best year for 12 valve

[6shotz]

97 vs. 98

I have a 97 and I love it. I do like the cupholder and the steering wheel better in the 98 and the quad option is a bonus also, but I'm happy I have a 12v, I prefer things to be mech as opposed to electronic. But any CTD is better than a gasser any day of the week. WE are the lucky ones! Oo.





Steve

 

[davidb]

98. 5 Rare breed but the best IMHO. Took me 5 months to find on the internet.

 

[Pthomas]

98 12v updated more than the 97

any one who owns one should know the fuel line problem was corrected along with the 5th gear nut etc.

 

[Chace TX]

Joseph D.

I figured as much, just have to make sure before I decide to get rid of the 24valve. I have found lots of 96's, but no luck on the 97 or 98's yet. I will probably only trade if I can find a prime example. So far it's too many miles or too much money. I. E. Found a single cab advertized as a 96, but the build date is 7/95, didn't look at a title or anything. Beat all to hell, and the odometer was broken at 36K miles. $10,850, I think not. Also found a 96 4x4 ex cab for $10,000, but it has 206,000 miles on it. Not worn out, but not what I am looking for. I guess i'll keep up the search.

 

[dremelts]

Originally posted by davidb

98. 5 Rare breed but the best IMHO. Took me 5 months to find on the internet.

I hear ya Davidb, that's about how long it took me too. I had a list of "non-negotiable" criteria that made the search especially difficult:

Dodge

Diesel

Ext/quad cab

manual trans

2wd



When I finally did find it (on the internet) I had to drive 360 miles to look at it - bought it on the spot and towed the car back with the CTD.

 

[davidb]

My criteria was also pretty narrow. 12 valve, quad cab, short bed, 4x4, 5 speed. As I found this was only available from 98 to 98. 5, not much of a window. I found mine in mid Kentucky, drove down from central NY friday nite and swapped my 2000 Nissan mini van Saturday morn, drove back north... . never looked back.....

 

[TPCDrafting]

I didn't realize mine was so rare as well when I found it. Actually it sat on the lot for over a month while I drooled at it's pic on the net. Went and asked why it sat so long, they told me most guys wanted the long bed. Not me, I can get around town AND pull anything I hook it up to. I really like the quad cab for hauling our gear/shopping bags etc. The only thing about the shorty is I have to be carefull when turning sharp with a gooseneck. On the door sticker it says this truck is rated at 240 hp/440 lb torque. Been getting almost 21 mpg since I switched to Rosmella. I also like the newer seats, dash and interior. Have the 5 speed, and wish I had the 6. Either way the cup holders aren't the greatest.

 

[TPCDrafting]

forgot sig

 

[98rammer]

tpc, what's the seat fix

 

[TPCDrafting]

see issue 35, page 14. An article on how to fix a sinking or worn out seat by adding padding. It made the seat much better and my butt doesn't get tired after a few hours any more.

 

[radixr]

Joe D.

Joe,



My '96 also is CPL 2175. Does that mean that stock '96 - '98 engines are essentially the same?

 

[MikeR]

radixr,



Yes the 96-98 12v engines are rated the same:

96-98 with automatic trans= 180hp

96-98 with manual trans= 215hp



The 96 still had the vacuum boost brake system, and in 97 dodge switched over to the hydraulic boost brake system.

 

[Forrest]

radixr,



Ck out the table on this link:



http://www.dieselpage.com/tstpk.htm



It's got the stock HP/Torque #'s in the left column.



For the 215 hp boys, have fun extrapolating the auto plates into HP/Torque in the 96/97 Manual, 215hp pump. Those are shown as not recommended(NR). :-laf