My friend has an early 98 and has the outside temp guage. I will verify his build date.

In regards to tire scrubbing....after the transfer case change I have no noticable notice, shuddering, or scrubbing of the tires. My friend also had his transfer case change becuase of a slight scrubbing (mine was more noticable). We go to different dealers and had no issues with getting them to change the transfer case.

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1990 300CE-24
2003 SLK230 (Sport - 6spd)
1995 Ford Thunderbird