I own a 1 ton GMC Diesel that has given me great service , now I want to buy a Dodge this time . 95 to 99 which model is rated the best ? I want a 4x4 xcab short box ( maybe long ) How much do you think I should pay for it . 100000 to 150000 kms I know thats a open Q. but just your thoughts would be good. 12 V or 24V ? Al.

 

I have the 24v but if you could find a 98 12v that would probably be your safest bet. I would think a 98 with a 100k or so should go for about 16000 or so?

 

1998 quad cab 12v (edit: 8th Vin digit "D") is the best of 'em... if not, a '96-'97 club cab is the next best option... IMO.

 

the "D" is in the 8th letter of the vin

one thing you have to be careful on all 12 valves (and some 98.5 and maybe early 99 24 valves) is KDP damage. Killer Dowel Pin as it's called. if the truck has oil/dirt over the front cover, and you don't think it's from the front seal leaking, stay away from the truck. a 1998 12valve has the newer style interior, with the older, mechanical pumped motor (easy to modify). the 24valves have electronically controlled variable timing which i like for streetability. also, any truck after 98 has the quad cab. the 97s and under have the extended cab, but only two doors. also, mileage, transmission, rust, price, etc. you have to factor into what you want and what you can afford.

 

Without a doubt, try and find the elusive 98 12v quadcab - that is the holy grail, IMO.......you get the 4 door, later model interior, the P7100 215 hp pump w/ the 5spd........I tried to find one and gave up..........I went to the "dark side" and settled for a 24v........I would prefer to stay with a 12v because the pump is pretty much bomb proof w/ no exspensive electronics required to sustain them and is capable of making sick power without draining your wallet..........most including me, seem to get a fair bit better mileage with the 12v compared to the 24v, also...........bombing a 24v is much easier, though..........just plug in your favourite box and enjoy the benefits of in-cab adjustability and lots of power!

 

This is not exactly correct.......DC lists the quadcab as an option in 98........the standard extended cab option was still a club cab - you had to option the 4 door version.........The club cab was not deleted from the Ram option specs until halfway through the 99 model year..........it is possible to find a 98 or 99 club cab, though they are quite rare because of poor sales when the quad cab became available.

 

Thanks Guys , At least I won't go looking at some truck totally blind , Nice to talk to a bunch of guys that know their Dodge Trucks !! Thanks again Al

 

I am biased....LOL. One small note is that the short box option wasn't available till 98 either, so before that you would be into a long box. And Yes the club cab was available later on, I drove a 98 long box club cab on a test run.

In Canadian $$ you would be in the neighborhood of $20- 25K for a decent unit. Depends on your location on what would be available. I find the further north you go the more 4X4's there are, but they are pretty heavily used.

As far as best, well the 97 had the hydroboost brakes, 215hp engine (5 spd only) and was the last step until the 98 release so that was my target.

J-eh

 

I believe, and someone else may be able to chime in on this: In the 94-96 trucks, premature rusting on the bottoms of the doors is a factor. I was told, and from what i have seen, the drain holes on the 97 and newer were relocated for better draining. To me, door rust is a concern because it takes alot away from the overall apperance of the truck.

As far as the drivetrain, etc, the 97 and 98 12 valve are both excellent trucks. You would also do fine with a 24 valve... they are great trucks...

Price: A few that were for sale around here in SW Ohio:
98 12 Valve quad cab 4x4 auto... 130K miles, SLT Laramie, leather, loaded... $14900
97 12 Valve club cab 4x4 auto... 149K miles, SLT Laramie, loaded... $14000
96 12 Valve club cab 4x4 auto... 168K miles, SLT Laramie... $10900

All of those trucks were in good condition (only minor work needed) and I test drove all of them (bought one) That may give you some idea on the price that they have been going for around here....

 

Whats with this "KDP"?? I've never seen that posted here before?
Please explain...Thanks.

 

KDP = Killer dowel pin. A steel dowel pin in the timing housing may possibly wiggle its way out and land in the timing gears doing some pretty decent damage. While the chances aren't very high the penalty of it happening is quite significant.

 

My dad has a 98 club cab 12v. I can't say that I've ever seen a QC 12v or a Club Cab 24V. I know in 98.5 they came out with the QC and the 24V I thought that put an end to the CC and the 12V? Not saying I think anybody is lying I just haven't seen one.

 

The quad cab became available at the begining of the 98 model year not as a 98.5 and the club cab was eliminated altogether at the 99.5 model year.

 

my 12v quad cab was built 12/97.

 

I almost bought a 12V 98 QuadCab shortbed 4X4 5-speed (in Patriot Blue, the color of choice) off the ads on this site about 2 years ago - wish I had done it now. Price at the time was US$20K but had decent miles and seller was a fellow diesel nut that needed the money to go back to school on. I am East coast and truck was in Washington state but I was willing to send wife to get it and drive it home.

These trucks are out there, just not cheap and not numerous.

Ended up buying the wife an 89 Porsche 911 Cabriolet instead (her choice, not mine)(and more $$$$) - not near as useful as a CTD overall but looks and handles unlike anything else. You gotta pay to play........