TheNeckasaurus

Hi im looking to buy my first diesel, the one on mind is a 99 dodge ex cab long bed with 196000 miles for $4900...any input would be great.

gorms

Sounds pretty reasonable, but that is a 24V. Past experience tells to make sure the tranny fluid is clean after a few good pull out tests, and failing lift pump (feeds fuel from sending unit to injection pump) is a culprit of destroying the VP44 injection pump. I have seen many bone stock 24V's with well over 3-400K miles, but a little investigation is needed to be sure you won't have to drop $1200 on a new pump.

TheNeckasaurus

My mistake, like I said, Im new to diesels haha....You actually just saved my tail cause I want the 12v. But I thought it was a pretty good price for a diesel. Ill keep looking, id really like a short bed 4x4 anyways, thanks alot gorms!

TheNeckasaurus

Also, being that the guys on this site know a thing or two bout diesels, what Ive read is that the '97-'98 12v's or just 12v in general are extremely reliable. But, it sounds like some of the simplest performance upgrades will destroy my transmission. Now Im kind of skeptical on 12v, are they just being a little **** or is the honest to God truth?

patdaly

LOL, those simple upgrades double the HP.

The Auto is a weak point, so get a stick or figure on a good trans with at least a Converter and VB.

Life as I knew it ended when the last 12V rolled down the line. Sorry for those who embrace newer diesels, it is not that I am a Luddite, because I built my own 1000 plus Hp Blown/Sequential EFI ride, but a Truck is supposed to be dead reliable, and stone simple.

RollsCoal

LOL. Amen to that.

So you guys that are getting tired of that old loud smelly 12 valve, go ahead and buy you a new EPA approved, DPF equipped, computer programmed 2010 Dodge diesel, and you can sell me the old 12 valve dinosaur. I will be glad to take it off your hands.

patdaly

hey! Don't muscle in.......we need to establish territories here, how about you take all them below the Mason-Dixon line, and I get them above.

TheNeckasaurus

That is why its just a dilema! haha...I know moving the plate and stuff really help alot with power and stuff but if you're always worried about blowing up your trans then whats the point of having all that power when you cant use it. I know the 12v is a great truck and but the tranny worries me, so if i were to get a stick it would be alot less prone to failure?

patdaly

Nope, then you need to worry about your clutch..............

Relax, figure on paying if you play, and build a trans or clutch to last.

Diesels are not for the broke.........

TheNeckasaurus

What would be less of a headache though? to rebuild a tranny or a clutch?

redneck11

well seing as your not going to buy that 24 valve were is it so i can buy it

torquefan

My opinion is that it is much easier to spend $1K on a sturdier clutch than $4K plus, on a sturdier auto. My truck is mainly a tow vehicle though, so fast shifts aren't very important.

TheNeckasaurus

Clovis California

patdaly

Lot of it depends on what you will do with the truck, for any kind of racing, I would do the Auto, where fast shifts or keeping it 100 percent spooled between shifts is not important, then my preference is a stick.