i have been wanting a 12v with manual trans for a long time. i am very close to having my current truck paid off. i have been looking in the autotrader in my area and there are very little cummins to be had, therefore they are all bringing a high resale price. my questions are should i dump the 24 valve now while it has a new vp-44 and get a 12v manual that is getting harder and harder to find? i would like the 3500 with the nv4500, is the fifth gear nut that big of a issue? since there are no cummins around here for sale, would my 99 that just turned 225,000 miles bring around 16K? i never had a manual 12v or a dodge with the pre 98' interior, is there any problem with a 96 or 97 model dodge? thanks

 

If you don't mind going a distance to get a truck check out www.autorv.com.
Thats Indiana Auto and RV, it has listings for IN,IL,WI,MI,and OH. I've seen some pretty nice trucks come through it before. Good luck finding a 12v!
matt

 

i would in a second

 

I think 97 is the best year... earlier dash is better IMHO, you get the good pump, and hydraboost brakes.

if I didn't need a short bed, I would own a 97

 

AGREE completly

 

i like driving my 97 more than my 04

 

Good pump? What pump are you talking about that's different from a '98 12v?

 

Would I? In a heartbeat. I've had the newer engines and I don't like them one bit. Sure they're quiet, but they don't hold up as well as the older trucks.
Mechanical pumps hardly ever fail, compared to ......

 

If I was in the financial situation that I could afford selling my 03 and going with a say 97 12v, I would in a heartbeat. I loved the interior of my 97 gasser, and kinda grew used to it after a few years. The interior in my 03 is OK, not great though. I would love to have a truck without all these darn electronics on it

 

i agree. i like the older style dash. mine is cracked all over. the only thing wrong with the truck i have is the dash and some scatches and dents here and there. but there are literally not ctd's around my area, so i am confident i can get a good resale value on my truck. it runs very strong. i would like to find a 97 3500. i like hte long bed better with dual rear wheels. need 4x4 and would prefer manual. i guess i will start a thread in the second gen. drivetrain forum about the nv4500, since i do not know anything about them but the "fifth gear nut".

 

same pump... the good one... but you get a better dash w/ the 97, and the quad cab is a joke... can't sit anyone back there anyhow, so the doors are no reason to sway you... I'd rather have a club/short than a quad/short... lighter!