Thedieselkid

Hello,

My name is Paul and I am looking at buying a Cummins truck. I am just wondering what you all think I should be looking for as far as engine 24v or 12V? I am wondering how do they compare when it comes to longevity and cost to maintain, how does the fuel economy and power compare, and lastly which would you rather mod?
I am looking for a truck that will last and have plenty of power when I am hauling. I am def a newb so even the most basic of reason why you would choose one over the other is probably something new to me. I already know about the 53 block and don't want to go down that road, but other then that what should I look for as a potential problem down the road?
I appreciate the help, and look forward to learning as much as I can

Thanks,

Paul

PS the truck will be an automatic quad cab or extended cab

torqueshop

My vote would be toward a 12V I like the fact that it is al mechanical. Easy to add ppower to and just plain solid. you cant go real far wrong either way But I always lean toward the 12 V

garretch

12valves rule. we've put them in middle of fields and as long as you feed them and change their diper they run for days without shutting them off...full power. we have one here that has just over 25k hours on it. all i've done is basic maint. shoot, there are guys here with a million miles on them. i think the mech aspect of the engine makes it reliable. as for mods, you can find all kinds of people here that do their 12v justice and they usually don't cost very much. if you have a decent set of tools you can do the mods yerself.
as for the newer engines, it's kinda nice to just "flick a few switches" and get great power.
either way it just good to have a cummins. cant wait till they release the v6 and v8 cummins.

grantx5

The quad cab with 4 real doors only comes in a 24v. Probably be a bit hard to find a 12v with lower miles at a decent price 'cause guys love 'em and don't part with them easily or cheaply.

You can't go wrong with a 12v if you can find one you want to buy. 24v will be more plentiful but don't come cheap either.

Do you have to have 4 doors?
How much are you willing to spend?
What transmission do you want?
What mileage are you looking for?
What kind of mods are you thinking of?
What kind of driving will you be doing?

Just some things to think about b4 you go looking.

Cummins are the best and a blast to drive. Good luck with your purchase, keep us updated on how it's going.

displacedtexan

Actually the early 98 models came with a 12v. It can be harder to find in a 12v quad cab, but they aren't exactly rare either.

On Edit: I would rather have the mechanical 12v, but they are both good engines. Before you get a 12v read about the KDP, and on the 24v read up on the VP-44/Lift Pump saga, and the 53 block.

Earthmover627

I like my 12v ecspecialy a little bombed,I have driven some 24v and think the 12 is better but thats my opinon. others will differ

SmokenRam

Can't go wrong with the 12v, although the 24v's are nice. The 12v's are easier to work on, some parts are cheaper. They are both good motors, but depending on how fast you need to find one, the 12's are hard to come by, that are nice. I waited and search for about 6months untill i found the one i got, 98 12v, quad cab, red, 4x4, and low miles.

TxDiesel007

Lotsa readin on this one

Im biased towards a 12V, my ride says so in itself, But i cannot dog the 24v. See it this way, if u like electronics and gizmos and the possibility of a VP 44 goin bad then go with a 24 V, if you like hand tool workin go with a 12V, The VP44 aint so bad if you moniter fuel pressure tho..

RIck

Willy91

I personally like the 12 valve for all of the reasons stated, mostly for the all mechancal fuel system and relative ease of adding power. But like many have said the 24v is a very good angine and would be worth considering.

*****

megajoltman

Took me over 2 years to find mine

catnfool

I found a 98 12v quad 5speed with "110,000" miles on it, BRIGHT BLUE!!!!!!!! in Cut Bank, MT about 5 months ago for $13k and told them I would be over in two days to buy it. Well, that was the first day the ad came out, and it was sold that night I found another auto with 288k on it and grabbed it quick for $7500

Forrest Nearing

I'm on my 2nd 12v quad cab on my 4th 12v. only 24v I would own would be a 3rd gen.

97ramctd

i have to agree i love my 12 valve and if i was to buy another truck i would get a 3rd gen.

AltavistaLawn

I'll go with everyone else.

I own both. The 12v is the better truck. If you're not set on an auto, you'll love a 5 speed.

JEEPFLEXIN

i think no matter what engine you go with it will be a WINNER, the down side to an older truck is if you get one that wasn't maintained (like i did) the motor is great but i bet in the past year i've thrown $4,000 at suspension brakes and other stuff that wears out as the truck has gotten older. but once a truck (in my opinion) gets to be 3 years old you should expect to put a good $1000-$1500 per year into it./ but that is no reflection of the engine, my experience is the deisel engine in any platform truck just tends to wear the trucks out faster. don't get me wrong the cummins is worth the extra dough to me and i deffinatly like my 12 valve, but i wish i had 4 doors. the early 98 is a pretty sweet rig.