Buying CTD: '96 vs '99

[PhillySingle]

Hey guys -



I've been looking around for some time and picking the brain of a friend of mine (he's a big diesel freak!) - I finally got around to subscribing here, since my search for a truck is growing in intensity.



For the most part, my budget seems to dictate trucks in the '96-'99 range... for the *most* part.



Basically, am I correct in saying, unless I can afford a much newer truck, I should stick to a 12v - due to some pump issues / cost of pump in the 24v?



I've found 2 nice ones fairly local to me - first one advertised here:



1996 - 5spd - https://www.turbodieselregister.com...splay_db_button=on&db_id=4727&query=retrieval <- this guys seems like he's really taken care of it and is very responsive to me. Only thing is it's a standard cab.



1999 - another nice one: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...vcd_on=y&fuel=DSL&=&doors=&color=&cardist=306





I've been trying to do my research, I'd just like to get some "real world" feedback and any pointers on big things I should look out for when I go look at these trucks.



Thanks,

Jay

 

[evldsl]

Thees a real nice first gen in the classifieds for around 11. 5

 

[Forrest Nearing]

wish I could afford that '96!!!



I would assume he's tabbed the KDP, if not, make it the first thing you do!



Forrest

 

[PhillySingle]

Guys! thanks for the feedback... I don't think I want to go to a 1st gen, but I saw that one - it does seem nice.



Forrest... so you like that '96 eh!!? I almost forgot about the KDP, I'll ask him about it today, thanks. How is the price of $16,500obo - I think I can get a bit off that.



I found this one on eBay a 2002 with only 8,000 miles!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2452902924 < - Just over $18,100 hits the reserve

 

[MO'Donnell]

Just advice on buying a vehicle in general - Decide what your "Must Haves" are, then prioritize your "Nice to Haves", figure out a realistic budget and have at it with paitence being the key. My guess is the 96 was better maintained, but you mentioned the reg. cab as a drawback, so keep looking. The 99 looks nice, but 5" lifts will play he** with the front end that likes to dine on track bars and to some extent ball joints in stock form. I would stick with a truck as close to stock as possible unless (as in the case of the 96) you could be almost certain the mods were done right.

 

[PhillySingle]

Good point -



At this point, I think I'm leaning towards that '96 - even though it is a standard car - I could live with that if the truck itself is mint and he seems to have taken care of it very well and the mods aren't too extreme.



I like the '99, however, I've been told to say away from the '98. 5 & '99 24v's - and if I were to get a 24v - get the newest model I could afford. Ideally, my budget is $19k or less (less would be nice!).



While that 2002 is lifted with 38" tires - if it goes for only $18-19k and only has 8000 miles on it... that maybe hard to pass up.



Must Have:

4wd

Manual

well documented maint history

Solid body

*newer* tires, brakes, etc.



Nice to have:

A few basic mods

VERY new tires, brakes, etc.

Ext cab

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm a 12v guy... so I'm biased, but yes, I'd love to have that '96... not sure if I'd give $16. 5 for it, but it's kindof a moot point as it's WAY out of my price range... (I bought the truck in my sig for $7k!) I will say that piece of mind definately ups the price... if you're buying from a guy who loves his truck and has taken great care of it, that helps soften the blow of handing over the money... The kid I bought my truck from had a folder full of receipts for everything from the clutch and injectors to a recent set of brake pads...



as for the single cab? I would love to have more interior room, but living in a suburban metroplex, I like having the shortest wheelbase possible... and with a toolbox in the bed, I have a decent amount of locking storage.



I'd also like to have 4wd, but budget pretty much dictated what I buy... I found this truck, and had to jump on it because of the price.



I agree, make a list of must haves and want to haves, and whatever fits the bill, go for it.



my must haves were: 96-98 5sp... my want to haves was LONG, but I was looking at EVERY 96-98 5sp, and this was actually one of the cheapest ones I looked at, and it already had a slew of mods that I was wanting to do myself!!!



good luck on your search, I would push you towards the 12v trucks... cheaper/easier to make power, and the mechanical pump gets the nod for durability over the 24v pumps IMHO.



Forrest

 

[thejeepdude]

Why stay away from '99? I love my '99... in fact I bought it because it was the last year with the HX35 vs the HY35... a little more headroom before turbo mods are required. The only down side I see is drum brakes in the rear. The 53 block? Big deal, more likely to win the lotto than have that affect you. The VP44? Supposedly reliability increased in later years, but there are MANY 98. 5/99's rolling around wiht several hundred thousand miles and no problems. Mine runs great. Had it checked out at 100K... smooth as a top. The only reason my truck is for sale is because the 2004. 5 bug bit me... but if it doesn't sell I won't be that upset... I LOVE my truck! Besides, the cupholders in the pre-98. 5's SUCK! The interior in the 99-02 is the best, IMO.

 

[VicR]

I've got a 97 and 99 and I would be hard pressed to choose one over the other. The 99 is perhaps a little more refined and the 97 is a little more truck like, but both are very comparable. The differences may just be between 2 and 4wd and the trannys. Maintenance is a little easier on the 97, except the fuel filter.



The standard cab on the 97 hardly ever gives me any trouble. There is a lot of room behind the seats - much more then the 1st gens it seems. Depending on what you are going to use it for, I haven't found it to be a problem. The quad cab is nice too and I haven't had any of the rattle problems that some have had. Although the back seat is not very large in the quad's.



Now that being said, looks like I am going to end up selling both the 99 and the 97 this spring/ summer... . Planning for our first and wife wants a true 4-door, so it looks like an 05 is in my future (and an SUV of some sort is in hers). Sigh.



-Vic

 

[dpuckett]

I'd go for the 96, too. In fact, if I ever get any money saved up, I'm going to look for a 96-98 12V. I like the mechanical controls better than electronics- easier to diagnose and repair than having to plug it into a computer to see what MIGHT be the problem. I'd shy away from lifted trucks, but that is personal preferrence, and trying to distance myself from the 1/2T gasser guys that lift their Chevies around here. Plus, a lot of lifted trucks sway a little more around curves than stock height trucks.



Daniel

 

[Intelman34]

That price is really high on that 96, but it is the one i'd choose.



I paid less for my 1999 with 40k miles on it this summer than he is asking for the 96.



The regular cab is fine. There is a decent amount of room for stuff behind the seats. I didn't think I'd like it much, but I love it now.



24V is nice becuase its newer and has more power stock. , but I would definetly buy a late 12V if I did it again. It just seems to be the better engine and can be modded almost as easily. (but reading the post by "thejeepdude" changed my mind and they both are great engines)



Maybe keep looking for "the perfect truck" to pop up. Its out there. You just need to wait for it and find it now.

 

[WadePatton]

Keep shopping. The Club Cab is worth it. While my 2000 is doing fine, I'd recommend 2001, 1. 5, and 02. for 24v's.



96 or 97 or the rare 98 for 12v's. That gets you the big pump. 96 has vacuum brakes. Good condition 96-97 goes for 12-14k around here. One was "stolen" recently for 8k!!!, guy was asking 10k o/b/o. He certainly didn't wait for the best offer.



12v BOMBing involves more getting your fingers dirty.



Good luck.

 

[SMorneau]

The only thing I wished I had order on my truck was the extra cab. I really miss it when the old pooch has to ride in the back. I recently installed an extra deep crossbed box and it stores more than enough stuff. There is a lot of room for stuff behind the seat and you can fit an excellent sound system in the standard cabs if you choose.



The standard cab is a little easier to maneuver and is a little lighter than the extra cabs. If you ever want to take part in the truck pulls this will help you into a lighter class. The lighter truck weight also helps when I put my slide-in camper in the back.



As you can see by my signature I have a 96 reg cab and I love it. Yes it is more truck like than the new models and that is a bad thing



To have the ball joints, brake rotors/hubs, axle joints, and axle seals done was recently quoted to me at about $1,700. A rebuilt 5 speed with all of the fixes can be had for about $2,100 intalled, a six speed can be added for about twice that.



If the 96 is in excellent condition it is probably worth 16K. But is still sounds a little high. As far as the mileage, I have almost 270k on mine and it runs and drive great.





The standard cabs should have the snap ring replaced with a transfer case saver.



An OFE clutch is a good clutch if you like to pull or drive aggressively.



The KDP should be dealt with before you right a check and the exhaust manifold should be upgraded to the 3-piece ATS.



I am very ignorant of the 24 valves and I would stick with a 12 because I am already up to speed on them. That's just my opinion.

 

[PhillySingle]

Wow, thanks for the responses guys!! It seems that the majority of you all like the '96 that's for sale here in PA. I agree that his asking price of $16,500 is high - he's trying to justify it due to all of his recent maintenance (ball joints, brakes, etc... ) - however, is 'maintenance' just part of owning the truck?!?!



If he's willing to come down to $14 or $15k - I may be alot more interested in it - I think that would be a much more fair price... then again, maybe i'm just cheap If not, I'll keep on searching...

 

[VicR]

In rereading these posts, I think if I had it to do all over again and was looking for a used truck, I would look at things in the following order:



1. Condition and maintenance history

2. Miles

3. Year



A 94 with 150k babied miles might have more life/ less problems then a 99 with 75k and an uncaring previous owner. Its hard to put a dollar amount on it, but I would look for a truck that had been loved, even if it were a little more expensive.



I learned the hard way on a 1979 Fiat X/19 a number of years back - if the car doesn't feel right, pass it up. It won't get better.



Good luck on your hunt. I looked for about 6 months before I bought my 97 used, and I passed up lots of 'OK' trucks that would have probably been fine, but I didn't settle for anything and neither should you. The right truck is out there and if your not in a hurry you'll find it. Happy Hunting!



-Vic

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yes, maintanence is part of owning a truck, but what's to say that another truck that you buy won't need that maintanence right after you buy it? I realize you can't expect to be reimbursed when you sell the vehicle, but as a buyer, stuff like a new front end definately increases the value in my eyes... it falls into that "piece of mind" category.



I still think the price is high.



Forrest

 

[WadePatton]

Club Cab was not an option in 1994.

 

[stacerbob]

Several on here recommend the early 1998 for the newer style dash, 12V and first quad cab.

 

[jmtandem]

what truck to buy

PhillySingle,



Get a 24 valve, you will love the extra power. I can't believe the difference between a 12 valve and the 24, both stock. i DROVE A

 

[jmtandem]

what truck to buy

PhillySingle,



Get a 24 valve, you will love the extra power. I can't believe the difference between a 12 valve and the 24, both stock. i DROVE A