i am looking at buying a 2500 2nd gen truck. i am wondering if the 24 valve was a critical upgrade in the overall engineering of the cummins diesel or is it simply a horsepower boost that is nice but not necessary. in other words, was the 12 valve significantly underpowered and therefore caused minor/major maintenance problems (i've heard that auto transmission's had hard times with heavy hauling). Conversely, did the early 24 valve engines experience any inherent problems. Basically, i am looking for advice on years to avoid at all costs, and a basic heads-up on common problems with specific years. I want a super reliable rig but my budget dicatates that i buy used (15-18K).
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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission buying used 2nd gen... 24V vs. 12V advice
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the 24v was developed for emissions reasons... the 2nd gen 12v pumps are capable of much more power than the 24v pumps, and it's cheaper/easier to extract the power.
get a 96-98 5sp truck and spend about $400 on: fuel plate, air filter, ditch the cat, performance muffler (or no muffler), and a governor spring kit... do all that and adjust the AFC, and you'll run circles around those 24v trucks and you won't have to worry about the fuel pumps crapping out on ya.
I prefer the 97-98's because they've got the hydraboost brake booster.
Forrest
get a 96-98 5sp truck and spend about $400 on: fuel plate, air filter, ditch the cat, performance muffler (or no muffler), and a governor spring kit... do all that and adjust the AFC, and you'll run circles around those 24v trucks and you won't have to worry about the fuel pumps crapping out on ya.
I prefer the 97-98's because they've got the hydraboost brake booster.
Forrest
12V definitely!
I own a 99 with the 24V and I definitely agree with the prior two posts. Look for a good 12V truck!!!! If I was a member of this forum when I was looking for a truck, I would have, with out a doubt, bought a 12V. All mechanical, none of the electronics that the 24V has. Easier to work on and, IMHO, just as rugged if not more so!
If you're lucky, you might find a 98. 5 that has the 12V with the newer style cab with the rear doors. That's the best of both worlds!!!
I own a 99 with the 24V and I definitely agree with the prior two posts. Look for a good 12V truck!!!! If I was a member of this forum when I was looking for a truck, I would have, with out a doubt, bought a 12V. All mechanical, none of the electronics that the 24V has. Easier to work on and, IMHO, just as rugged if not more so!
If you're lucky, you might find a 98. 5 that has the 12V with the newer style cab with the rear doors. That's the best of both worlds!!!
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Go 12 valve
That's my vote.
I owned a 98 12V w/auto and loved the way it had power, shifted and performed. Lost it in a DiVoRcE
5 years later, I finally scrape enough together to get a 98. 5 24V and I am sorely dissappointed in the performance. It is a dog, no it is a DAWG big time.
I am upgrading to Marco's ECM this month, and later will get a T/C from ATS or DTT when I can afford to loose a grand out of my wallet.
That's my take on it.
rmrc said:
That's my vote.
I owned a 98 12V w/auto and loved the way it had power, shifted and performed. Lost it in a DiVoRcE
5 years later, I finally scrape enough together to get a 98. 5 24V and I am sorely dissappointed in the performance. It is a dog, no it is a DAWG big time.
I am upgrading to Marco's ECM this month, and later will get a T/C from ATS or DTT when I can afford to loose a grand out of my wallet.
That's my take on it.
I have a 98. 5 24V. All my 12V friends like it, not saying that I beat them, but they dont run off and leave me. Plus, I have the new dash and everything. Some claim the 98. 5's had alot of problems. I have had virtually no problems, just one lift pump. So, I am more than happy with it!!! Go for what strikes you as being the best!!!
GRoche,
Let me be the first of the replies here to welcome you aboard! Go with the flow here. Do your best to find a '97 or early '98 12v. The only problem with the 5 speeds is an occasional tendancy to loose 5th gear. The nut spins off and the gear drops off. It can be fixed without pulling the transmission, but the best fix has you break it down and put in a different shaft and retaining nut. If you like the autos, go for it. With some work, they can handle awesome power. One lady on here is hitting mid 12 sec quarter miles with twin turbos and a built auto trans.
The 12v motors with the 215 hp pumps were about the best there is for ease of bombing and potential. They are hard to find, particularly in good condition, but they exist. The members here will help you find one if you're willing to find it anywhere.
Be advised, this site will save you tons of money, but it will also cost you tons if you're not careful!
Wheeeeeee!
Jay K.
Let me be the first of the replies here to welcome you aboard! Go with the flow here. Do your best to find a '97 or early '98 12v. The only problem with the 5 speeds is an occasional tendancy to loose 5th gear. The nut spins off and the gear drops off. It can be fixed without pulling the transmission, but the best fix has you break it down and put in a different shaft and retaining nut. If you like the autos, go for it. With some work, they can handle awesome power. One lady on here is hitting mid 12 sec quarter miles with twin turbos and a built auto trans.
The 12v motors with the 215 hp pumps were about the best there is for ease of bombing and potential. They are hard to find, particularly in good condition, but they exist. The members here will help you find one if you're willing to find it anywhere.
Be advised, this site will save you tons of money, but it will also cost you tons if you're not careful!
Wheeeeeee!
Jay K.
Remember 'New Coke'? It came after 'Coke". I would be first in line for a '12V Classic'. 
I've got both a 12v and a 24v. IMO, the only advantage the 24v offers is a better flowing head (and the later version interior). If you go with a 24v, I would suggest you replace the electronic fuel pump with the in-line mechanical pump - it's not cheap but it's worth it from my perspective, i. e. if you want a later model truck and/or a lower mileage truck. My 12v has 192k miles and starts with a bump of the starter even in 40* weather w/o using the intake heater grid or plugging in the block heater. Sure does rattle though...
98
They did not make a 98. 5 12V. There's a 98 12V, 98. 5 were the 24V
rmrc said:
They did not make a 98. 5 12V. There's a 98 12V, 98. 5 were the 24V
12 valves ROCK
Yup, LOVE my 98. You can have my 12 valve when you pry... oh whatever.
Groche, Hang around the board a little and you will pick up a lot. Great group, always willing to help.
168000 miles, same lift pump..... :-laf
Steve
98 QC 12v 4x4
Bone stock. I save all my money for booze.
Yup, LOVE my 98. You can have my 12 valve when you pry... oh whatever.
Groche, Hang around the board a little and you will pick up a lot. Great group, always willing to help.
168000 miles, same lift pump..... :-laf
Steve
98 QC 12v 4x4
Bone stock. I save all my money for booze.
BNH4221 said:
No fair I made it a hole 36. 6K when the first of 5 went BTW now I have the Fass at 60K
168 nothin'... I'm just shy of 226k 
CCutshaw said:
that's the understatement of the century!!!
GRoche,
Why didn't you ask an easy question like 5 speed vs automatic or 2wd vs 4wd!
Seriously, I have one of each so I'll chime in. I suppose a lot has to do with what you plan to do with the truck. Mine see mostly commuting duty with the occasional light slide-in or towing my 66 plymouth, so I would classify my use as light. Both trucks are stock in the HP department as well. Seat of the pants I don't notice much power difference between the two - both are more then adequate for my use. The 4x4 auto gets almost the exact same mpg as the 2wd stick, which leads me to believe that the 12 valves are a little better in the mileage department. I haven't had any serious mechanical issues with either, so I can't comment on reliability (both good!)
The 12 valve is louder, smokes more and is generally more of a truck. It feels more solid - and thats with 1. 5 times the mileage then the 24 (93k vs 63k). Hard to compare, but my instinct is the 97 is tighter all around then the 99 and would outlast it.
That being said, the one downside - and what will likely cause me to have to part with the 97 this fall - is the truck configuration. Aside from the rare 98 quad cab short beds, you either get a regular cab long bed or a extended cab long bed. If you have a standard garage, the regular cab is probably the only 12 valve that will fit inside (a requirement for me - wife is short and doesn't want to scrape windows!) Due to the scheduled arrival of our first child, I will probably find myself upgrading to a 3rd gen quad cab in the not to distant future, but only because I need the extra cab space, not the extra valves.
Good luck on your hunt. It took me almost a year to find this one, but they are out there.
-Vic
Why didn't you ask an easy question like 5 speed vs automatic or 2wd vs 4wd!
Seriously, I have one of each so I'll chime in. I suppose a lot has to do with what you plan to do with the truck. Mine see mostly commuting duty with the occasional light slide-in or towing my 66 plymouth, so I would classify my use as light. Both trucks are stock in the HP department as well. Seat of the pants I don't notice much power difference between the two - both are more then adequate for my use. The 4x4 auto gets almost the exact same mpg as the 2wd stick, which leads me to believe that the 12 valves are a little better in the mileage department. I haven't had any serious mechanical issues with either, so I can't comment on reliability (both good!)
The 12 valve is louder, smokes more and is generally more of a truck. It feels more solid - and thats with 1. 5 times the mileage then the 24 (93k vs 63k). Hard to compare, but my instinct is the 97 is tighter all around then the 99 and would outlast it.
That being said, the one downside - and what will likely cause me to have to part with the 97 this fall - is the truck configuration. Aside from the rare 98 quad cab short beds, you either get a regular cab long bed or a extended cab long bed. If you have a standard garage, the regular cab is probably the only 12 valve that will fit inside (a requirement for me - wife is short and doesn't want to scrape windows!) Due to the scheduled arrival of our first child, I will probably find myself upgrading to a 3rd gen quad cab in the not to distant future, but only because I need the extra cab space, not the extra valves.
Good luck on your hunt. It took me almost a year to find this one, but they are out there.
-Vic
Vic,
Just FYI, my 2 1/2 yr old son fits OK in the rear seat of the 98 QC. I have his seat on the passenger side and although I do have to slide the front seat forward a bit, my wife can still fit somewhat comfortably.
Number 2 is due in December so I might have to look at a 3 gen then. :{
Steve
98 QC 12v 4x4
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