Big Ben

Hi guys, I just wanted to say thanks for all the information you have available on this site. I am looking to purchase my first CTD Truck and just wanted some advice. I cant decide between the 96-98.5 12v and the later 24v trucks. I am looking to spend around 20k at most and want to get the best bang for the buck. I must first be honest with all of you and say I do not need a CTD I just want a CTD Truck. I have never owned a truck that has ***** and thought if I was going to "Go" than I was going to "GO BIG" I have driven several and after reading as many posts as I can honestly am more confused now than ever I want a 2500 QC 4X4 with a Limited Slip DIFF, long or short bed. I had my heart set on a 1999 with 97k but with the problems I have ben reading about with the VP44 I am afraid to buy it. It scares me to death to look at spending 20 grand on a truck that may need a $1500 pump every 35k. If you guys woulod not mind just toss a few ideas out there for me to consider B-4 I buy a truck. I will be towing an inclosed trailer 16ft 3500lbs to and from GNCC Hair scramble events across the SE USA. The 5.7 silverado does the job now but the hills suck and you guys towing 14 thousand LBS up the same hills in the passing lane (yelling get a CDT as you blow me off the road)are quite an Pride buster for the old chevy. So, Do I buy a 97 for 16K and spend a few bucks on some performance goodies or bite the bullett and spend the 20k on the newer24v and hope it does not take a big dump? If given the choice which would you buy and also if you had $1500 to spend on Hi-Per mods would it go further on the 12v or the 24v. Thanks again and sorry for the long question.

KATOOM

I must say you will love driving a CTD but you have to understand that diesel's are different than gas engines and require a different kind of attention. Nothing hard just different. I cant say which truck you should get but what ever year you set your heart on make sure you do as much research on that year as you can. Every year has its issues, as with any brand vehicle. Thats whats nice about these sites. Try dodgeram.org. Good info site. As for the VP's going bad, well I cant say they wont but there has been some current research on why lift pumps and VP's are giving trouble and a lot of good things have come about. I will say though that if you dont mind shifting and you plan on doing high performance mods to your new truck then get a manual tranny because the auto's will give trouble unless you put money into a good tranny and autos come with less HD stuff on the truck. But then again you probably will have to replace a slipping clutch if you go for enough power goodies. Hey there is pro's and con's with whatever direction you go so research, research, research and ask here with ANY question.

jaconst

from what I have heard and am told $1500 on a 12 valve you can gain alot more than the 24 valve
the 98 is the only 4 door quad cab 12 valve CTD
the 24 valve started at the 98.5 so not alot of 12 valve quad cabs just extended cab w/ 2 doors

farmer dave

Like jaconst said, you can only get a QC on 98 and newer trucks. As far as the mods go, the 12v will get you more power with with the $1500. And as for the vp44, not everyone has problems with these. And it is only going to cost $1500 if the injection pump is bad, the lift pump is only a couple of hundred. Just go out and start test driving some, you will soon find what you are liiking for.
dave

Big Ben

Thanks for the responses. I must clarify I want an extended cab but stupid me typed QC so my fault. I have driven several and found a couple that I liked. The trannys seemed to shift smoth at part throttle and were a little firmer under full acceleration. I also drove a couple of thrucks that did not want to shift unless you were very aggressive with the throttle it was like they wanted to streatch all the rpms they could get out if 1 and 2nd gear. They were either modified or aboutto take a big dump? I called and got some prices from BANKS as well as visited there site and read all the information on the different kits they made for the 12v and 24v the 12v is a little less pricy. It seems like good stuff is banks the way to go or who do you think sells a kit to get the best bang for the buck (in kit form I need guages and everything to monitor the boost, egt, trans-temp, and post-lift pump pressure. Thanks again

ddestruel

BANKS is not worth the money you can get more power for less and equal or better mileage without breaking the bank on banks.

Choose the truck first then Ask us or read some posts about bombing your truck alot of people have done alot of experimenting already and have found good combinations that work extremely well and will serve you well. As to a kit you can order the gauges one place and the power upgrades from another. itll be a little running around and require someresearch but BANKS IS WAY OVER PRICED.

Good for you good luck finding what you really want

Dusty

Cummins66

If you like creature comforts then get a newer 24 valve, I think they are a little nicer and more comfortable to ride in (but you can decide for yourself when you test drive them). I drove one in the mountains that had just an EZ chip in it (less than $500) and it pulled great. So if you just want to be able to pull decent, that is the way I would go (thats just me). If you want to bomb your truck though, it will cost the most in the transmission. The 12V would be cheaper to bomb, but either one will cost a pretty penny for a solid transmission. I don't think that I would buy just an entire kit somewhere. Shop around and find the best deals (I have some mods from ebay).

Big Ben

Thanks, I found a 99 with 98k I like it alot. A local dealer has it and wants 19 for it. I have a 1994 corvette with 74k 6speed think he will trade even? I am going back to drive it again tomorrow.

farmer dave

Try to get him down, that is a little high for that year and the milage. It sounds like you have found what you want. The ones that shift different might have a shift kit in them. I had a 97 auto that I had a DTT vavle body put in and it shifted similar to what you said, would shift into higher rpms but firm shift and wouldn't shift into od until you let off throttle. Just make sure that the shifts are firm and the rpms are not flucuating alot, this could mean slippage.
dave

Big Ben

O well I went to make an offer on the 99 and it was being preped for its new owner. I did however ask the guy that purchased it what he got it for and he said 18,300 so anyway. I will keep looking. Thanks again

Geico266

"I had my heart set on a 1999 with 97k but with the problems I have ben reading about with the VP44 I am afraid to buy it. It scares me to death to look at spending 20 grand on a truck that may need a $1500 pump every 35k."

I have 137K miles and just replaced a $150 fift pump for the first time, and I run my truck. Just my $.02 worth.