Newbie Looking for a Truck: a couple questions...

[vegburner]

Hi Guys

I was in the trucks for sale classifieds forum and for some reason I can't do a posting there until I have 25 posts...
Anyway time to get rid of my old Ford and I am looking for a 12V with an extended cab, 5 speed and 8' bed.
I'm not sure what all I should be looking for or asking about. I am wanting a truck that's been well taken care of.
I'm not sure how much mileage should factor into what I am looking for. I have $8K to spend, could come up with $9K for a great truck. I am in Northern California but would be willing to travel, again for the right truck. I have a preference for CA, TX, AZ, NV, NM, UT vehicles. If anyone knows of a great truck in their area I'd love to hear about it. (I'd be willing to offer a $200 finder's fee to help find me a good truck.)
I had a couple of questions: What is the difference between a quad cab & an extended cab? What is a short bed vs. a long bed? Is there a regular bed?
What are the things I should be looking for or looking out for in a truck?
I have heard that the 5 speeds trannys are more durable - true?

Thanks guys for any help you might offer, and Merry Christmas to all.

Jeff

[NukleusX]

On 2nd gens, Quad cab is 2 front doors, and 2 back doors that open suicide door style. Extended cab looks exactly like the Quad cab (maybe a little shorter cab, not sure) but only the front doors open (to my knowledge at least).

The extended cab is what you'd be getting with a 94-98 12v, as I am pretty sure the quad cab replaced the extended when the 24v came out.

Guys chime in and let me know if my first gen self is right in what I have said here.

[tatoocummins97]

there is no real reg. bed short bed is Nice with a quad or x-cab easer for getting around town but good luck finding a five spd in good cond. some areas they are hard to find. long beds however are also nice if you decide to put in a tool box or something that takes up bed space... happy hunting

[Trapper]

I think 98 first half of the year were 12 V in the quad cab, kinda hard to find, I have sen a few dodges around here, Look up TrucksOnly.com, I know 12valve from Mexico has good luck in finding his trucks, but I don't know where he finds them up here in the US?

[NukleusX]

Originally Posted by Trapper

12valve from Mexico

Now that guy has a lot of trucks. His pictures look like a used car lot!

[MGarland]

Quad cab =4 doors, 2 normal front doors and 2 little suicide doors an the extended cab.
Extended cab = 2 normal front doors and you have to climb over the front seats to get in the rear seat of the truck.
Short bed is 6' in length
Long bed is 8' in lenght
Things to look for are, service records, KDP fixed,normal wear and tear
The 5-speeds are a little more durable in stock compared to the auto's, but if you are going to make much more power than stock you are going to need a good clutch or a performance built auto.
Mark

[illflem]

What I've noticed in the past couple of years is that 12 valves are getting harder and harder to find. The people who trade in have about finished and what's left are folks who aren't parting with them.

Dave Smith Motors near me in Idaho claims to sell more Dodge trucks than any dealer in the US. They used to always have some 12 valves for sale but I haven't seen any for months even though they currently have over 60 used Rams on their lot.

I think it's getting to the point with 12 valves that you might have to settle for what you can get rather than what you want.

[NukleusX]

I will have to agree with illflem on the "you might have to settle for what you can get" part. I know for one, here in the somewhat near future I will be in the market for a 12v, and I really dont care what I can get as I have already found that they are getting quite rare. I will likely go for whatever 4x4 12v I can find, and be happy with the cab, bed, SRW, DRW, whatever it is, just based on knowing they are on thier way out

[MGarland]

If you spend a little time on the web and in your local for sale papers you can still find them. Don't be afraid to travel to look at them and don't be afraid to walk away from one either. I have bought trucks all over the southern and southwestern part of the US and I have had good luck with them. If you find one that you are interested in make the seller E-mail you lots of close up pics and some maint. records. Always go with your gut feeling and if something doesn't feel right just walk away. The truck in my sig. was bought in southeastern Tenn.
Mark

[Trapper]

You can always find a 12v motor and put it in anything you want, I have one in my Ford, best mod yet.

[oldsmokey94]

i have 2 of them and dont plan on ever letting them go.
yep. they are getting harder and harder to find.

Lance

[9812VCTD]

When I seen my 98 12V on the lot I instantly pulled over and bought it! Luckily it was even a fully loaded one!!:thumbsup They are great trucks I'm glad I found this one.
Justin