Hey Sam, keeping an old truck on the road makes for more efficient use of the earth's resources that went into the truck. Plus it keeps a new truck from being built in its stead. With all these trucks that you have put back to work you have done a lot for the environment. Good work my friend. That is one nice looking truck. That truck will make some lucky guy very happy.
My brother inherited our grandpas 03, single cab 4wd. We’ve all driven it growing up, and we love it. Such a damn good truck. I absolutely adore the common rail Cummins. They don’t get the love they deserve. Thanks for keeping them on the road!!
My old truck burns oil, makes funny noises and is hard to start. 33 years old but the good thing is it does not leak oil. It pulls but likes to overheat.
Great job Sam!! That is the same color/interior I had on my 01! Back when I was in high school we used to buy imitation leather steering wheel covers. Then you would lace boondoggle all the way around it. Not bad look and feel. When the leather wheel on my 12 Silverado got hard I found one of those old ones on Amazon!! $7 delivered and it works great, looks good!! LOL Anyway, congrats again on that truck, it looks awesome!! 8) --gary
@@VBELTandSONam that truck never came with a four speed automatic transmission it came with a five speed automatic transmission in that year stand correction
Great looking truck, great job on the paint and I have that same trailer brake in my 2000. I don’t know of any truck, or car for that matter, that has over 400,000 miles on it let along the transmission.
My 03 Laramie I got new states on the window sticker it had a 47, which is true because some of the earliest ones did. When I rebuilt it at 200k come to find out, it was actually a 48 once my friend and I got it gutted. It also came with 4:10’s and she hums going down the highway here in Nashville, normally is around 2,500 or so. Just turned 230k and all I do is tow 10k, it’s not a daily or ever really has been.
48RE or other tranny... depends on use and the driver. The lockup doesn't happen until 30mph (2nd or 3rd). Horrible. Even in 2wd low (yukon hubs up front), the 48RE struggled in hilly campgrounds with our 5th wheel. Did the mystery switch which helped on pavement, but terrified me if I hit it at the wrong time. 48s can be built, but I say it's still use dependent. The 48 is fine for daily drivers who occasionally pull, those pulling sleds, or racing. For someone who tows a lot, it seems to struggle. Ended up swapping to a G56 and I couldn't be happier. Like a different truck. Exhaust brake is way more efficient.
Going from my dads stock 03 to my heavily modified 03 it’s a night and day difference in towing with an auto. His is not enjoyable whatsoever but mine on the other hand is quite impressive
You can be a fan boi of some Frod or Generous Motors, but there is no way you will beat the perfection of a Cummins. I had a friend who had a first gen and it was as good as new after 1,000,000 miles daily driver and farm truck combined. I have beat the living bejesus out of my 07 fixed up 6.7 for over 250,000 miles and it runs better than when it left the factory. That fixing took care of that. 75000 miles of that is towing at 25,000 pounds all up all over the country. Total repairs, one injector, and one turbo actuator. Transmission or as it was designed, fluid heater, got replaced with an ATS Stage 2 with copilot. Made it a whole new truck.
Sam, I am buying a new excavator either a 290 or an 080. I am wondering why you went with a new 080? Please let me know as I am deciding this weekend. I do very similar type work as you so your insight would be very helpful!
I had super high hopes for a 290. But it simply did not keep up with an 080. 080 was better balanced lifted more and pulled harder. Better slew power. I’d choose the 080 any day over the 290. But I’d choose the. Mecalac over any excavator if I could only have one
@@VBELTandSON .< Not meant to be an insult but a lot Cummins/Ram seem to have to be replaced. It may be neglect or other reasons but true. Two of my co-workers have Dodge/Cummins one 08 one 13 with both bragging about how great they are but are on engine 2 or 3 and neither with more than 200k.
