Common

I'm sorry man, but there is no way you have a 53 on your 97 unless you had an engine swap.

kas83

I wouldn't go as far as saying that. I've seen some pretty weird things on the 97-98 chageover trucks. My 97 is a 7/97 build date, and I know I have seen trucks with 9/97 build dates with the old style dash and that are titled as 97's. I also have seen an 8/97 build 98.0 12 valve. New interior and everything. Early build 98 12 valves and very late build 97's can have the 53 block if the 12 valve was indeed built using the block.

They had leftover 97 stuff, I doubt they would just toss the stuff. Hell, my boss has 12/99 build date 01 model. I wouldn't say there is no way on any of this stuff. I've seen it with my own eyes. Dodge does some wierd stuff.

Common

This will be the first confirmed '97 truck EVER with a 53.

2500

yep.. transitional years can result in unique combo's.

there was someone with a 98 12v short bed extend cab without little doors. almost all pre 98 CTD were long beds.

Common

Well now that I've been corrected - the best year is a real () 97 12v.

I still want visual proof - I think we've all been waiting on this truck for years.

renopker

Hands down 98 12 valve best of all the parts.

Dave Miller

I do have a 53 block on my 97. Its very easy to spot on the block. That is one of the first things I learned about when I got this truck. I am the 2nd owner. The first was from Texas and had 120K miles when I bought it.

I don't know if the engine was replaced but everything looks stock. Whether it came stock with a 53 block I guess I'll never know. The CPL sticker on the gear case looks stock...CPL 2175. I don't know where block casting numbers are but that might not help either to prove anything.

I'll try to get a pic for you guys.

2500

at first blush... that would appear to be true.. but when you dive in further. 98, 1/2 year engine had a number of features to itself.

look at size of 98 factory service manuals... it's double the size to cover all the changes.

97 got the hydro-boost brakes and 47RE later years got with all the bugs worked out.

if one has small children, those mini-doors are a lifesaver! my youngest boy was 12 when I got my 97 and he had no problems climbing over the front seat.

so it really gets back to individual needs. if it's someone main ride with small children. hands down 98 would be better. kinda of like short beds vs long beds.... depends on the person.

bottom line is both pre-97 and 98 are pretty much trouble free CTD models.

don't get me wrong.... 12v need maintenance like anything else. like wheel brgs, ball joints, alternators, starter, U-joints, AC compressor, water pumps, etc, etc, etc.

jeepeater2003

I gotchya. Sounds like most like the 12V around here.

I am looking at a 98.5 24V right now so wish me luck. Then ill get an airdog and an adrenalane....

xzaq103

Just make sure its not a 53. I would also check the fuel pressure before i bought it.

dweller

I vote '02.

dieselman2300

1997 12 valve I'm partial to!

ironbrew

Sorry. I just have to ask... what is the killer dowel pin? I have a 94, and have had a bit of work done, but nobody has mentioned a killer dowel pin... mind you, I don't hot it up much... it stands on its own pretty good.

Thanks

Cougsfan

Just do a search on "killer dowel pin", Ironbrew. You come across 100's of posts about a alignment dowel pin that has a not so small chance of falling out of the timing cover and wrecking the heck out of all your timing gears and timing gear cases. It has a relatively easy fix to prevent it from happening