Im looking to get a club cab with suicide doors. What Im reading is the 12v
is more reliable than 24v. Im not looking for huge power.. enough to pull grades and freeway merging. But the suicide doors are a must for access. Also 2wd for commuting. I wont be towing anything heavy except maybe motorcycle trailer.

My question is are the 12v that much more reliable and can I get one with back doors for access or do I need to go with a later model?

 

Early 98 is the last of the 12v motor, and the first of the new body style. It is considered the "holy grail" of the 12 valve models. I have one, and love it. The rear doors are essential for the kid and dog. The 12 valve is simple and reliable. The front suspension on the 4wd is the only downfall. Expect to pay a premium price for the 6 month only truck.

 

Yeah, there was about 4 months or so in 1998 when you could get the suicide doors with a 12v. Not that terribly many of them out there, so they're a little harder to find and like esde said, expect to pay a premium for one in good shape.

 

If you can live with the long bed, it will be much easier to find, and 2WD will negate much of the premium placed on the short run date.

Now if you were looking for a 4X4 12 valve Quad shortbed......

 

Looking on the west coast craigslist Im seeing a few 4WD but no 2WD.
Im thinking I want 2WD because its lower, less front end to go wrong.
You guys think 2WD mpg is that much better than 4WD?
Besides I have a 3500 4WD for carefree hauling and dirty work.

 

I wish mine was a long bed.

 

And I'm glad mine IS a SHORT bed! haha

 

I personally don't think the MPG is that much different, but the maintenance is.

I wouldn't mind having a 2WD for summer use........

 

Did they make any 4wd quad cab, long bed 12 valves? The only ones I've seen have been shortbed. As for the 4wd, I find it essential for moving my trailer on loose ground, I can't imagine that it changes milage very much if at all.

 

Yep, back before I found out I much preferred the 94-97 trucks, I wanted the grail truck like everyone else.

Found all kinds of long bed quad cabs, no short beds. Actually turned out well, because the 98's are weird enough to keep me away ( part year this, etc...)

 

Proud owner of a weird '98 12v!

 

me too!

 

There was a 98.5 QC LB 4X4 12 valve around here a while back asking $16,000. It had over 300,000 miles on it and looked "road weary".

It did sell though, just don't know how much.

 

A 98.5 12v? I thought they quit making them in April or May of 98?

 

Correct 98 was an emission year.

Pre Jan 1 you got a 98 12V
Post Jan 1 you got a 98 24V