Supply and value of '89 to '93 Cummins trucks

[Gordon Maney]

At some point I would like to buy a first series truck from 1989 to 1993. There was a thread some time ago on which of them to buy, with some mixed opinions.

I live in the rust belt, so I am thinking the best thing I could do would be to look in rust free parts of the country. Are they more plentiful in certain parts of the US?

Also, and an important question, can you offer any thoughts on what fair values are for these trucks? How to decide what to pay?

I believe I would want a 4X4, manual transmission truck, and either 3/4 or 1-ton would be fine.

Thoughts on any of this?

Thank you...

 

[KOG]

You probably want a '92-'93. '91. 5 got the intercooler and 4 speed auto, but not the '92 computer etc.

Typical prices will probably be between $500 and $5000+ depending on condition and equipment. Be aware that you can get SRW 1Ts, but they're rare. They do avoid having to fool with duals and if you want larger tires on your 4X4 you probably don't want to hassle with duals.

 

[dpuckett]

Some would consider the 92-93 electronics a negative. I had issues with my 91s votage regulator, but overall, the fewer electronic dependent things, the better.



I got mine for $800, but hav eput $4000 into it.



DP

 

[Gordon Maney]

The 91. 5 is sounding appealing, given the lack of computer.

 

[1stgen4evr]

While there are lots of these truck in Texas ( think they caught on quicker there than other parts of the country), they are often pretty rough. Probably the best ones were bought to pull a camper and the owner died after a brief retirement and they have been sitting in a garage held by the widow woman because of her memories of the deceased. These can be 'like new' at very deminished prices. Don't ever forget that they are NOT new as time takes its toll.



James

 

[Leper]

I just paid 6K for my dually 1 ton(in Texas) and I think I got a good deal on it. By far the nicest one I saw. Clean, straight, perfect interior. 123K and an auto. The only one nicer that I have seen, went for 13K on Ebay a week ago. So yeah, there is a huge price range in there.

 

[Ncostello]

I've got a 91. 5 and love the lack of electronics. Being the LE... its got all the available features of the time like power mirrors and windows. Runs good, looks good... and easy to work on.

 

[KOG]

91. 5 does have a computer. And it's a slight oddball, doesn't have the code readout by key that most Chrysler has.

 

[JLEONARD]

At the end of the week there will be one less 89 in the world as what little is left of my donor (thanks rabbittree and Headshot) gets hauled away into oblivion.

 

[Niki]

I've been into these trucks for 7 years and every passing year it seems they get more expensive for nice ones, and way harder to find. I've never ran into one that ran too bad, but the body and interior is usually the first to go. Almost all of them have tailgate and door hinge issues, and the ones that still have the original paint are probably due for a repaint. The best way to get a good deal is to buy one from a non enthusiast that thinks its just another old truck, but every passing year more and more are taken off the road. Its really rare to see one in the midwest, the winters up here have taken care of them. I've owned a few where you can see the road through the floor while driving. The cleanest ones seem to be in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas, but those also have the most miles also.

 

[Simplysmn]

iF YOU ARE LOOKING for a nice crewcab there's one in the first gen classified area that I think is pretty nice and it's one of the last true crewcabs before they went to the one's they have now .



Val

 

[Ncostello]

My Ram D250 spent all of its life in Illinois before coming to me in Indiana. At 198K... the truck is in what I consider excellent condition for the age and miles.



The top of the cab is getting the "rust" along the front edge... but nothing bad that cant be fixed easily. And the lower door openings are getting some small holes from the debris thats been thrown on them over the years.



But the doors, floorboard, fenders and bed are very solid. Sometime soon I need to remove the bed, powerwash the frame and underside and get it to Ziebart for undercoating. This might prolong its life well into the 21st century!! Couple that with some minor body work and repaint... I'm all good. The OE paint is nice and glossy... but the minor bodywork needed will determine the need for a repaint.

 

[Niki]

My Ram D250 spent all of its life in Illinois before coming to me in Indiana. At 198K... the truck is in what I consider excellent condition for the age and miles.



The top of the cab is getting the "rust" along the front edge... but nothing bad that cant be fixed easily. And the lower door openings are getting some small holes from the debris thats been thrown on them over the years.



But the doors, floorboard, fenders and bed are very solid. Sometime soon I need to remove the bed, powerwash the frame and underside and get it to Ziebart for undercoating. This might prolong its life well into the 21st century!! Couple that with some minor body work and repaint... I'm all good. The OE paint is nice and glossy... but the minor bodywork needed will determine the need for a repaint.

For some reason, the 2wd Dodges, and gas first gens seem to get a lot less rusty. My first one was a 91 D250 and it was in near mint condition, original paint, etc and it was an IL truck its whole life.

 

[Gordon Maney]

91. 5 does have a computer. And it's a slight oddball, doesn't have the code readout by key that most Chrysler has.

So, if the 1991. 5 has a computer, is there any advantage to it. Are fewer functions computerized? Could this computer be harder to find in the future?

 

[Moab4x4]

My 92 was built in 9/91 and had the same electronics as my 93. The PCM can be rebuilt for a couple hundred or in a pinch the critical things can be made to not use the PCM. I too vote for 91. 5-93 5 sp 4x4 club cab like the sweetness post recently but look at the price it brought.