Thinking of going from 98 12v to 2004 24v

[JKure]

Hey

I was thinking of trading my 98 12 auto for a 2004 quad cab 24 v auto just wondering if the newer autos were better and if not how can a person make it stronger? I have already done 2 in my truck How are the engines for reliabilty? Im gonna be usuing the truck for moving large trailers and boats.

 

[Dieselnerd]

If you leave the engine stock, the 48RE is way better than the 47RE which didn't hold up very well towing even with a stock engine. The 48RE stays locked up towing up hills where the older one unlocked and made heat on long hills unless you put in a manual locking switch.



I tow a heavy trailer with mine and so far it's been day and night difference between the two. I had to upgrade my 47RE, the TC started slipping at about 20K towing with a very mild engine upgrade.

 

[MFalkinham]

I own both a '98 47re and '03 48re, and the 48re improvements are noticable. For your use it should hold up fine. I would just drain the transmission pan and put in a fresh filter and ATF+4 fluid. A transmission temp gauge would be a good idea if you spend a lot of time backing trailers.

Engine wise, the '04 24v is a very good engine, but the electric lift pumps are junk. Replace the stock Carter lift pump with a Walbro system before it leaves you stranded somewhere.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I have both trucks you describe. I do not have an auto in my 04. 5 though. As for engines, my 04. 5 gives me nothing but greif almost all the time. Always and I mean always throwing codes and going into some kind of limp mode. I do have an edge juice w/attitude on it. I have sent it back once for an upgrade to the hot program, but I still have all kinds of codes making it run like crap. Even when I run it on stock the codes don't clear themselves. I bought both trucks new, and after 9 years and around 300,000 km's my 98 12v has NEVER given me any engine related problems. Oh yeah, my 04. 5 left me stranded with a failed lift pump as well..... and 10 1/2 weeks in the shop waiting for a nv5600. The 04. 5 is a nice enough truck, and I do like it, it just seems to have more issues than my 98 ever has. Other than codes and limp mode 3/4 of the time the 04. 5 has not had any engine work on it either.

 

[CRHardie]

Dont do it !!!!! I went from an 98 12v stick to a 03 auto and hate it The truck itself is nice but the engine and trans suck If the 48is better than the 47 as far as staying locked up I cant imagine what the 47 was like to drive Your fuel economy will go right in the toilet and horse power upgrades are costly My old 12v would out run and out pull the 03 with no other cost than an exhaust and an afternoon of under hood adjustments. Ihave hundreds into the 03 and am not satisfied with the power

 

[Benson]

I would do it considering you are going from an auto to an auto. Mine has been flawless (although I'd like to mod it eventually). The rack and pinion steering (on 2WD's) almost makes it worth it. Way superior to the pre '03 steering.
There is a difference in the '04's and '04. 5's as well. I think the '04's are a bit more reliable. I have done the transfer pump mod. That fold down storage in the back is great too.

 

[Smokin_Monster]

I have a 98 12v 5sp and an 04 Auto. Lets just say I drive the 04 most of the time now. It does slip a little right before the TC locks up but I think that can be fixed really easy. I also have a Bully Dog Triple Dog/Torque Dog stack. Love it.

 

[Tmartin000]

As you can see, I too have some exp with a couple of 12 valvers! My 98 was a vast improvement over the 97. At least in the cabin creature features... I had done some VB modding too. Once I had made my shifts firmer with a TransGo kit, I definetly liked my 47RE alot better. Really miss the loud diesel sounds... BUT, let me tell you. My 06 puts the ole 98 to shame on almost every level. Love the long drives now. This motor truely purrs! Did I mention the lack of engine noise? Very nice ride. The 48RE is the bomb. The shifting is what it should be. Crisp. You will like it.