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Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: NANKET] #2951928
08/09/21 02:04 AM
08/09/21 02:04 AM
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northwest USA
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NANKET Offline OP
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A search found this,

https://ptsreman.net/products/2003-dodge-pickup-3500-5-9l-4wd-52854003aa-ps360-5675

So it is the 48RE trans which is a good thing.

Does the torque converter have a drain plug in it?

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: NANKET] #2951933
08/09/21 05:20 AM
08/09/21 05:20 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
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Michigan
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A727Tflite Offline
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Originally Posted by NANKET
A search found this,

https://ptsreman.net/products/2003-dodge-pickup-3500-5-9l-4wd-52854003aa-ps360-5675

So it is the 48RE trans which is a good thing.

Does the torque converter have a drain plug in it?


No drain plug in production.

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: A727Tflite] #2951968
08/09/21 09:26 AM
08/09/21 09:26 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,485
PA
moparacer Offline
top fuel
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PA
I have a 2003 with 48Re and have towed 11K with it for 11 years now. The injectors are weak on the Cummins engine that year. I had to replace mine at 100K miles. Water pump started leaking around the same time. Other than that the engine has been fine. I put the servos and a goerend valve body in the trans and as long as I am easy on it I can run it with a 75hp tune without slipping. The torque converter is the weak link imo. Plan on replacing it here soon.


67 Barracuda street/bracket car 11.27-119
68 Dart 502 BB 8.70s-152
414 cid SB Dragster 7.65-174
Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: moparacer] #2951989
08/09/21 10:32 AM
08/09/21 10:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
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Jefferson State
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srt Offline
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Jefferson State
wave '03.5 w/48re here with 230k. Keep up on the fluid changes (inc diffs), replace lift pump, keep band, ... etc. Regular check and fix Stuff. Might mention the ac blend door. Sometimes the plastic breaks and diverter will blow hot air. Either need to remove the dash, or now there is a fix. I peruse turbodieselregister.com on occasion good site.
Regarding the 48re operation.
It has a lock-up torque convertor. Lock it out when towing on anything but downhill or flat with tailwind. Always strive for under 2,700 rpm for longevity and economy, when you hit a hill towing, drop her back to 45 and into 2nd and stick in the truck lane. Hi RPM and heavy loads is the killer.
Do get the deep trans pan and good temp gauge on it. I mounted ours down by the transfer case shift Used a spray paint can for a cup and just jammed it there, friction holds it and it's eary to train the brain to look at the trans to niote the temp.

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: srt] #2951992
08/09/21 10:45 AM
08/09/21 10:45 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 847
Avondale AZ
Prodart440 Offline
super stock
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Posts: 847
Avondale AZ
I have an 05 with the 48RE. Original transmission went 250,000 miles, and wasn't bad when I had it rebuilt (put a triple disc converter and a billet input shaft in). I have been pulling a 24ft box trailer from Seattle to Phoenix and have no issues (and never had) towing in overdrive. I now have 282,000+ and am still on the original injectors. I have the oil sampled at most oil changes and have never had any issues. The A/C is another story, still working on it.


Aaron

68 Roadrunner 383/AT
69 Dart GT Conv. 383/AT
05 Dodge Ram 4x4 Cummins
06 GoManGo R/T Daytona #757
68 Coronet 440
Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: Prodart440] #2952001
08/09/21 11:03 AM
08/09/21 11:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,919
Richmond, Indiana
19swinger70 Offline
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I have an '04 with 311,000 miles on it. I bought it in a similar position that you are wanting to use it for. Low miles per year, use it as a truck when needed, but not a daily. The trans was rebuilt around 280,000 or so, and the injectors were replaced then as well.
Other than that work, there have been occasional electrical gremlins that have never left me stranded, but are annoying. My truck is a 1 ton dually 4x4 with a dump bed on it. If I take it out of OD when towing, i can only go about 60 mph before the rpm's are singing- so once im up to speed, i switch back into OD to maintain 70 mph. I dont see a problem with that, and it has not been a problem.

I think this generation of truck is an acceptable vehicle for what you are planning for it. It is also relatively easy to work on and get parts for.

Last edited by 19swinger70; 08/09/21 11:30 AM.

1970 340 swinger. sublime
1967 barracuda fastback BB
55 Plymouth Project
Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: J_BODY] #2952632
08/10/21 08:50 PM
08/10/21 08:50 PM
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northwest USA
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Originally Posted by J_BODY
Throw the last 8 of the vin up I could tell a ton smile

Last 6 of VIN is 850585 what can you tell me about it?

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: NANKET] #2952648
08/10/21 09:11 PM
08/10/21 09:11 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,545
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Offline
Still wishing...
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Downtown Roebuck Ont
Something like this kit to mount a CAT fuel filter will help tremendously with injector life. Cat filters down to 2 microns.

https://www.dieselfuelfilterkits.com/03_12_cummins_fuel_filter_kit.html

Kevin

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: NANKET] #2952656
08/10/21 09:30 PM
08/10/21 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by NANKET
Originally Posted by J_BODY
Throw the last 8 of the vin up I could tell a ton smile

Last 6 of VIN is 850585 what can you tell me about it?


Fumble fingered 6 instead of 8….. corrected too late. Basically I could pull up the build data.

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: Twostick] #2952699
08/11/21 01:56 AM
08/11/21 01:56 AM
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northwest USA
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[s][/s]
Originally Posted by Twostick
Something like this kit to mount a CAT fuel filter will help tremendously with injector life. Cat filters down to 2 microns.

https://www.dieselfuelfilterkits.com/03_12_cummins_fuel_filter_kit.html

Kevin


It has an electric lift pump and two filters mounted under the fuel filler area. I haven’t been under there to see the name or numbers on it yet. Pump runs with key on engine off, it is fairly quiet.
I saw a different for sale truck with that CAT dual filter set on it.

Last 8 digits of VIN are 3G850585.

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: NANKET] #2952756
08/11/21 10:24 AM
08/11/21 10:24 AM
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Mesa, Arizona
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07 here. 326k, trans serviced religiously. I have no threads showing after the last band adjustment. Just finished hauling my 52 Dodge Down from WA state. Had a injector service done before my trip. The thing ran like a new truck. I got an average 16mpg going up and 15 mpg coming back. That has never happened.usualaverage was 13 mpg. With the miles on those injectors I really keep an eye on the EGTs.


“So if it’s on the internet it must be true”

Abe Lincoln
Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: dart4forte] #2952774
08/11/21 11:35 AM
08/11/21 11:35 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
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Las Vegas, NV
Tom_440 Offline
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As said above, the difference in AC temp is a blend door issue. The dealer fix is to remove the dash and replace parts - and $$$. Good issue to raise when trying to negotiate a good deal. If interested, there is a cheaper fix you can read about here: https://heatertreater.net/dodge-ram-02-08

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: NANKET] #2952976
08/11/21 08:49 PM
08/11/21 08:49 PM
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3.73 gear, 48RE (yeah we figured that out already), trailer tow, 34gal tank, dual zone temp (failure prone, done a lot of door kits. Door kits come with revised part to take load off door stop), steering wheel radio controls (don’t laugh… I had a friend that drove his like a year before I brought that up laugh2 , HD snow plow prep group, HD eng cooling,

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: J_BODY] #2957058
08/24/21 08:18 PM
08/24/21 08:18 PM
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northwest USA
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Thanks for the help and info everyone!

What is different on the snow plow prep group? This truck was sold new about an hour from the Canuck border.

Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: NANKET] #2957113
08/24/21 10:50 PM
08/24/21 10:50 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
3hundred Offline
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Originally Posted by NANKET
Thanks for the help and info everyone!

What is different on the snow plow prep group? This truck was sold new about an hour from the Canuck border.


Not sure about 3rd gens, on 2nd gens the upgrade was a 5200 lb axle vs. the standard 4800 or 4850, can't remember which. IIRC, the smaller one was at or near capacity without adding anything.


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'69 300 Convertible
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Re: Tell me good/bad on a 2003 Cummins with auto trans [Re: 3hundred] #2957216
08/25/21 10:42 AM
08/25/21 10:42 AM
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West Palm Beach, Florida
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very interesting post.
i miss my 1996 3500 x cab 12 valve P pump auto dually! maybe the best, trouble free, dependable workhorse truck ive ever owned.


Common sense, the least common of all the senses.
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For fear of ridicule, society stifles creativity.
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