I have a 1998 12 valve quad cab short bed that I have owned for 6 years and I love it. I'm trying to decide if I should buy something else or spend a lot fixing it up. Issues I have to fix are: paint is starting to get thin and I can see bare metal on roof, front bumper plastics, dash is in 5 pieces, front seats are shot, floor carpet is bad.
Another concern of mine is my kids are getting cramped and I'm worried that if I get rear ended their heads will hit the glass because there are no head rests on the rear bench.
I was considering buying a 2003 dodge 4 door and putting my 12 valve in it or destroking a F250 or F350.

 

If you have the time and place to do it, I would destroke the F250/350.......

Best of all worlds.

 

A dream truck right there: 1997 F-350 Crew Cab with a 12 V Cummins in it and a 6-speed!