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Joe,
We have what they refer to as the "Holy Grail"of trucks in CA. The suicide door is a nice feature (if ever you can consider suicide a nice feature). The extended cab is on my 4 wheel drive 1998. No crap on the motors or additional programs to increase performance. Just a Cummings diesel you put the key in and run, and run, and run....

Bcoastal,

I am a "stock" type fellow and am aware of gear ratios. If you plan on using the truck as a daily driver you would be better off with a little more power than gearing down. You will notice the poorer mileage and the high RPM as you go the higher speeds.

My 1996 gets about 20 mph +- depending on type of driving. Towing a bit less. Around 16 mph or so my guess. The 1998 has the lower gear ratio and heavier with the 4 wheel drive and I get 14 mph whether towing or not. Does not feel the load. Get the higher geared diesel and you would be one happy camper. Do check on gearing, makes a lot of difference. Especially highway.

Depending on launching conditions, your call.The 4 wheel drive is nice but comes at a price. I am looking for an inline aftermarket overdrive for the 1998 to get better mileage when unladen.

Both my trucks are 1 tons with the heavier rear ends/etc... I heard that the 3/4 tons of the same vintage get superior fuel performance.

Garris