WOW what a great site! I've been reading the posts here for 3 months and found it very helpful. It made me want to look for a CTD truck for myself. I've been reading on a flowerstroke and and duralax forums also and decided to get a dodge truck. The truck that I am going to look at is a '97 3500 clubcab drw. 2wd. IT is a SLT larime 12v longbox with 170k and original paint. We decided on it so we can put a 8-9.5 ft camper on the back,and enjoy life. It is suposed to be in verygood shape but I can't see it until Thursday. (6hrs away) I ran the vin through carfax, everything checked out OK except it didn't pass emissions testing in Ada County, Id. Starting in '04 it was pass...fail..pass fail...up to '06 when it changed hands and moved out of that area. Now it's up for sale because the people are moving to Mt and need a 4wd. My question is not passing a emissions inspection, a biggie to worry about? I believe it is stock but not sure? I can't wait to see it. I have only had a old vw rabbit diesel and loved that so this will be great.
Schmuly

 

A '97 12v is the only thing I'm fairly sure I'd like better than my '03.

I don't know a lot about 12V, but people turn screws for more power, and it would seen logical that turning the other way would clean up the exhaust?

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along.

Welcome from another newbie!

 

It shouldn't be, an older diesel like that will not pass even with all emmisions equipment installed as far as I know. I have never had one of my trucks pass and most states won't even test diesels cause they won't pass. I think the new 6.7s are the first diesels that will pass the test. And Dave that screw is the air/fuel mix. Turning it up lets more fuel thru and vice versa, however if you turn it down you will lose a lot of power. And turning it down won't clean it up, the truck will still fail.

 

They actually do a sniffer on it? Here in Washington all they do is an exhaust opacity test... mine passed with flying colors (the star wheel wasn't loosened yet then, and I don't know if it will pass again without tightening it back up).

 

It would be worth your time to inquire in your jurisdiction if diesel truck emissions testing is required. Get some idea about how stringent the test is and compare that to the failed test reports. Any 12 valve can be adjusted to pass the required tests, but you may not have the skill or the parts to swap in to get you there. Especially if a cat converter is required because it is factory equipment, but may be missing on your target truck.

 

I was traveling through the mountains 2 years ago with a 11.5' camper, came up behind a Ford with a 8, camper we where on a 8% climb. He seen me in his mirror and the black started pouring out of his tail pipe. So when the passing lane came up I passed him and when I went back into the slow lane I shifted into 5th gear. Ya I let a little bit of smoke out so he knew I went up a gear.
Left him quite far behind. A little latter the wife had to have a comfort stop, so the Ford got by me. Next hill I did it to him again. Ya know I was chuckling . We stopped again for some soft drinks, caught up to the guy again, I just didn't have it in me to do it to him again.

 

We have no emissions testing in our area, I was more concerned if the emissions failure meant equipment failure down the road. The truck is in Idaho and I live in rural BC Canada, so I have to import it into Canada. That is a good thought though, if I lived in Vancouver area I would have to get it tested.

 

I live in Ada County, Idaho and have to get mine smog checked. Its an Opacity test with a max of 40% The last time I had mine tested it failed so I went to a different place and it passed with a 2.7% The first place ended up having dirty optical sensors in their scaner. I hate having my emissions tested last year all i had to do was floor the pedal and let up. This year they had me red line it about 10 times and then they asked me to rev it higher. I laughed and said that ain't gonna happen

 

The infamous "Snap Test". I hate that although I don't think it really hurts the engine, just don't like doing it.

 

Welcome to DTR, E.F. Hutton!