2003 Freightliner Columbia

Good engine, durable, no emission crap. May easily be reflashed to higher HP rating with Reason 5 password.

People concider Cat parts expencive. Yeah, some of them is twice more expencive comparing with detroit diesel, but engine is more reliable.

13 st tranny.... it is transmission with splitter but splitter works in hight range only

 

Brother inlaw had one 2000 model same engine and trans. He kept up with regular maintenance and got 1.8 million miles out of it before an overhaul.

 

It's a shaker and that's what they do. Will get the job done. Plastic will fall off from time to time. Hopefully not when you have your hands full and in your lap. Good engine/trans combo. Most have Detroits and 10's. Do your maintenance and check for water leaks before buying. Bad about water into bunk windows, windshield gaskets, and every where else. Make sure all door and window handles operate. Real pain to change on FL. Get model # off CAT. If 6nz great. Could be mbn which is bridge motor but is still ok if work is done on it by MR HANEY on this forum. Good luck.

 

Lets remind that Columbia is not an expencive trruck like Volvo ore KW, yeah, it is ### shaker, noisy, but all parts are cheapper comparing with other US and EU trucks, the only part more expenceve then on KW is headlamp, becouse Columbia shares headlamps with Mercedes ML of previous generation.

 

I bought 2 Columbias last spring that were Irving oil tanker haulers. '04 and an '05, both daycabs with about a million miles a piece on them. Detroits with 18 speeds. The trucks are in great shape and were very well maintained.
The interior components are a bit cheapish, made up of mostly snap together plastic pieces that are cheap and easy to replace, but a bit more prone to breakage than a higher quility interior.
Yes, definately look closely for proper interior door handle, window and lock operation. I have had the driver side '04 apart twice already(door handle). Next time it gets a complete, new interior panel, which I can get for around 300 bucks. Not a bad price and my dealer stocks them.........hmmmmm........common problem anyone?
On the other hand, I like the airliner suspension. I think it gives an exceptional ride for how short these trucks are. Great manueverability and the drivers love the comfort and roominess of the cabs, and I am actually VERY suprised at how tight the cabs still are after so many miles.
I think for the money they are a good truck overall. Theres a ton of 'em out there, which is a good thing, making for cheap, readily available parts.
Hope this helps.

 

I am going to look at a few today 2007 / 2008 , they have DETROITS in them , hopefully make a deal on the best 1 of the bunch.

Thing to remember they are throw away trucks , not PETERBILTS , not going to win the EWWS and AHH awards but will get the job done.

 

I had an 03 with same set-up. I did not have a single problem for the year I owned the truck. Seriously, not 1 thing broke!

Cab is roomy, and parts are cheap. If it is a MBN CAT he will want to have it tuned for longer life and better MPG/HP. Thats about it