Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1998 12V or 24V

[AUrban]

Is there any way to identify a 1998 dodge ram as having a 12V or a 24V from looking at it from the outside? Any differences in the VIN numbers?



Thanks.

 

[MAleksandrowicz]

it will say 24valve on the door and the motor if it is one if it just says cummins turbo diesel then it is a 12v also if it was made after january 98 its a 24v

 

[SEmerson]

The fender badge is differnt.

12 =cummins turbo diesel

24 =cummins 24 valve diesel

 

[Joe G.]

If you are too far away to read the fender badge, the 24 valve red letters are a lot smaller in order to squeeze the whole thing on the badge.

 

[AUrban]

Most of the time, I'm just looking at ads in autotrader.com or some other classifieds... just wonder if there was something more telling than the badge on the door. Often, I can't read it at all in a picture. I was hoping there might be something other than me asking every ad "is that a 12v or 24v?".



Thanks.

 

[Johnstra]

I just went through this. For 1998 trucks, Look at the 8th digit in the VIN. A 'D' means it's a 12-valve. A '6' means it's a 24-valve. Also useful to me was the 7th digit. A '3' indicates that it's a crew cab (4 door), and a '2' means it's a club cab (2 door). Poke here for the VIN decode page I found.



Happy huntin'!



-john

 

[AUrban]

Awesome. Thanks!

 

[ronco]

Also,



Note the difference in the exhaust exit angle. My 12 valve had a kinda right angle towards the curb. The 24 valves seem to have less angle and are pointed a little more towards the rear corner of the truck. Also, my 12 valve has an aftermarket turbo back exhaust, so my tail pipe looks like a 24V.



HTH



Ronco

 

[DieselMinded]

IF there is a lot of smoke exiting the rear then most likly its a 12V



:>



DM

 

[C. Harlan]

Also,



Note the difference in the exhaust exit angle. My 12 valve had a kinda right angle towards the curb. The 24 valves seem to have less angle and are pointed a little more towards the rear corner of the truck. Also, my 12 valve has an aftermarket turbo back exhaust, so my tail pipe looks like a 24V.



HTH



Ronco

the 1998 24 valves had the same exhaust pipe exit angle as the 12 valves. the 99-02's had the angled one which you are describing.



all 2nd gen non sport trucks had plastic on the tailgate up to the year model 2000.



in 1998, DC did away with the the chrome mirrors, and replaced them with plastic mirrors, and also had an option for heat as well.



in 2000 and newer models, The 3/4 ton trucks were available with aluminum rims.



In 2000 and newer models, the cab lights were more aerodynamic shaped as well.



Hope these few little things help you to ID a 2nd gen more accurately.



-Chris-

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Jonhstra, I checked my VIN # on the Genos chart, and the 8th number on my truck is a "D". My truck is a 97. 8th digit on 94-97 for diesel is C. 8th digit for 98 and newer is D. What gives?

 

[Johnstra]

Beats me, Trampline. You're positive it's a 97? What does your 10th digit say? Should be a 'V' for a 97.

-john

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Tenth digit is a "V". I've never had a problem ordering parts or anthing like that, but I just thought this is weird. Mike

 

[RSchwarzli]

I am not sure how accurate my buddy is, but he thinks all 24vs came with quad cabs asin 4 doors and 12vs came only with club cabs. I don't know how accurate this is but I am sure you will all let me know.

 

[AUrban]

I've seen ads for 12V's with both Quad-Cab's and Club-Cab's. So it looks like the Quad-Cab was a beginning-of-year option but the 24V engine was not.

 

[budctdca]

I am not sure how accurate my buddy is, but he thinks all 24vs came with quad cabs asin 4 doors and 12vs came only with club cabs. I don't know how accurate this is but I am sure you will all let me know.

12 vs came only in club cab and single up until 98, when they were offered in quad cab also for half of a production year, after this, the motor was a 24v and these were also offered in club cab for a while along with the single and quad.....

 

[HeavyHauler]

the 1998 24 valves had the same exhaust pipe exit angle as the 12 valves. the 99-02's had the angled one which you are describing.



all 2nd gen non sport trucks had plastic on the tailgate up to the year model 2000.



in 1998, DC did away with the the chrome mirrors, and replaced them with plastic mirrors, and also had an option for heat as well.



in 2000 and newer models, The 3/4 ton trucks were available with aluminum rims.



In 2000 and newer models, the cab lights were more aerodynamic shaped as well.



Hope these few little things help you to ID a 2nd gen more accurately.



-Chris-

Just a few corrections to the above data:



The plastic trim on the tailgate wasn't deleted until 2001. 5 - my 2001 has it.



Also, not all cab lights after 2000 were the "aerodynamic" version. A friend has a 2001 with the "stubby" looking lights. Cab lights were phased out on 2500 models in 2001. 5.



Not trying to argue, just clarifying a few things...