Hi everyone! I am new to the forum but am currently looking for a tow vehicle. I will be towing a 20' - 24' enclosed car trailer with a race car in it. The trailer is around 3400# and the race car is around 2500# plus incidentals (tires, radiator, tranny etc. etc. etc.). I have narrowed my decision to the following two trucks:

1: 1996-1998.5 12v 2500 4x4 Extended Cab (long or short bed)
2: 1998-1999 24v 2500 4x4 Extended Cab (long or short bed)

Things that are important to me (in order of importance) are:

1. Reliability
2. Maintenance Costs
3. Towing ability
4. Fuel Economy (STILL IMPORTANT!)

I plan to buy a stock truck and, if anything, get a Banks kit of some sort (MAYBE). Again reliability and maintenance costs (if something does break) are more important. 4x4 is required as I travel to Baja quite a bit for SCORE Racing so offroading ability (not too much) is needed). I am indifferent between stick and automatic but let me know what is better for towing. I won't really have a choice here as the market is fairly small for these trucks.

Thanks for any help you can provide and I look forward to joining the family!!!

Mark

 

I can comment on the Auto. I have a 95 12V Auto. Could not pass up on the deal. A couple of things I have learned. Pulling slower then 35 the tranny builds heat FAST! From reading several forums that is due to the TC being unlocked. The person I bought it from had it rebuilt and had a shift kit installed. It tows really good. My brother has a stock 24V 5 Speed SO. There are a few differnces in the ability to gain and maintain speed. This I feel is due to the transmission. I maintain and gain speed better from 50MPH - 60MPH. He maintains and gains better from 60 on up. We had a opertunity to test this going from Vernal, UT to SLC, UT. He could run circles around me at 60 plus. I could run circles around him when going 50 - 60.

Now that being said. I hate my auto, altho it tows really good. I am one of those guys tho that thinks they know how to manage RPMs better then something doing it for me. And my biggest bummer is the heat issue with the tranny. I am really worried about the heat in the tranny when towing on dirt roads. This will be fixed by upgradeing the tranny. The dirt roads I go on go from 4500' to 9000' in 20 miles or less. IMHO

 

If you get the 24V, keep a lift pump in the tool box you carry with you.

12V... Don't worry about it..

..PT..

 

Its all a matter of preference..


if you like electronic gizmos, the 24V has more of them CONTRARY to popular belief and experience the 12V has enough wires to drive you batty!! but nowhere near as much as a 24V... Lift pump is the main issue on the 24V and the fuel shutdown solenoid on the 12V which can go out but is nowhere near as common as a 24V lift pump goin out.

Both engines can be bombed as you already know 12V is cheaper to bomb and the 24v has slightly more contol in the adjustable boxes..

BANKS SYSTEMS.. not enough bang for the buck.. trust me i have a full on powerpack on my ride.. I have gotten off some banks parts and replaced them IE fuel plate... and have done some other upgrades to better improve the banks kit. IE remove and replace some parts. I suggest u look elsewhere at less expensive alternatives with a bigger effect for a 12V as in homeground plates, and injectors and turbos.. The 24V u just need to know what box u want, IE van aaken, edge, or whatever...

I have a manual and i love the way it pulls just watch out for that 5th gear on the 12V DO NOT TOW IN FIFTH ANYTHING UNDER 1800 RPMS!! its notorious for failiure although i cannot speak from experience.. I love my manual i cannot testify for an auto, it just pulls well, u got more control and power to ground feel... in other words.. sweet...

Best of luck in ur truck quest

Tx

 

Mark,
I've heard good and bad about both trucks. I don't have a 12v, so I can't comment on that. I tow a 10,000lb fifthwheel with my truck and haven't had any trouble yet! But I do have guages and I keep a constant watch on my fuel pressure guage. I have friends who have lost their lift pumps then their vp44's under 50,000 miles. I only have 37,000 on mine and all is well so far. Fuel milage when towing for me average between 15 and 16 miles a gallon. One word of caution, on the 24v check the engine block,drivers side below big wiring harrenss and make sure there isn't a 53 stamped on the block. These blocks seem to crack when towing!!! I personally wouldn't buy 1998.5 - 2001.5 with 53 stamped on the block. You can search this site and in the performance section and find links about block 53. Do some research and good luck, I luv my truck

if you haven't purchased I'll try to find link about block 53

Gary