Ok, I am looking to get another truck to use for work (and play) right now I am using my 91' in my signature but since it has close to 350k on it things break once and a while and I need another truck so I can use the 91' as a back up. I tow 10-12k 5 days a week roughly about 600 miles a week so the truck gets worked.
Originally I wanted a 98 12 valve quad cab auto and I am still leaning that way, my question is, if I find a 98.5-02 24v for a good price is the 12v really worth it? (sometimes they can be pricey if the seller knows how rare they are!)
The other question I have is auto or manual, I love my 5 speed, and don't mind the shifting, but on one hand a built auto will always be quicker, but the auto will need either replaced or modified before the mods begin with all the towing I do, where as I could mod some before needing to upgrade the clutch on the manual. If I do go auto how much am I looking at for a whole built tranny? I know a DTT runs about $4k at least it says so on their site I don't know where else to look and I imagine they are all in the same price range.
I see pros and cons no matter which way I go, I guess I am just looking for ya'll to give me a few more pros and cons that I am missing. As far as what I want out of whatever truck I get power wise, my 91 makes around 750tq or so, so I would like at least 750-1000tq, not all at once but gradually. So ya'll can take that into mind as well for what tranny would suit me best and which motor 12 or 24v.

EDIT** One last question, what is the difference between a 180 and a 215 pump on the 12v's, I know obviously the hp but when it comes to mods is one better than the other and you can get more out of the 215?

Thanks in advance!
Chris

 

Go with a 98 12v with an auto it is worth it in the long run.(your leg will thank you) As far as the trans I would not recommend DTT I spent over 5K with them and they never made my tranny right call Jeff Garmon in Griffin GA It will save you headaches and money.

 

if ur towing alot, the 5spd can be pretty nice. It's just unloaded city driving gets alittle annoying with the 5spd. I'd say get a 12v, but thats just my experience.

 

If you're towing 10-12k 5 days a week, the 5 or 6spd with an exhaust brake is the ultimate setup. If you go auto you will eat brakes like crazy, you can put an exhuast brake on those too, but you have to add a bunch of extras like a converter lockup controller and a fluid pressurelock kit just so the tranny works for towing...and it's still never as good and positive as just having a manual trans. Now if you're gonna race it or get into stoplight wars, then my recommendation will change.

The hydroboost brakes on the 97 and up trucks are way better than the 94-96, and the late 01 and 02 trucks have rear disc brakes that are even better.

Nothing wrong with DTT, great company, Bill is the innovator and still makes a great product. I have a DTT in my 95 and have not had any lick of problems.

 

I drive a 5 speed, and my leg isn't complaining.

 

If you tow get the 5spd. I would get a 97 (which I have) has all the bugs worked out of the and has the old (better) interior than the newer interior. Also, the 98.5-00 could have the "53" block, which has some problems cracking.
Just my opinion.

 

As for the auto vs. manual problem, I don't mind the shifting at all and am used to it, trust me I do alot of it now towing in 10-12% grades all the time, the only advantage to an auto that I see is when I am unhooked from the trailer and want to mess around it is alot faster, but it comes with a price of a high dollar tranny before I can start modding.
As for the 53 block that is one of the first things I ask when I call about a truck.
I was reading somewhere on here that alot of the 98 12v had 53 blocks but nobody has had problems with them cracking, anybody know anymore about that?

Thanks everybody for all the feedback and keep it coming
Chris

 

(Mike R) if Bill at DTT is so great call him up and tell him to mail me a check for the 5K plus I gave him for a tranny that never worked and tell Stephen(the guy that answers the phone) at DTT, I said hi Ken Mclacklan Orlando Fla. Also dealing with them if u have a problem like if you get ripped off is a pain when they r in a different country.