Well, I ready to move to a 2nd gen. from my '92 First Generation.
Must have a manual transmission, few problems, easy to mod.
I tow about 14,000 lbs. of gooseneck stock trailer and cattle, so mods won't be that extensive.
Question is: What is the best year for me? Thanks.

 

I like short box extended cabs and I also like the 12 valve which is easy to mod. The only problem is that such a truck was only made for half a year

 

This is the one ya want 98.4 , Dont even look at my 02 any more still a good truck. Either ya want a 98 12v or an 01.5 - 02.

 

97 or 98. You will probably need a long bed for the gooseneck. The 98 has the quad cab (4 door).

 

97 for my money, they best year.

Good luck finding one.

 

Heard the best year where the trucks with the 215 pump.But there is no problem with the 160 and 180 pumps.My 95 will have both 215 injectors and 215 pump once I'm done.....Will see if any improvement...

 

I like the 98-Up interior, so 98.4 Quad Cab, and for me, it HAS to be a long bed.

Either that, or a LOADED 02 Patriot Blue, Sport, QC, LB, Auto!

I don't ask for much, do I
Chris

 

Stick with "last of the breed" and you'll be happy. That means either a 98.4 12V or a 01.5 24V

I love my 02 24V, but they started de-contenting the truck in the last year, and things like wheel well liners and hood insulation aren't on the truck as they are on 01.5s

Definitely gotta have the bigger brakes of the 01.5 and newer, imo..

 

Thanks, everyone for your advice. Looks I'll be shopping for a 97 or 98 3500 dually.

Being a 1st genner, I'm leary of too much computerized controls, but 1st gen parts are becoming scarce and more expensive, (as far as pumps are concerned).

 

1997

1997

1997

1997

 

Naturally, '97.

Not that im biased or anything...

 

My 97 is a good truck , but once you have the opening QC doors theres no going back , infact once ya have a 3rd gen with the full four doors, def no going bact to a 97. For a second gen as mentioned eariler 01.5 and up for the good brakes and the 6 speed. The 98 for the 12v and doors ,the h*ll with the brakes if ya find one of them , ya can deal with the mushy brakes for the 12v with the doors.

 

My 01.5 has wheel well liners but no hood insulation. If you go 24v, look for the 01.5's. The brakes are MUCH better than the drum rears, and they still have a CAD to disconnect the front axle in 2wd. If you want a 2wd, then it doesn't matter.

 

Wouldn't the final year of production of the generation/production run be the "best" truck?? At least in theory? I mean in the case of the 93 first gen, that vehicle should be the best built truck of that line as they incorporate the latest design and accessories in each successive model. But is it?
The 2nd gen trucks have both the 12 valve & 24 valve models so which ones should be the best there? The 98.5 truck and the 02?
Just a thought.....

 

In theory, yes. In practical application, no. Dies are worn, so fit and finish of parts starts to degrade. Plus, the companies know they are switching to all new product and don't want loads of extra parts around, so they start using up stocks, and ordering small batches to fill in where needed. Sometimes this leads to quality issues. Also, to maximize capital ready for the new production runs, some parts are eliminated like the rear cupholders, hood insulation, and wheel well liners. Just a few bucks per truck, and some of which are available for accessory purchase through the dealer, but saved thousands in the long run for the company. Also, look at what gets married together: I have heard of 12v blocks mated to 24valve heads, old and new timing covers used with various forms, interior pieces, fender sets, etc. even among 98.4 and 98.5's. In smaller econoboxes, my mother had a 1990 Geo Metro 5 door that had 1989 front sheet metal on it, and she bought it new. It had the older style headlights and bumper. She also had older engine and transaxle parts as well, marking hers as one of the first 1990 models made, using many left over 89 parts. I tend to prefer the 2nd to last year of a model for quality and design reasons, over the last run. I also prefer the 2nd or 3rd run of a new vehicle over first edition.