horselady

i sold my 06, there were a few things I never liked about it. the guy that bought it had to sell his truck to get it, so we traded trucks. I now have a 97 ext cab, long bed, 4x4 12v auto slt. 108k Already replaced the wheels/tires, changing all oil/filters. trans looked clean so I'm hoping the trans would be ok to upgrade the torque convertor and valve body. I hate how it shifts till it hits O/D. the same complaint I have read on this forum from every other 97 owner. replaced one tie rod, otherwise front end seems OK, most of the slop in the steering was due to the hub to spindle bolts being loose. And he drove it from Kentucky that way! Did he ever wonder why it wandered over the road so badly?? ball joints and head gasket already done. Also anybody know where I can get the OEM seat covers?? it was getting worn, so he had it re-done in vinyl. YUK! Still have some going through it to do, belts, hoses, etc, then save for the trans upgrades (if you guys don't think i would be wasting my money with the mileage on the truck) the the basic pump mods I have been reading about, this is my first 12 valve, I was very happy to read how many of you prefer the 12 v over the newer engines. I know I like the truck better over all, the styling, visability, and that freedom to put money into making it the way I want instead of putting that money into a payment to try and keep up with the depreciation. this truck will be used for pulling horses and a little hot rodding, no sled pulls or drag racing. If I can get it up to the power i had in the new one, i'll be happy. it does already have a 4" exhaust, no muffler, and a K/N in the factory box which i know from reading this forum needs to go. Already have guages, so the prior owner just got it ready to make some real power!!! Here are a few pics, how do these 18s look???

Clayten

Well now you have a real truck. I just bought these seat covers and they fit very good.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-9...spagenameZWDVW
The OEM seat covers are very expensive.

Truckman0097

There aren't too many Truck/Car forums you will see a post like this, someone trading to a 9 year older model..... Gotta love Cummins....

Bersaglieri

Traded my 2003 Duramax for a 1997 Cummins. Way to move up.

-Dustin-

dieselman2300

Your going to love it!
As for the trans. give Goerend transmission a call. Dave will set you up and tell you what he thinks you need.

Buckshotram

Oem seat covers are exspensive. I got a set of Cabela's Trail Gear seat covers they fit extremely well, Ive been very pleased with them unlike other universal fit covers these have plenty of tiedowns and they stay put on the seat which is really nice I think they were $60 for 2.

tbarbee1

Way to go I have an 03 and an 07 but I'm rebuilding my 97 right now in order to get rid of one of the newer ones. You wont regret it. Let the mods begin!!!

rconkin

You all make me feel so fortunate to have my 97. We had a couple come in our office looking to add more cabinets to a house that we had provided the cabinets on. We started talking and I found out that they had moved here from Florida and lived in their fifth wheel for four months while the house was built. They said that they were going to sell their camper as they thought it would be a while before they would want to camp after living in it. I asked him if he had a truck and if he was going to sell it. It was a 97 2500 CTD, extended cab, 97k miles, Laramie SLT and was originally owned by an older man who had moved from CA to FL. He even had the log book the previous owner wrote down everything that he did to the truck including every time he bought fuel. He told me what he wanted for it so I looked it up on Kelley Blue Book after they left and he was 3k under private sell value. I talked to my wife, we went and looked at it, then I went back on June 21st and bought the truck. I couldn't believe how clean it was. The interior was spotless as well as under the hood. The guy was actually apologizing about some dust on the engine since he had not had a chance to clean it lately. As you can probably tell, I still grin ear to ear every time I crank her up.

strokerace

Congrats on the new 12v, When I bought my 95' it was very clean with all the records and it was owned by an older gentleman who hauled horses with it. I had to drive over 700 miles to get it but hey its a 12v and its worth every penny, they just dont make em like they used to. I saw some seat covers on ebay that some guy made up exactly for your truck when you ordered them, they are supposed to fit perfectly and were $45 for a full bench like mine has plus like $8 shipping, his stores name was exactseatcovers, I will be ordering a set for mine soon I'll let ya know how they work out. Congrats on the truck

Red3quarter

I've also been thinking of going to a 12v and selling the 2002 24v. Found a nice 95 near me in the classifieds on this site that I'm wanting to look at.

Truckman0097

I would love to have a 95 - 97 12 valve manual as a second truck.... congrats on the swap.....

Fred Swanson

Not a bad decision at all. I sold an 03 to get a 93, then a 98, and now building a 3rd one. Gotta love the 12V's.

PaulDaisy

Sweet! I think it is a great deal. Not to say that 3rd gens are *bad* but I personally would rather have a second gen and no payments! Wait, that's what I got
Congratulations! I think the 2nd gens are the best looking 3/4 and 1 tons on the road. Besides, a 12V! I love them. In fact, after having my 24V for a year I am now talking to my wife that I want another one. She is resisting so far but less vigorously that I anticipated. Once I pay off my travel trailer (another year?) I will be looking for a 2002 very seriously, unless a 98.0 comes across with 15,000 miles and for $5,000
-P

xtoyz17

You probably made the best decision you'll ever make. Now, if you read my sig you'll laugh at me. BUT I'll be like you soon, sorta. I love my truck, but the motor is going to get p-pumped so it'll be like a 97, but newer

Let me be the first to say you're ridiculous for thinking that 108k miles MIGHT be too much to start putting money in the truck. If you were to even spend only about 1k dollars (torque converted and VB, maybe more if you want a good triple disc), your truck would become nearly bullet proof for quite some time.

For what it's worth, the styling might not be as new but you're going to get better mileage, more reliable, and more power per dollar if you start modding.

The front end issues are NOTHING compared to the money us 24v (vp and cr included) spend on repairs SOME times. Though, us VP guys have the same front end issues as well.

I think you made a great decision and you'll soon realize just how GOOD of a deal you really made provided you got some decent money or what not to cover what your truck was worth.

Sunir

I was thinking of selling my '01 to get a 12V '97-'98, even put up a post about it asking what most folks would think about this sorta move. At the end of the day though the responses to keep the 24V were overwhelming and thinking about it as well, my '01 has very low miles and I got a real good deal on it...heck it runs great and is in fantastic shape ...great brakes, tight suspension, nice interior, clean, and good road manners for a daily driver are all points that I like about my 24V 2nd gen.

interestingly enough several folks pointed out some good reasoning, like with an older truck more chances that you'll have higher miles & more wear and tear you'll need to bring up to snuff, so although the 12V is a great engine all of the truck gens have their issues, and so long as you're driving something that's working well (the entire truck not just the engine) that's a good thing. lol!

Heck if ever I really want a 12V engine down the road I can always swap one in, or better yet get one as a second truck if I can, but with a manual tranny to change things up a bit