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2003 diesel 2500/3500 pickups

Every diesel offering in the data for 2003. Ratings are the highest offered across the trucks in each row, and transmissions are those of the whole year range shown, so they may differ for 2003 itself; check each range's notes.

FordGeneral MotorsRam / Dodge

Horsepower

  • Ford · Ford 7.3L Power Stroke V8
    275 hp
  • Ford · Ford 6.0L Power Stroke V8
    325 hp
  • General Motors · Duramax 6.6L LB7 V8
    300 hp
  • Ram / Dodge · Cummins ISB 5.9L 24-valve
    305 hp

Torque

  • Ford · Ford 7.3L Power Stroke V8
    525 lb-ft
  • Ford · Ford 6.0L Power Stroke V8
    560 lb-ft
  • General Motors · Duramax 6.6L LB7 V8
    520 lb-ft
  • Ram / Dodge · Cummins ISB 5.9L 24-valve
    555 lb-ft

Ratings are the highest offered in each row; see the table below for exact year ranges and notes.

BrandTrucksEngineRangehp / lb-ftTransmissions
FordFord Super Duty F-250, Ford Super Duty F-350Ford 7.3L Power Stroke V8 2001–2003275 / 5254-speed automatic (4R100), 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual
FordFord Super Duty F-250, Ford Super Duty F-350Ford 6.0L Power Stroke V8 2003–2004325 / 5604-speed automatic (4R100), Manual
General MotorsChevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500HD, GMC Sierra 3500Duramax 6.6L LB7 V8 2001–2004300 / 520Allison 1000 automatic, 5-speed NV4500 manual
Ram / DodgeDodge Ram 2500, Dodge Ram 3500Cummins ISB 5.9L 24-valve 2003305 / 5554-speed automatic (47RE), 6-speed manual (NV5600)

What stood out in 2003

Editorial opinion, based on the criteria listed.

Pick: Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty with the 6.0L Power Stroke (325 hp / 560 lb-ft, from mid-2003)

Runner-up: Dodge Ram 2500/3500 with the ISB Cummins (305 hp / 555 lb-ft)

The mid-year 6.0L led on both measures, 325 hp and 560 lb-ft, just ahead of the redesigned Ram's new common-rail Cummins at 305 hp and 555 lb-ft, and well ahead of GM's LB7 at 300 hp / 520 lb-ft. Trucks built before the changeover had the 7.3L (275 hp / 525 lb-ft). Editorial pick; a close call on torque.

Criteria: Peak rated torque; Rated horsepower