24V vs. 12V

Rob D

Rob D

Get R' Done
Joined
Mar 10, 2007
Messages
421
Ok guys,

I'm thinking about buying a house and in order to do so would have to sell my 06 F350 and buy something less expensive. I am interested in switching over to Dodge, the Ford was my first diesel experience and I am in no means brand loyal. Seems like after being in the diesel world for a year or so that you guys are making the most power....what is the best motor/tranny combo to go with.
 
tell us what you ultimate goals are...what you do with the truck, etc

most guys are gonna say 12v all the way, but a mildly modded 24v with the right fuel pump mods to prevent injection pump death can be a really sweet daily driver with no smoke and good mileage then turn it up to have a nice street toy.
 
Completely depends on your budget.

The newest 12 valve you can get is a 98. So, your buying a 10 year old vehicle with 10 year old vehicle problems, at best. But, the engine is incredible and you will have a great platform to build from. You can also build power much cheaper then on a 24v.

With the 24 valves, you will be getting a newer vehicle with hopefully less problems. But, you still run the risk of a bad VP pump.. That is a costly fix, usually around $1500.

If you intend to race, get an automatic. For nearly everything else, the manual is the better transmission... Just as long as you don't mind shifting your own. A clutch is much, much cheaper then a full auto rebuild (which you will need.. Even at stock levels, the automatics just arn't worth much). There are a few known 5th gear problems on the NV4500 trucks. (the 5-speeds). But, there are problems with any make and model..

If you want cheap and simple, get the 12v. They are getting much fewer and farther between, but there are still some nice trucks out there!
 
My goals are to have a mean street truck. I do not plan on pulling with it. It will be my daily driver and maybe see some 1/4 mile runs every now and then. Nothing has given me more pleasure than pulling up to stiffs in their suit cars and smoking them in a full size truck. I want the best block to build from because I really do not know where I will be financially in the next five years...but if I have the money to build a superbeast then I will want to have the strongest base to build from. Regarding the transmission - I not mind shifting - I have had a manual vehicle up to buying the Ford. Was it an option to get the 6 spd from the 3500s in 2500s...what is the max mileage ya'll think I should be worried about buying used? Thanks
 
Diesel engines are like golf scores and hernia surgeries....the lower your number the better off you are. You know......12V/24V......6.0/5.9......:blahblah1:

Seriously, though, MD's got it right. 12V's have the KDP and 24V's have the lift pump and the "53" block problems.

Either way you'll be happy.

Scott
 
The auto's in these trucks are pretty stout actually. Mine held 496hp with just a valve body. You just gotta know how to drive them to make them last. With that said, if your going crazy power and plan on beating on them, your gonna have to build it and it is expensive. But it's so worth it.

The 24v is a good motor but unless you wanna play with nitrous your not gonna go much over 600-650hp on one. The injection pumps suck though. I replaced mine 9 months ago and I'm looking at changing it out again and it's had good fuel pressure to it the entire time. On the other hand, my stocker lasted 120k and ran negative pressure for a while and had the wire tapped on it for 100k and was running great when I pulled it off.
 
You know..... a common rail cummins is pretty sweet. Don't rule that out.
I know you asked 12v vs. 24v, but the common rail is a 24v so I don't think I'm out of line. These engines can make some very respectable power with very few mods.
 
The common rail is another great option. Just depends on how much you like electronics.

Lets put it this way.

If you buy a 24v (VP truck) plan on all of the following. If it turns out you don't have to do all of em, then good on you. But if you plan ahead, it will save you a ton of heartache later.

1: Rebuild the front end. New ball joints. New track-bar end. New tie rod ends. I would look at a DSS or other steering stabalizers.

2: Plan on replacing the lift pump (stock around $150, aftermarket up to and exceeding $600).

3: Get a new fuel pressure gauge to keep an eye on your fuel pressure. This is every bit as important as an EGT gauge on the 24v.

4: Money for the transmission. If it is a 5-speed, plan for a clutch and 5th gear fix. If it is a 6-speed, plan for a clutch. If it is an automatic, plan for at least a valve body, probably a torque converter.

Then you can start to worry about building additional power.

If you get a 12v, plan on the following:

1: Rebuilding the entire front end... Its a trend.

2: KDP Fix (killer dowel pin). A pin behind the front cover that can work itself loose. Causes major mechanical and emotional damage.

3: Transmission money. You won't find any 12v 6-speeds, unless they were a swap.


For a mean street truck, I like the 24v a lot more. The absolute best part about the 24v is that you can go from 500-550 to 300-350 with the push of a button. With a 12v, you have to moderate with your right foot. When towing, its nice to be able to turn it down and not baby the EGT gauge.
 
i vote the 24v if it's your daily driver like lucky said being able to flip a switch and detune is nice on a DD
 
On the street a 24V that is turned up can be the schizzle, cruise along, nice and clean out the pipe, flick a switch or two and you can stomp something a truck really, really shouldn't LOL


MD has pointed out all of the common problem areas inherent with these trucks, they are there, just have to watch for them.

Personally? If I were in the market for a used Dodge diesel I would look at an 03 model with the CR engine, crazy power is just a plug and play away with a lot more controllability than the 12V or VP equipped 24V. I love my truck, and with 200k on the stock IP I really can't complain. One more thing, wanna go fast? Get an auto, off the line a weak subaru will smoke you :bang now that's IF you don't abuse the clutch :evil
 
Don't forget that any 2nd gen dodge is gonna have front end issues. Especially 4x4's. They are just a crummy design. The tranny issues also stem back to the 12v's as well so don't blame the 24v's for those either.
 
I would look at 2001.5-2002 24v with Disc brakes all the way around. And get the Auto because they are faster and the SO injector pump is capable of more power. These trucks need fuel pressure for the VP44 Injector pump survive so you'll need a great lift pump. After that make sure you have a good TQ convertor and Valve body. These trucks can be had for 15-18k and then you can put 2k into them and have a very fun to drive DD.

FYI; Quadzilla just came out with a new Box called Adrenaline that is going to make these trucks much more desireable and fun to drive.
 
Hey guys...

I am going to be keeping the Ford. I have decided against buying the house this year...I really appreciate all the information you guys provided though and hope it will help out other guys interested in these generations too.
 
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