I was thinking of selling my '01 24V auto to get a 12V ('97 or '98) preferrably 5spd manual or maybe auto if the rest of the truck were nice.

The problem I'm coming up with is that it's hard to find a clean low mile 12V...especially one close to me

Pros of my truck:
- newer
- excellent condition outside, no rust, dings, dents, gouges etc...
- very low miles 32K = low wear and tear on the truck in every way
- Sport model
- everything works perfect, it's interior is more modern and no tears, rips, faded plastic, cracked surfaces etc...
- better creature comforts
- nice straight and clean, no frame damage, perfect cab is nice and tight
- great running condition
- nice disc brakes all around, good braking feel
- can use programers and chips and the sort for easy adjustability
- has the below mods in my sig, which are very recent and I just paid for them


Pros of 12 V manaul tranny truck
- 12 V engine
- No VP 44...EVER!
- Long lasting, bulletproof..."last truck you'll ever need" reputation
- '98's are available in a QC LB like my '01
- all mechanical, less complicated
- better fuel economy (so I've heard)...is this right??
- simple few mods (plate, gsk, kdp etc...) to make it a good everyday running truck with good mpg

then again the 12V truck is older, I won't know what I'm getting into in terms of what's worn, what needs replaced, chances are higher for it being hit, damaged, abused, wrecked, not as good shape interior in terms of just wear and tear by age...etc..etc..plus who know's what condition it's been maintained or what shape the engine and tranny are in...

I've been thinking about this...maybe a p-pump is the way for me and keep my 24V and auto tranny w/ TC and VB, who knows...any thoughts? Or maybe keep my truck and swap in a 12V with a 5 spd tranny later on down the road??

I dunno ...I guess I'm looking for some sort of optimal solution...I am an engineer by education so I'm trying to optimize the situation I suppose...

any advice would be appreciated...

 

you already pointed it out you can get the 98 12V. BUT I like power by buttons LOL I can turn it up and down on the fly

 

From the sound of it, it seems like you already talked yourself into it.

I wouldnt do it but its not my truck. Am I reading your mileage right ... 32,000???

 

yes 32,000 miles on my truck at this time...I bought it bone stock with 26,500 miles in late July this year and proceeded to drive it, and put the below modifications on it.

 

Man I would never sell it. It is still NEW

 

that's exactly the dillemma...I'd never find a 12V in this shape...but I dread the potential issues that are a part of this truck...

plus I think the 12V is more efficient so I've heard, less hassle, and you get better mpg for daily driving...with the cost of diesel at $3.40/gal that's becoming a very important factor for me....

 

I did just like you would like......sold my '99 2 years ago and got a 97 12v, sold it again for another 12v, sold it again to get back to my 24v, this is my 3rd one.

I like the simplicity of the 12 valves, but to get power you have to actually work on motor and to get power the way I like it you have to get a technician to upgrade, both my 12v could not tow a trailer without smoking or have instant surges of power.

I love my 24v, got more miles out of them, the VP44 might be a risk, but just like the block 53 is more a myth ( to me) than actuality. Honestly out of 3 24valves and 1 53 block I never had any problem at all, and I average over 200,000 miles each.

I feel for any problem truck you read online, there's tens of thousands running flawless elsewhere, Cummins would not be where it is if all their motors were dying as described, and they are installed in commercial applications, generators, earth moving equipment, etc, not just Dodge trucks (which are just few millions of products).

 

With all of the mods you've done to your 24v, WHY would you want to part with it? You've got it just about fool-proofed for preventing VP-44 failures- why worry? The VP-44 doesn't usually drop dead on the road, it exhibits warning signs liks 'dead pedal' and codes show up.

Plus, your "Pro" list for 24v is WAY longer with better features than the 12v list!

 

i agree..that sounds like a super nice truck! id never get rid of it!!

 

Nah the LP and VP44 are an obvious weak point for the 24v, but like any weak point they can be remidied and that shouldn't be forgotten. The shop I have my truck at right now was VERY aware of the VP44, it is a pretty common thing to have go wrong with the 24v motor, even with commerical vehicles (which is what this shop deals with primarily)... but the mechanic also went on and on about how badass CTD's are, about how he thought they were easily the best on the market, and that the VP44 was a small price to pay for everything else you got out of them...

You could always swap a 12v into your '01. My mpg seems to be right on par with similarly geared 12v's so I think a lot of that has to do with driver habits. Plus the creature comforts of a 24v truck are a lot nicer IMHO. I wouldn't trade my '02 for anything, but that's just me.

 

Sunir,

Do not for a minute think that 12Vs are without their problems. I have an 01 and a 98 12V and the 12V has given me FAR more problems than the 01 has. The 24Vs are pretty solid trucks once you take care of the fuel issues (and make sure its not a 53 block). Besides, youll never find a 12V with that kind of milage.

 

Have the best of both worlds. Keep your low mile ( can you believe that) truck and just save up and do the P-pump conversion.

 

Hey Sunir, just what are ya thinking? We haven't even began to BOMB your truck yet. Ya still got all that stuff laying around waiting to be put on. Lets do that first, then you can try TJ's Smarty on your truck. Then you can take Eric's 12v for a spin and see what you have and what he doesn't.
If you want to build a pullin truck get a 12v, if you want a DD then keep the 24v with an adjustable chip so you can save fuel when you want and race when ya can, all with the push of a button.
I'm trying to pick the next day so we can have a wrenchin day and get your truck done.

 

I would keep the 24Valve - it's too new to replace!

And as I can testify, the rest of the truck will give you trouble with a 12 valve unit. Even if it's not been run hard, it still will most likely have much more wear and tear on it than your newer '01 has.

A good modification to save up for...put aside the cash for a new VP-44 in a CD at your local bank, and keep it so when it drops, you're ready. Just call it your VP-44 insurance plan.

 

KEEP YOUR TRUCK!!!!!!!! You already named all of the reasons why. I used to have a 94 single cab 5 speed 4x4 that was paid for(that was the best part!) But I sold it a few years ago. And im kickin myself for it. But then I look at my truck now and say to myself: I love my nice new modern interior with all power, the four wheel disk brakes and just the newness of it. Im glad I have the truck I have now. Its amazing how the pump issue gets to a lot of people if anything get a third gen 5.9.