order a new pair and replace my tiny (read: worthless) mirrors with the fold outs.
Yeah for whatever reason this truck doesn't have the flip up tow mirrors :doah: Not like you would want them on a dually truck or anything........ I have the 5 speed manual, and I have heard about the nut thing. Any links to what is done to remedy this problem? loctite? tack weld? For the Wix filters, who retails them? Our local parts store back in the UP sold them, but I haven't seen them here in Maine. Keep the pointers coming waytogo
If you have a 5 speed you have an SO. 5th gear is pretty good in the 03's and up but has still come off. Don't lug the engine in 5th gear, that will help a ton. Some guys have tack welded theres, mainly guys doing drag racing and sled pulling though.
wix U can find the WIX filters at any NAPA they say napa on them but if u look they also say wix. and the tow mirrors are great.
Nah, it will still pull really well. IIRC, your S.O. makes about the same power as my dad's 2nd gen 2002 H.O. 6 spd does. Around 505 ft lbs right? You'll be fine with a little jeep. Heck, my truck is an S.O. auto with a "measly" 460ft lbs and I can pull my fullsize K5 on a trailer no problem at all. The most I was ever pulled down to was 51mph up a fairly steep hill.
Oh, I feel dumb. I thought the flip outs were standard on 3rd gens. Jump on Ebay, I've seen discounted genuine mopar flip outs for about $265, they are like three times that from the dealer.
My bone stock SO pulled my 14k load up the steepest of hills at about 45mph. I think a regular tag trailer with a jeep would never be a problem, you wouldn't even know it was there.
