2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Anyone go from 12v to CR or vice versa?

[Niro]

one of my friends just bought an 03 CR, 6 Speed leather etc. .



After driving it I was pretty impressed.

Im thinking of selling my 97 5 Speed to get one. However before I do so I wanted to hear peoples opinions that might have done it or switched back etc...



My only concern and maybe its just a few people, but there seem to be more problems with the CR motors vs the 12v then I anticipated.



With that being said I like the 4 doors and the creature comforts of the newer ones.



Now only if they could put my 12v in a Quad cab 4wd 6 speed... . that would be my dream.



anyone let me know everyones opinion because its been bothering me and I dont want to keep having second thoughts...

 

[Bob4x4]

I kept my old 12v and got a common rail back in 05. They both have their pros and cons. I will say that the common rails will take more money to keep them on the road. It would be a very hard decision if I had to give one up.



Bob

 

[jgillott]

I went from a 24-valve 2nd gen to this '07 so it's not really answering your specific question. But, as Bob just said, they both have their pros and cons. The 3rd gen definately feels completely different than the 2nd. It's overall, much more comfortable, easier to drive, and generally more friendly as a daily driver. I'd also give it an advantage when it comes to the way it drives in the snow and seems to be a little more nimble off road than my '01 was.



My 2nd gen felt more rugged, generally stiffer, and just more truck like. It definately was better on fuel. I wish I could have kept it around, but just couldn't afford both trucks.

 

[Regcabguy]

Far less driver fatigue on the 3rds. Zero wander,quieter,brakes that stop,etc. Good so far.

 

[Wiredawg]

Keep the 12V and get the CR

I have all three and there are things I like about each one. To be honest, the '03 is the most trouble free, the 02 is the baddest to the bone and is the most troublesome, and '93 is just fun hard riding truck. If you have to pick just one... well you'll just have to weigh it out the pros on the cons:

Fun factor (cool)

Ride

Power

Looks

Sound

Hauling capacity

Cost

Dependablity

Fit and Finish



Good luck and let us know.



Wiredawg

 

[wcjp]

My 3rd Gen has better brakes and steering than my 96' w/DSS. It's also rated for more weight. As previously mentioned, way less driver fatigue after towing long distance.

 

[Bob V]

I went from a 97 5 spd to a 05 6spd, no regrets!

 

[PDM]

I have both a '97 3500, and an '03 2500. The '03 is more refined, and a better all around vehicle. I would rather drive the '03 on a long trip. That said, the '97 can still do it all, and has been good to me.

 

[Davcruz]

I personally feel you'd be money ahead to take your 97 to someone like Bayer and have it turned into a 4door, plus with their converson there's more room in the back.

You could if you wanted have it turned into a 4door club cab.

Then if you wanted have a 6spd put in in place of your 5spd.

The 12v will be more reliable and generally give you better mileage.

Plus the 2nd Gens look better, but that's a personal taste thing.

JMO



I had in the past a couple of GMC 4dr Duramaxs in addition to my Dodges for business, because they are bigger int he back and when hauling a crew of 6, you don't want to make them anymore uncomfortable than possible. Lately, Ive been doing what I suggested (converting 12v's). Even buying the 12v going thru them and converting its cheaper and I have a more reliable truck than new and cheaper.

So what does a 4 door conversion cost on a 2nd Gen?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

in chronological order I've had:



91. 5 that was very mild

97 that was 450rwhp

98 that was very mild

98 that was 535rwhp

98 that's 500rwhp (still got this one)

97 that was 400rwhp

03 that had a Smarty

04 that's got a lot of mods (still got it)



that note about driver fatigue in the 3rd gens is an excellent one... they REALLY are far more refined than the 2nd gens... which were a good deal more refined than the 1st gens



you will spend more money keeping the CR on the road. They're very reliable engines, but they're picky about the fuel you feed them!!!!!!! It's not the injection pump you worry about like on the 2nd gen 24v's... it's the injectors!



keeping rail pressure sane and feeding it quality, well filtered fuel go a long way.



saw a bone stock '03 or early 04 (CRS kicking in) come into HotRodDiesel with 560+k miles... truck was stock as a rock. used as a hot shot truck. original transmission finally bit the dust (auto!)



the 12v is just dead-on mechanical reliability, and if you're used to the way a 12v fuels, the CR will seem kinda quirky to you, but the trucks are so much nicer, and the engines can deliver some really nice smoke-free performance!



but I can't tell you how often I see that '98 sitting in the yard like a faithful old dog and think how nice the '04 would be with a 12v in it

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The 03 and early 04 have the least problems of all 3rd Gens. Like mentioned fuel quality is a factor.

I've had an '03, '96 and '98 12-valves. The '98 is a nice ride, comfortable and close to my '03 when it comes to road trips without fatigue (both were 2wd trucks). When it comes to towability and power the nod goes to the '03. Unloaded it got about the same MPG as my 12-valves but towing anything of any size or weight my '03 got much better fuel economy. . . the 12V really sucks the fuel when you shift down and climb grades at higher RPM.

The advantage of the common rails is making power without the smoke, and good power is easy especially once you get rid of the stock turbo and get a real one.

Vaughn

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yeah, it's spooky how well my '04 runs with hardly any smoke at all!!!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Forrest you're one of the few I know of who's had more trucks than me. . . I've only had 5 Sometimes I think about another 3rd Gen, or dropping a CR motor in one of my old trucks.

 

[MUDDY]

1ve had 12 cummins dodges total.

89, 92, 92, 93/85, 95, 96, 97, 97, 98. 5, 02, 03, 03... . the one 92 had 600,000 miles and ran like new when i sold it. didnt need much done to it to get it to 600,000.



had 2 03 cr trucks. although they didnt give me any trouble the worry was there. i'd have worried more w/ an 04. 5 or newer and i wouldnt ever want the 07. 5+. i had the chance to get a low mileage 97 12v [40,000 hwy long trip easy miles] and jumped at it. 03 was sold. i plan on keeping that 97 till i drop dead and then i'll be burried in it. talking to several hot shotters with over a million miles, and one i know with 1,200,000 + and still driving coast to coast w/ a hotshot monster trailer my 12v should surely outlast me.



to satisfy my rear seat passengers i also picked up an 85/93 crewcab dually converted with a 1st gen 12v cummins to use as my 'luxery pasenger vehicle'. i wouldnt trade it straight across for a 3rd gen quad unless that 3rd gen had a 12valve in it.



im happier w/ my 12 valve. [k. i. s. s. ] i wouldnt be able to afford to fix the likely trouble areas on the modern stuff and they are more likely to need fixin. i sleep better at night knowing my rigs are all 12valve powered.

 

[MUDDY]

my latest treasure, the 93/85 crewcab.



it and the 97



600,000 miles on the 92 club Oo.

 

[AMink]

Went from a 97 to an 06.

97 sounded better, got better mileage, and was more of a "truck". The 06 has way more power, more comfort, steers better, rides a little better. I wish I could have kept the 97 and had my wife drive the 06, but it wasn't to be. :{

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Forrest you're one of the few I know of who's had more trucks than me. . . I've only had 5 Sometimes I think about another 3rd Gen, or dropping a CR motor in one of my old trucks.

lol, I've vowed that if the '04 starts running me on an injection system goose-chase, the truck is getting a 12v transplant! LOL