I was all set to purchase a 98 12V but thought I may step up to the quieter 2003 3rd generation trucks. I don't know much about their virtures and shortcomings. I love the durability of the 12 valve but the family is looking for quiet. My questions to you experts are comparing the 2003 to a 1998 12 Valve:
1) How does the mileage compare?
2) Do the automatics hold up without engine mods?
3) Do the injector pumps hold up if the lift pump fails?
4) How do you modify these and how does the cost compare?
5) Do they have electronic glitches which happen often?


Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

ill do my best to answer ur questions..

1.the 12v's get better milage when u compare stock trucks. it's not out of the question to average 20mpg with a 12v if u drive normally with just a few mods. I'm doing 19mpg now with the mods in my sig (160 pump though)

2.My trucks auto was stock at 153k miles and all that was wrong was it had some tc shutter at full throttle, so they last quiete a while with minimal power mods and how u drive.

3.The injection pump on 12v's is mechanical so no electronic things to mess up and there pretty bulletproof. The lift pumps are cheap, but dont fail on the 12v's like they do on 24v's.

4.Cheap/free power is ur fuel plate, u can grind ur stock one to fuel alot harder. U can move ur AFC forward, and starwheel forward for more fuel. The 3gsk or 4gsk kit is also a must, it increases the rpm range for full fueling so u can rev ur engine out and still get full fuel without the govener defueling. Do a search for each thing and u'll find a ton of info to read on each thing. After those free/cheap mods, u can get a bigger turbo, injectors, Dv's (delivery valves), theres also internal mods to the pump u can do to fuel even harder. The list goes on and on just a matter of money after that.

5.The only electrical problems really, are things besides the engine like overheard display not working sometimes, and power windows not working sometimes, but the engine is very simple.

Of course a 3rd gen will be alot quieter and ride nicer, but people just tend to fall in love with the 12v's no matter. U can always dynamat the cab to quiete it down, i'm planning on doing that around my shifter and firewall.