need advice which one, 2nd gen 12v,24v,or early 3 gen

im in the market for a truck to upgrade from my current 93 club cab 4x4 cummins 5 speed

looking for advice
which would be the best choice
truck must be a rust free ext cab long bed 5 or 6 speed

12v 2nd gen I realize it wont have the rear doors but is it worth if for the 12 v reliability

24 v I realize the vp problems

or should I look for a 3003 or early 2004 3rd gen

which would you guys choose , thanks for the info

 

I don't how much help I can be as I've only driven a 3rd gen 24v. I have never had any problems with it and have put 71,000 miles on it.

 

3rd Gen

 

3rd gen and the common rail engines are dependable

 

I can only comment on my truck, which I bought new in Feb 06. It now has 152K miles on it and not one engine related problem have I had (knocking on wood!)

Good luck with whatever you decide and keep in mind that when buying used you don't always know what you are getting.

 

search is over , bought a real clean 03 6 speed ,quad cab longbed,4x4,
thanks for all the input from everyone, joel

 

Is your 04.5 a CTD? How's it been? I had a 97 5 spd turned up to 800+ tq for 9 years... was the best vehicle I ever had. I got this 03 and I was sorry to see the 97 go but I didn't need 2 trucks. I got the 03 to tow better than the 97 but it's been hard to match the overall drivability of the 12v.
I've had to replace the tps on the 03 and the AC dampers are broken. Not huge things but that's the way things are getting with the later electric/electronics. I'm still glad I have the 03 and not any of the new diesels.
I think you will like yours! Craig

 

the 04.5 has been a good truck I just wish I had bought a 04 when I bought it new , I had the choice of either, , no real problems but it only has 21k miles on it , I have kept it perfect since new , changed the gears from 4.10
to 3.42 and I love the 3.42 gears with the 6 speed, I also put freespin hubs on it, its like driving a new truck everytime I take it out,

the electronic motors just don't have the feel of the 12 valves ,I have my 93 up for sale and I am going to miss it,

I plan on putting freespin hubs on the 03 I just bought its a rust free texas truck , I think ill get a smarty jr for it also , I hope the 03 is as good a truck as the 93 has been .