best year for 12 valve

[Cummins Cowboy]

I think sooner rather than later I am looking at replacing the first gen. I have settled on a 12 valve truck 4x4 extended cab long bed with a 5 speed. I haven't completly decieded on 2500 or 3500 yet. Seems like finding one of the trucks is kinda hard at least without tons of miles on them. I would like an early 98 so at the end of the note I still have a little better resale having the new style dash and all. but finding the right truck in the right configuration that I want is kinda tough. So I think it is smart to look at 96 and 97 models as well. I was wondering on which year 96, 97 or 98 seems to be the best. Do these trucks have the track bar and other front end probs that the 24 valvers are always complaining about???

 

[Animal]

How about these!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1828745518&r=0&t=0



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1829346421&r=0&t=0

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

97 is good

97 has canister/insert fuel filter, frame reinforcements and hydroboost brakes like 98

97 has "old" instrument panel, regular and club but not quad cab, long bed only. Better access to fuel filter on 97 vs. 98 if rear antilock only--the stuff is under the master cylinder instead of on the inner fender like 98 has. Both years, 4wheel antilock makes it hard to get to the fuel filter.

 

[Forrest]

96 & 97, 5 speeds have the higher output 215hp pump. Lots & lots of fuel bandwidth. You also get the Dana 80. Oo.

 

[C Schomer]

I love my 97 with RWAL brakes. Fuel filter and everything else is not bad to work on.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

There is only one: 98 12 valve. These puppies have the newest interior, better seats, the best cup holder ever put into a vehicle (with the auto), and look sooooooo much nicer inside. Get one of these, and every time you get into an older one you will say: "WTF were they thinking? This sucker is ugly!"

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

Do these years of trucks have track bar and other front end probs like the newer trucks do. Or did they recently change the front end set up??? I almost like the interior in the pre 98's better. to me the gauges are easier to read and are well laid out. The one thing I do hate is the peeling steering wheel on the pre '98s is there a solution for this I don't particulary like a big fat steering wheel cover

 

[Jeff H]

I've owned a 94 & a 95. Both are small in the HP category. My next hope will be a 96 - 98.

 

[Animal]

Here it is!

Take a look.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1828810336&r=0&t=0

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

My 97 has its original front end components with way over 100K miles. The SLT leather steering wheel lasts fine if you apply mink oil occasionally, and clean it when it gets salt and dirt on it from hands. I got 17K miles from the baseline wheel, and 100K so far on the SLT leather wheel, still working fine.

97 rules! More than 100 hp stronger than any 98 12 valve

 

[dremelts]

I didn't realize just how rare my 98 12v was when I bought it (I'm new to the CTD), but I think I have the best of all possible combinations. I believe this is the only year (and only half the model year) where you could get the quad cab and the 12v engine.

 

[98rammer]

i'll ditto the 98. i couldn't find any until one night i was looking for a powerstroke and it happened to be there. personally, i much prefer the 98 steering wheel over the pre98 ones. plus the 12v gets great fuel mileage on the highway. wicked easy to bomb (yeah, i'm from Maine ). i wish i had an extended cab, but i'll live with it until i get a new truck many many years down the road.

 

[tschwab]

'98 12V all the way

 

[Garry Verheyden]

The only problem with the 98 Quad cab vs. 96-97 ext. cab is there is less room in the back seat . I'm 6'3" and it is a lot tighter fit sitting in the back of a quad cab. The seats are much thicker for strengthening, with the seatbelts in the seat on the quad cab.

This makes for less room in the back. I have both trucks and prefer the ext. cab. Also the quad cab has too much body flex. Try parking on an uneven area and look at the top and bottom of the quad panel against the door (they will never line up when parked on uneven ground). This doesn't happen with the ext. cab.

Garry.

 

[rrl989]

I have the 98 12V, only common problem I have with others is the POS tank fuel sender. Actually has held up well compared to other trucks I have owned. But, DC has still managed to **** me off beyond all others.



Ron

 

[Chace TX]

Joseph D.

The 97 has 100hp more than the 98 12 valve? Why is this? Also, I am thinking of trading off my 2001 for 12 valve 4x4, I have found several 96's but no 97's yet, what is the major differences between 96-97?

 

[98rammer]

the 97's don't make 100 more horsepower than the 98's...

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Got one and mine makes 100 hp more than stock

 

[SlyBones]

97 all the way

cuz I got one... .



Sometimes I wish it was a quad cab, but at the time I was shopping they were too much extra $$, just for that. Didnt want a quad cab that bad. Dont have people back there often enough to have spent the extra $$. I dont mind the older style dash. 97's came with leather over previous years.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Chace, I thought you would realize I'm pulling your leg. Both 97 and 98- 5 speed 12 valves use CPL2175 at 215 hp. Now MY 97 does make 100 more than any 98 12 valve that I know about, but I have been "massaging" it a bit to get there.