Well i bought a 97 2500 ext cab 4x4 5spd About 2 months ago and i already had a 04.5 quad cab 4x4 cummins with some extras and i love driving the 97 more than the 04.5. The only downside is the extra noise in the cab.

I love driving the 97 more than my 04, i've put about 3000 miles on the 97 and only 500 on the 04 since i got the 97. And what puts the icing on the cake is the 20.5mpg i just got on my last tank of fuel. The best i've ever gotten out of my 04 was 17. The 97 has 4.10's and the 04 has 3.73's too. Love the rattle and shifting of the 12valve, sounds like a semi when rowing the gears.

One question though- if i just start it up it takes about 5 seconds of cranking to fire up but if i get the gas pedal a slight tap it starts up instantly, what could this be? I'm idling about 750rpm, does it need to be higher?

Just remembered another question- the air conditioning works but its not super cold air, it did fine on an 85 degree day last week but dont think it'll keep up to 100 degree temps, do you think it just needs a recharge?

Thanks, Sean

 

I run my idle at 850 but specs call for 750 to 800 with the ac on so your on the bottom side of it. I would bump it to 800 with ac on.

 

That's the way they were in 97. Mine does the same thing and my friends is like that too.
I was told Cummins tried to pass emissons by changing the timing a bit for that year.