Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Just How Rare are...Early 98 2500, 12 Valve, SWB, QC, 4x4, SLT, 5 Speed ??

[mgoncalves]

Saying you shouldn't have SB-HD trucks is kinda like saying you shouldn't own a truck cap either... . it's all personal preferance. QUOTE]



I've been known to say that as well



Thank god for personal preference huh?

 

[Matthug]

I for one, wish that nobody offered heavy duty trucks with a shortbed, sort of defeats the purpose in my opinion.



Matt

Bed size has no effect on towing. I for one would like a QC SB because it's no longer than a standard cab truck. I don't use the bed anyway, so it's no big deal to me. Around here everything is geared toward compact cars, especially the parking spaces. I'm so glad my dodge has such a good steering radius, it's come in handy so many times where my old chevy let me down. One thing I liked about my Z71 though, the 4WD worked much better... . that truck went anywhere in the snow. I've almost gotten stuck in my dodge in places that the chevy didn't even spin in.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

just FYI, a QC/SB IS longer than a reg cab!

 

[mgoncalves]

Bed size has no effect on towing.

One could argue that a longer wheelbase and heavier overall weight have an effect on stability/ safety when towing.

 

[MrDiesel]

I definately agree... wheel base/weight are your firends when towing heavy loades. Looks like I get my first chance to tow a light load (5K or so) with my QC SB this week end... .

 

[TPCDrafting]

Quad cab and just extended cab were options in that year. Another option (which mine has ) was the HD version with added springs and rear sway bar. There was evidentally an update for the 5th gear nut, whether that fixed is or not, I don't know.

I found mine online at a dealer north of Denver. It has been on the lot for over a month. I inquired as to why it had sat for so long and the dealer said that nobody wanted that HD of a truck with the short bed. I do like the shortbed for everyday driving although I think it rides a bit rougher than the LWB version. It also fits in my garage if I put it against the shop table. I am only left with about 8" to spare.

 

[Matthug]

just FYI, a QC/SB IS longer than a reg cab!

By a couple inches, not a couple feet like a QC LB is.

One could argue that a longer wheelbase and heavier overall weight have an effect on stability/ safety when towing.

If you want to tow that heavy than you need a dually anyway.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

By a couple inches, not a couple feet like a QC LB is.









If you want to tow that heavy than you need a dually anyway.

true, true, but it IS longer... I can tell a difference in tight turns/parking lots/etc.



a dually is more you friend than a quad/long truck... the width and support of the extra tires is more important than a longer/heavier truck that lowers your legal payload numbers.

 

[Matthug]

I looked it up, a QC SB truck is 4 inches longer wheelbase than a reg cab. I'm surprised dodge did that, usually they keep things the same as possible to cut down on production costs... . IE the driveshaft has to be a different length now. Knowing the history of dodge to do that I figured they were the same wheelbase.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I looked it up, a QC SB truck is 4 inches longer wheelbase than a reg cab. I'm surprised dodge did that, usually they keep things the same as possible to cut down on production costs... . IE the driveshaft has to be a different length now. Knowing the history of dodge to do that I figured they were the same wheelbase.

I was surprised too... but I guess it kinda makes sense... it took them longer to come out w/ the quad/short 2500 because they had to make a new frame...



but I guess it was cheaper to have a different length driveshaft than design a shorter club/quad cab section OR a 4" shorter bed

 

[ThompsonS]

WHats the WB and overall length differences between the QC short bed and the QC long bed? 18'' Im guessing. ?

 

[Matthug]

16'' difference. 138. 7'' vs 154. 7. A reg cab is 134. 7. If Forrest can tell the difference in driving a reg can and a QC SB, (and thats only a 4'' difference) than I'm sure there's a huge difference in 16 more inches.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

16'' difference. 138. 7'' vs 154. 7. A reg cab is 134. 7. If Forrest can tell the difference in driving a reg can and a QC SB, (and thats only a 4'' difference) than I'm sure there's a huge difference in 16 more inches.

oh man, there is... I drove a club/long 2500 for a test drive once... MAN that thing was long... I don't know if I could have pulled it into my back driveway!!!



<-- city boy

 

[Matthug]

Well my brother has an 02' QC LB truck and when I park my reg cab beside it the thing just seems soooo much longer. I've never driven his, but I am dying too because his is majorly BOMB'd with 475 RWHP. I know he has trouble parking it though, every time I go somewhere with him we have to park way out in the middle of nowhere in the parking lot. With my truck I can pop right into the closest available spot. I love the tight steering radius on these trucks!

 

[Katmandu]

So you are saying that you couldnt get a shortbed with a cummins at all prior to 98?

No. That's NOT what I was refering to.

This tread is talking about EARLY 98s which were manufactured STARTING in LATE 97 (I'm not sure when the 98 model year STARTED production) thru 12-31-97 ONLY.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Even rarer is the '98 2-wheel drive 12-valve shortbed Quad cab. I have come across two of them.

I've actually come across about 10 of them within the last year...



I finally got the one I wanted! It's a twinkie to Fulmer's truck (though much slower!) and I pulled the moulding, pinstripe, and badges off of it.



seller didn't know what they were sitting on... I picked it up for $8600

You make me sick Forrest! I can hardly find any SB 4x2s in the NW, let alone a '98 12v. They're all down south and east. I have my eye on a '98 12v 4x2 shorty Club Cab Auto in California (non EGR luckily). From what I'm seeing that's quite a bit more rare than a Quad Cab (about 3/4 of extended cab '98s are Quad Cab). Unfortunately this guy is pretty proud of it and thinks he's getting $12,750 for it.



Here is the ULTIMATE rare truck:



1999 Club Cab 4x2 shortbed with 6-speed transmission. Bet most of us will never see one of those, not even sure even 1 exists, even though it would have been possible to order one up that way for a brief period in 1999.



Vaughn

 

[ThompsonS]

They are NOT in the southeast.



There isnt a 98 12v QC SB 4WD 5 speed avail anywhere!



Not for a decent price, Ive seen a couple for $18K, but , sorry, Im not paying more than 70% of retail.



No way am I paying MORE than full retail.



I'm just too frugal for that.



I'll take a long bed, but no slushboxes, unless I can can find one that needs a trans, so I can install a 5 speed.



It seems the 3500s are cheaper than the 2500's. since joining the TDR and learned that swapping to a SRW is not too difficult I am looking at those too now.







Im thinking a conversion would be cheaper, since I can get a dinged up V-10 at an auction for less than $4K.

You make me sick Forrest! I can hardly find any SB 4x2s in the NW, let alone a '98 12v. They're all down south and east. I have my eye on a '98 12v 4x2 shorty Club Cab Auto in California (non EGR luckily). From what I'm seeing that's quite a bit more rare than a Quad Cab (about 3/4 of extended cab '98s are Quad Cab). Unfortunately this guy is pretty proud of it and thinks he's getting $12,750 for it.



Here is the ULTIMATE rare truck:



1999 Club Cab 4x2 shortbed with 6-speed transmission. Bet most of us will never see one of those, not even sure even 1 exists, even though it would have been possible to order one up that way for a brief period in 1999.



Vaughn

 

[tgrfan2]

What is so special about the ones yall are mentioning, besides the new interior with the 12 valve engine? I have a '98 12 valve cab/chassis work truck and traded a '98 12 valve quad cab 3500 2-wheel drive for my '03. I like the interior of the '03 MUCH better. As far as the engines, I would rather have my '96. The throttle linkage is set up different (less touchy)and the shift pattern is longer on the transmission than the '98 is. I prefer the '96 overall over the '98 because of the transmission (long throw 5-speed), guages (easier to read, less lights), air conditioning controls (can have foot/feet setting without running the A/C compressor) and the speakers, including tweeters are all in the door, which is nice when opening the doors to listen to the radio. I suppose it is all about personal preference, but I can't stand a short bed truck or the cheesie "half door" quad cabs. The addition of actual doors was the MUST-HAVE for me in '03! I do love a 12 valve engine best though!

The 03 HO could be a classic too. I tried to buy my friend's 3500 SRW HO 48re before the transmission went south on my 98. Can't turn back now so it is in the shop for KDP fix and 3K GSK. I like the interior of either the 98 or 03 better than the 06 for sure. Suicide doors are OK for the grandkids for now.

I chased my 98 from Va to south Ga four years ago. Believe me those guys know about 12V QCs! I paid more than I could get a 2000 for then with the same mileage. My only regret is the sorry Dana 70 so if any of you manual guys want to give up a Dana 80 SRW let me know.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

My only regret is the sorry Dana 70 so if any of you manual guys want to give up a Dana 80 SRW let me know.

roger that! I scored a 3. 54 limited slip disk brake D80 complete with master cylinder and proportioning valve from a good buddy of mine

 

[tgrfan2]

roger that! I scored a 3. 54 limited slip disk brake D80 complete with master cylinder and proportioning valve from a good buddy of mine

I would claim him as kin and put him in the will after that!!!!!1