I've been reading/lurking here for quite a while. I have 2 24 valve CTD trucks. Between the two, I have accumulated about 395,000 miles. NOt bad, but 've also replaced 4 vp44s, and have to do it again. IN VP44S alone, I could buy a 12 valve, that would, (apparently) last forever. I've read several reports of 12 valves going over a million miles.
What's the downside? I live in Las Vegas, and it's HOT here. My VP44's all seem to fail when the temps are over 120 degrees, and it appears to be the electronics. II have a FASS lift pump, low pressure warning, etc.
Bottom line: Are there any reasons t NOT to just get a 12 valve and drive it forever???
Thanks.

 

There was never a better engine made!!! Than the 12 valve cummins.

 

P pump your current trucks, nothing beats a p pumped 24v engine

 

Thanks.
A while back I would have P-Pumped the 24v motors, but I've run out of time and ability. There are plenty of 12v trucks in my area (within 100 miles of Las Vegas), and I need to deal with this asap.

 

Related, sort of.... Anybody in the Vegas Area have TRANSMISSION SHOP they TRUST??? /both my trucks have minor leaks and weeps n the trans areas, and I want to take care of that (again, sooon). I had a transmission for an completely unrelated car rebuilt here a while back, and it didn't last. I expect they just flushed it an called it re-built.

 

Then only down side is Noise. I wish mine was as quiet as a common rail, the rattle can get old.... or maybe I am just old...

 

Grider Pirate:

I have owned five (5) Dodge CTD Pickups now and without a doubt my 1996
Dodge CTD 12 valve is the BEST truck I have owned! Like you, I also had a 2002 Dodge CTD 24 valve that I bought new and in 94,000 miles put three (3)
VP-44's on it! IMHO,......the VP-44 Dodge CTD Pickups are the worst diesel trucks Dodge ever made.

On the Dodge CTD 12 valve trucks, as long as you make sure the dowel pin problem is fixed and the block is not stamped with a "53" the 12 valve trucks are VERY reliable and have the track record to prove that. There is no pesky
"electronics" to give you problems, the P-7100 fuel pumps are super tough and reliable and the mechanical injectors are simple and cheaper to replace than ANY of the newer trucks.

Good luck in your search Sir! I don't think you can go wrong.

---------
John_P

 

With a fluidamper the noise is reduced a lot.

 

I think the 12v's are quieter than the VP trucks. Especially at idle. I know when I p-pumped my dually, it was a fair bit quieter.

 

So far, the answers here are as I hoped and expected. Noise - not a problem. Less power? Also not a problem. My 2001 is overpowered (IMO) and I like driving my wife's bone stock 1999 better. It would be nice if I could just BUY a reliable vehicle for my son to haul his wife and kids in. I just don't know what is good out there. He had a Tacoma, with the V6 (a motor I've never been impressed with) but it's having 'issues' now.

Life's a crap shoot. Ya' pays your money and takes' yer' chances.

 

I have a commonrail and a 12 valve

and it all comes down to preference.. Between the two, the 12 valve is FARRR more reliable, and easier to work on,

But the common rail makes much smoother power and rides ages better than my 12 valve....

I think the 12 valve pulls harder than my CR and has more tq, but then again its the auto to manual debate on mine.. The 12 valve gets better mileage each and every time, and even with almost 100K more miles and mods than the CR, the 12 valve IMHO is just superior..

but its not my daily driver.. my commonrail is my work truck, and daily driver, and for the main reasons, comfort, and quieter...

never had a VPd truck, but IMHO, they are louder than 12 valves, and between a 12valve and commonrail in reliability...

 

Four out of the six trucks I've owned have been second gens, two of them 12v's. I figure one of the worst things for me is trying to decide what to do with the driveline. Rebuild this Dodge truck or hire a conversion sone into something else.

 

I personally love jumping into the 12V after driving my 2013 Passat TDI for a week, the "noise" is wonderful music to my ears- like my 2yr old says as he walks past my Toyota and points towards the CTD "daddy real truck"

 

To add to this topic, after driving and owning ALOT of modern diesels the #1 thing I LOVE about my 12 Valve is the fact that it has amazing THROTTLE RESPONCE, these drive by wire systems with there .05 millisecond lag and slow fueling drive me friggin nuts. I love the fact that my foot is connected to a P7100.

 

There was a bit in a magazine that had all of the internals laid out from the 12 valve up to the 6.7... The 12 valve just has beefier internals as well.

I love mine.