Hello everyone, im new here to Diesel truck resource. Ive been reading a lot of the forums and been hovering this site for about 1 month now and decided to join to get some of my questions answerd. Its amazing how much information are in these forums and how much information you guys know... unbelievable. Well im looking to get a 1997 or 1998 12 valve 2500. All i really want to do to it is get the SMOKE ROLLIN. Ive researched a lot of the topics im interested in and have learned a lot. I really just dont know if i should get a 97 or 98. The 98 is the newer body with newer mirrors and gauges and stuff like that but i dont know what else is different between the 2 years. Of course i want the newer nicer body but i dont want problems with the newer technology. For example i want simple analog odometer not digital..... Less things to break. I cant decide from the 2 years so thats 1 problem i have.

What im planning to do is just get a pyro gauge first of course, and then get a set of 370's and a 5 inch exhaust with a 4 inch turbo downpipe to stacks. Only 2 things i want-injectors and straight pipe.

I'm not looking for power or much performance just a loud and smokey truck that is reliable (egt wise).

So if you guys could give me your input on which year truck to get and what a good set up is to get the smoke rollin id appreciate it.

Again thank u so much in advance for everything. I love this website and the people here are so knowledgeable and friendly.

 

ive got a 97 decked out with wood grian and leather, and weve got a 98 at my grandpas john deere dealership. overal i like the 98 because of the dash and inside. just my .02

 

obaja,
Welcome to DTR.

Please fill in your signature (see user cp) to help us help you.

Have fun and welcome again


Rick

 

We've had our 97' about a month now, put on wheels, tires, grille guard. The muffler is missing, chrome stack, no smoke lots of noise over 2,000 rpm. We like the 97', my .02

 

I love 97's (see sig) I'll have that one here in a week and a half. They are very easy to get the smoke rolling to.

 

Welcome to DTR obaja, good to have you with us.

Either truck will do you just fine. It more about what YOU want and how well the trucks were taken care of to begin with.
The 12Valve was only available for half (or so) of '98, so you may have an easier time finding a '97.
However, the 1998 12 Valve is the jack pot for many of our readers as you alreay mentioned, you get the best of both worlds (according to some).

Good luck on your search, keep us posted.

Rich

 

Welcome to DTR. You're smart to get input and advice prior to purchase. I got lucky and bought a 98 12v without knowing much but as my Dad said if your not smart you better be lucky.

I'm very glad I was lucky and really enjoy my truck but if I had to do it over, I would really consider an automatic transmission. Don't get me wrong, I love shifting for myself but each has it's good points. Just something else to consider.

Good luck with your search

 

Welcome to the site.
I've got a '98 and have done what's in my sig. Got mine new and love it. Bye the way , the digital speedo still works perfectly.My .02.

 

Welcome to DTR!

jot up another future member for the big pump club! THere is plenty of reading in this forum for you to get ur truck rolling some serious smoke, If you can get a 96-98 manual, it will have that 215 HP pump, or a 913 as its called around here, and you can get it to flow some serious fuel. Mine does... Or dont get discouraged, get some hi flow DV's on the smaller pump and some injectors and hold on! Good luck in the truck search and drop us a line if you need anything..

Rick

 

Thanks everybody for the quick responses. My main questions now are the place(website) to get 370's injectors and stacks. I was wondering even if they make stacks or is it kind of like a custom thing where i have to weld and bend and make my own stacks. Of course i know ihave to cut a hole or 2 in my bed to get the pipes through and put the system together but is there a place i could buy a system or would i have to make one? Just a few questions to get me going. Thanks

Marshall

 

Welcome to DTR, a great resource of info and help. The only problem with it is that your will find that you will succumb to the Gods of horsepower and torque. Careful, it's addictive, worse than any drug.
So.............you like Mexico?

 

Welcome Aboard, You are gonna love it here and forget all those other forums I promise ! Its a great site with very helpful members. Go ahead and start looking for a Bombers Anon Chapter 'cause I promise you'll get hooked. Luv my Ram/Cummins

 

you better start looking at some tranny upgrades first if you want 370's. you will find that smoke is something you don't want, yeah it looks cool but it means you don't have a big enough turbo to burn your excess fuel. you can get stacks here http://www.blackclouddiesel.com/Stacks/stacks.htm
if all you are wanting is to make it smoke and gain no performance, then just remove the turbo and try not to make the rest of us look bad by smoking up the streets where ever you go. most everyone on here is trying to make as much hp as they can just not to make there trucks trucks smoke more than anyone elses. if you want to make more hp i'll help you out, but if your just gonna drive down the road and smoke evryone driving behind you then your on your own

 

In agreement!
Publicity is something we should all be aware of.

Smoking trucks will get us sideways to the formation of new diesel legislation. Smoke with care.

 

A palce I would suggest getting 370's from is PDR. http://www.piersdiesel.com I have thier 370's and really like them. They may cost more than others but in my opinion they are well worth it. They don't haze at Idle like others do, and they offer a little higher Hp with less smoke and EGT's. I agree with others smoke is cool to have but use it wisely.