A good friend of mine at work wants to buy a used CTD for around $10,000.
Which year models are the best regarding fuel mileage and reliability? Also which models have problems such as lift pumps and dowel pins?

Thanks Rooster

 

97 12v seems to have most votes as the best year. last year of 12v before going to four door ext cab. all the bugs were worked out. last year of non 53 block.

98 was a transition year and had 12v to mid year. some say 98 12v 4x 5sp ext cab, long bed, non 53 block is the most desirable model of all.

98.5 to 2002 (24valve) has lift pump/VP44 electronic injection pump issues. some are going trouble free, some are having multiple lift-pump failures. this could lead to VP44 failure and set you back several thousand $$.

12v motors seems to get the nod as way more durable. but loads of folks have driven 500k+ trouble free miles with 24v.

general weakness of all CTD seems to be transmissions holding up to cummins. loads of vendors offering beefed up torque converters, valve bodies etc.

12v models has the KDP or diller dowel pin issue. this can be fixed fairly easily (depending upon your wrenching skills)

do a search... there's been several threads on this same topic

 

Well said, 2500! A 12-valve 2nd gen is the best choice in his price range. If he needs to actually use the back seat for passengers I'd look for the early '98 QC. However, if it's just the driver using the truck then a '97 would be easier to find.

If his budget was upwards of $25k, I would have suggested a late-'03 or early-'04 3rd gen for better creature comforts.

 

I used to subscribe to that logic until I spent a week with hunting guide who had a Club Cab CTD and found I had no issues getting in and out. The Quad Cab doors offer a minor bit of convenience and ease of access to the back seat, but I think it tends to be greatly exagerrated. I have no problems entering, exiting, or accessing items in the rear seat of the Club Cab I have bought since that hunting trip years ago. None of my kids have any problems, either. Even my 3yo just climbs in, get in her seat, and buckles herself up. About the only time I could see a Quad Cab being truly beneficial is if using a rear facing infant seat or maybe if someone is morbidly obese of something. In all honesty, if back seat access is that critical, you would be far better off just biting the bullet and moving up to a 3rd Gen QC with real back doors.

When I first considered a CTD I went along with the herd mentality that a 98 12v and Quad Cab combo would be ideal. But after actually riding in a Club Cab and then subsequently reading about how the 98 12valve trucks have issues unique to the half year model, I no longer considered them worth the premium they tend to command and expanded my search to include any 2nd Gen 12v extended length cab. And don't get me wrong, I would still take a 98 QC 12v at a price competitive with with other 2nd Gen 12v extended length cab trucks, but no way would I pay what I see most of them priced for. At least in my region, it is extremely unlikely to find a clean 98 for $10,000.

I would say that overall, the 97 is the best year as well. They have the more powerful IPs, hydroboost brakes, and are the most likely 2nd Gen 12v trucks to have various bugs worked out.

That having been said, I don't think that any of 2nd Gen 12v trucks are bad trucks. Some might need few more tweaks than others, but they are all decent trucks. I would focus more of the condition of the truck itself than a given year. I'd rather have a clean, low mileage 95 than a ragged out 97 or 98. I just happened to find a clean 97 at a great price.

 

I guess I'm part of the "herd" then. I looked at club cabs and they just didn't meet my needs.

Care to elaborate about the 98 12valve trucks have issues unique to the half year model?

 

Out of curiosity, what would those needs be? I just can't imagine a QC being much more beneficial than a CC. My brother has an 01 QC, and the difference in acessibility between it and my CC seems so small it's barely worth mentioning.

Here is the thread that really swayed me. Some unbiased feedback from a couple of 98 owners and a diesel tech at a very well resepected diesel performance shop.

http://www.nwbombers.com/forum/index...opic=25746&hl=

 

Everyone's needs are different, so maybe that's why they make different cab configurations. In my case, in addition to finding that the QC is easier to get my two kids in and out of, I also haul a 40# bag of hand tools for work and find it's much easier to get out of the back of a QC. Plus, I used to own a 1st gen club cab and didn't like access to the back of that. Just my opinion.

As for the problems you listed with '98 12-valves, I'll take my chances.

 

Fair enough. I also have 2 kids left at home and haul a fairly large, heavy work bag with all my railroad gear in it as well and have no issue with the CC. To each their own.

I can agree that the QC does offer a minor improvement, I just find if difficult to justify for anywhere near the typical price difference between an otherwise similar 97 CC, especially when the 98 comes with potential additional issues.

I would have gone straight to a 3rd Gen had I needed anything more. To me the physical size of the cab is the limiting factor, not a lack of small suicide doors.

As do we all. Just presenting some open, unbiased discussion about the subject for someone considering a 2nd Gen 12v.

 

holy cow!!! had no idea 98 12v had all those gremblins...

sure glad I ended up with a 97. been keeping an eye open for a low mileage 98 12v 5sp, but not anymore.

keeping mine 97!!!

 

I had a VERY clean and perfectly straight 97 5sp 3/4T and sold it last summer for $10k. I fixed the kdp and 5th gear and then it was bulletproof - I loved that truck! It also had a stronger, quieter body than my 03. 01.5 was the first 4w disc brakes. I know of several 00-02 24v's that still have the stock injection pump and some with the stock lift pump. Craig