I've wanted an 03+common rail for some time now, and In the next year I'm going to be buying one. Pros, cons? It wnt be a daily driver; I'll have it for deep snow, mountains, ski country, the fields, and general work. But of course I'll be babying it. I will probably getting a 4door version. I'll end up putting 35s on. Exhaust, tuner, intake, maybe injectors. This will be my second cummins and 5th diesel.

Let's hear input, oppinions, pros and cons.

 

As with you my my 2004.5 is my second Cummins after my 2001. While all Cummins seem to have their strong and weak points I believe the 5.9 common rail is my favorite. The common rail motors seem to be more sensitive to dirty fuel mainly causing injector failures but besides that they appear to be good engines. I replaced my OEM lift pumps on both my trucks with Fass units and 3 micron filters and have had good luck with both. I'm sure you'll get many opinions so here's mine.

 

I thought you had a bad track record with Cummins

 

Good to hear about the common rails! They are beautiful trucks with great motors. I'll probably stick a Smarty on it and some injectors, 6-7" exhaust and an intake then call it a day besides some 35s. If I get an 03+ I'll be keeping it around for a LONG time. Going all out on it.

Tireman- it was a combo of a shady seller combined with a temporary piece of ignorance that caused the good old. 12v's demos

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

Jeez it seems dead over here. How r the autos in this generation cummins? Or should I just stock with a 6spd? I love 6spds, but if the autos r built stock I suppose I'd keep my options open.

 

The 2003 will be a solid truck

Better piston design and 8 holes on the nozzles for better fuel atomization, compared to the 04.5+ trucks that have 5 hole nozzles

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

They do have two injection events compared to three injection events, but make good solid power and typically get better mpgs

The stock cannister mounted lift pump has been known to cause alot of issues though

 

Ya I've gathered that I would need to install a lift pump or air dog on the new cummins. Thanks for the input tho. Do sticks make a big difference on these trucks? How much are a decent set for these common rails?

 

Filtration is the key to making these injectors last

The common rail injectors are NOTHING like the old school diesel injectors

If your injectors are flowing and working properly, you can just replace the nozzles for $500-$1000, depending on how large you want

2003-2004 use an 8 hole nozzle
2004.5-07 us a 5 holes

Make sure you get the correct nozzle because the piston bowls are different and require a certain spray angle!!!!!

 

Interesting. Thanks a lot man, I appreciate it. I want one of these common rails so damn bad. I'll beeeping it around a long time and its gonna be my new sweetheart hehe