New Toy may be coming home

[preachp]

Hi All,

Not much of a diesel guy but it appears that Bumble Beast may be getting a coal burner play mate. Someone has a 2003 Ram 2500 HD Cummins 5.9 that I may be acquiring soon. The truck is not in bad shape but it does need a power steering pump, a right outer tie rod which appears to also be the steering linkage so maybe $75, maybe $45. It is a quad cab and it needs a little body work but all in all it is a running truck and just needs a a little TLC to get back to it's former glory. Will be looking for much info on this giant. It has the auto tranny but it is a strong truck.
Looking for a place to learn about this bad boy and make it the sweet truck it ought to be.

preachp

 

[14hemiexpress]

Sounds like fun if you bring it home we need pics!

 

[preachp]

Hi there hemioexpress,

You got it. I am already learning so I can this bad boy where it needs to be.

Have a great day

preachp

 

[Jerry1984]

Not saying this site won't have any help but if you google cummins forum, those cummins specific forums have many more diesel owners where most of the hd guys are gas here. Not all but it seems that most are.

 

[1500ram12]

^^^I agree. You'll get better info off of Cummins forum as far as engine and suspension mods/upgrades/repairs. Then you can bring that info to this forum for others. There are a handful of active knowledgeable diesel owners on here.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[preachp]

Hi All,

Thanks for the tip. Still don't know if this is going to happen though.

Have a great day,

preachp

 

[JRG18]

Good year, great motor. Treat it right and it'll outlast every other part on the truck.

I used to go on cumminsforum exclusively and then I found this forum. I've found that site is basically only good for everything related to FASS fuel pump systems, upgraded injectors or heavy duty programming. I have found a lot more relaxed atmosphere here with better help for the average issue. I also like the layout and look of the site better, but that's when it starts getting on the picky side.

Good luck!

 

[Paluby]

^^^favorite forum. Most user friendly haha.

 

[preachp]

Hi All,
The Coal Train will be coming home on 6-4-16. Researching all the things I will need to do to get this beastie huffing like the giant it is.

injectors need service and steering box and right steering link-tie rod need replacing. From there it is getting it back into super shape. Body is pretty much rucst free and does need a couple of things but at 180K on the clock this truck has a ton of life left in it.
Will post pics when it gets home.

Have a great day,
preachp

 

[preachp]

Hi All,
Well Coal Train made it home today. I have already did a headlight restore ( Mcguires) and ordered the Redhead steering box. I had a couple things wrong though. It isn't a the HD Cummins and the truck isn't the 2500 it is a 3500. It is a BIG BOY! It is the SLT 3500 HD and has the G Cummins (245hp). But it also has 4:10s in it. I am ordering the steering link upgrade since I need the right outer tierod end anyways. This truck has some need of some love and it will be a beast for sure. It also has factory tow package and LSD rear end. It is an eight foot bed and full Quad cab. The thing is the length of Long Island for crying out loud! It barely fit on the flat bed the tow company sent to haul it home. I LOVE the sound of that diesel when it comes alive! I will be enjoying bringing this thing back to its glory and driving it. I am keeping this bad boy. Will get some pics posted tomorrow.
Have a great day,

preachp

 

[14hemiexpress]

Looking forward to the pics! Sounds like you have big plans.

 

[Pull Ya]

Check all the front suspension and steering parts really well. There were a few problems with the front end on some of the 2003 and 2004 models. I think there may have been a couple of recall on front end parts and steering parts(ball joints and tie rods and tie rod ends etc). That diesel is a solid motor--sometimes I wished I had my 04 back.
Jay

 

[preachp]

Hi Jay,
We are going to go ahead and do the steering linkage, tierod end update. I already have a Redhead steering box on order. My uncle told me that when the injectors are right on that truck it easily exceeds 18 mpg. That to me is awesome as that truck makes no qualms about going when you push that go pedal. and the torque is so low that you have to be careful about how much you give it off the line. Since this is a safety update I am going to talk to our local dealer tomorrow and see what they will do for us. There are three other safety updates that need to be done. The truck is pretty much rust free. There is some surface rust that I am going to take care of and there are a couple of dents that need repair that will get taken care of. Overall the truck is in good condition adn will run for many hundred thousand miles more. It already has the Dynatrac Dynaloc front hubs on it so the front bearings will not be an issue. Will get some pics when the weather clears a bit.
Have a great day,

preachp

 

[Pull Ya]

One other problem I had, strange as it seems is the #4 injector line. For some reason there must be a vibration or something and they develop a crack and fuel shoots all over everything. At one time there was a nation wide back order on them they had so much trouble with them. Mine was an 04 so you may not have that problem. Worth checking anyway though. I got lots of parts from Geno's and they take really good care of you and for the filters etc., I always went to a local Cummins dealer--their prices are about 1/2 of what Dodge was--same part, different box. Truck sounds good and it sounds like your going to get lots of enjoyment out of it---Good luck
Jay