Possibly going to a 1st Gen dodge

[VolsFan]

Got a few guys serious on my 99, figured if I can get it gone for $10k thats not too bad, just want it gone before I start feeling all regretful, a lot of memories in the old girl. Anyways, was wanting to get an 01-05 for the better/bigger brakes,4 whel disc, and rotors that are not pressed into the hub, and a NV5600. I have always liked the looks of the 1st gen trucks though. It sure would be nice to have a truck with front leafs and no track bars to fool around with. and lock out hubs. More I think about it,not really wanting to start all over again on another 2nd gen truck, my truck drives beautifully, just want to a manual trans. If my truck sells here soon, been looking at a 93 w250 thats has a NV4500, new paint, rims/tires,tons of new parts, thing looks brand new, just a tough looking truck, beautifully simple. Its $16k though, not sure how much barter room is there, but what are things I need to look for on these first gens?

 

[jgillott]

OK, 20 years ago I had a '92 W250. Very nice truck at the time and still miss it every once in a while for the very same reason you mentioned, simplicity. Now with that said, I have a feeling that after the initial fun of a different truck wears off, you are going to be feeling the regret you are afraid of.

When I read the post you put up a few weeks ago about wanting to sell your '99 to get in to a slightly newer truck, I mentioned how nice I thought your '99 was. If you were going in to a newer truck with the refinements that you were after, I could see how you could justify it. But having owned one of each generation now, I can honestly say that that '93 will ride rough, make much more noise, stop worse, and tow less compared to your '99. Not to mention that some parts are now becoming a little difficult to find easily.

Please don't get me wrong, I loved my '92 and I mean no offense to anyone that still owns one. But I woudn't go back to one now as a daily driven truck, especially for $16K.

 

[DNDracing]

I have the trucks in my sig. I agree, i like the square tough look of the 1st gen and think about getting a 4x4 as a daily driver. I do love the 1st gen truck, but would agree with jgilliot, it is noisy, rough, lacks power compared to my 05. For a daily driver, I would always choose the 3rd gen over the 1st gen for a daily driver.

To each his own though, if I didn't have a wife and kids, the decision to go to a 1st gen may be easier.

 

[Simplysmn]

for 16 Grand it better be rust free and pretty much rebuilt ? that's High for a first gen I was looking on Craig's list yesterday in Texas and Found several Nice truck's for 6-8 grand with fair Mileage

 

[VolsFan]

http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/3455810094.html

thats the truck. I am aware of the stiff ride and all that stuff. When I was a kid my dad had a blue and gray 250 4wd and I thought that was the baddest truck on the planet, he still wishes he had it, but likes his 03 3500 pretty good too!I changed all 4 brakes on his 03 today and picked his brain on the 92,( I was like 8 yrs old when he had it!)he put 100k on it(bought it at 50k) and only changed fluids and rebuilt the starter,and sold it for 2k more than what he paid for it! I dont use my truck as a daily driver, got a cavalier to commute in, and a nice sedan to haul our daughter around. I know the first gens lack power, but conversely, also get excellent fuel mileage!Not worried one bit about the noise and harsh ride, but finding parts sounds sketchy. Also, was thinking that a first gen in good condition kept that way shouldnt depreciate any more, just go up as they get harder to come by. I love the 3rd gens, my dads 03 laramie dually is awesome, incredibly powerful, awesome 6 spd, and huge brakes, been insanely reliable esp. when considered the lack of routine maintenance the poor thing is subjected to. Just want something simple, no front end issues to worry about (steering stabilizers, track bars, control arms, caster,etc. )not sure I want to deal with all that all over again, although I never did experience death wobble because I nipped everything in the butt before it could happen, just made the wallet lighter. Thanks for the comments though, ill keep posted what goes on.

 

[Bob4x4]

I worked at a Dodge store when the cummins was first put in a Dodge. I drove it. Loved the way it ran and the great mileage numbers stated coming in but there was no way I would buy one comparing the truck to my 10 year older Chevy truck

 

[NIsaacs]

It looks like you have a real nice truck already, just has an auto. Since you have daily drivers, why not do a manual transmission conversion? However, you can't go wrong with a 1st gen either. With some mild mods they will run circles around any pickup trucks of that era, towing. When I drive my '91. 5 D250 it makes me



Nick

 

[DVolk]

There isnt that many parts that are hard to find in my opnion , just have to watch the cracking in the a pillars and the steering bracket cracks is what i find , but 16 is high i could build one for that much

 

[Simplysmn]

http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/cto/3455810094.html

thats the truck. I am aware of the stiff ride and all that stuff. When I was a kid my dad had a blue and gray 250 4wd and I thought that was the baddest truck on the planet, he still wishes he had it, but likes his 03 3500 pretty good too!I changed all 4 brakes on his 03 today and picked his brain on the 92,( I was like 8 yrs old when he had it!)he put 100k on it(bought it at 50k) and only changed fluids and rebuilt the starter,and sold it for 2k more than what he paid for it! I dont use my truck as a daily driver, got a cavalier to commute in, and a nice sedan to haul our daughter around. I know the first gens lack power, but conversely, also get excellent fuel mileage!Not worried one bit about the noise and harsh ride, but finding parts sounds sketchy. Also, was thinking that a first gen in good condition kept that way shouldnt depreciate any more, just go up as they get harder to come by. I love the 3rd gens, my dads 03 laramie dually is awesome, incredibly powerful, awesome 6 spd, and huge brakes, been insanely reliable esp. when considered the lack of routine maintenance the poor thing is subjected to. Just want something simple, no front end issues to worry about (steering stabilizers, track bars, control arms, caster,etc. )not sure I want to deal with all that all over again, although I never did experience death wobble because I nipped everything in the butt before it could happen, just made the wallet lighter. Thanks for the comments though, ill keep posted what goes on.

No way is that worth 16,000 sorry do some checking you can find Alot of truck's just and clean if not better for less have a look around I'm sure you can find more plus it's just a reg cab ?

 

[TFaucette]

i agree that truck isn't worth over 10k but i will say, i have a 90 and a 06 both 4wd and the 90 will beat you to death compared to the 06 but for some reason i get so much more enjoyment out of driving my raggedy old firsty with no air over my nice 06 any day (however my wife very much diagrees, which may need to be taken into consideration) it's simple and makes really decent power with free pump mods and a hx35, it all simply comes down to what you will be using the truck for and what you like. in my opinion parts are easy to find (used at least) i watch cumminsforum.com classifieds constantly and find a lot of great things stock and performance (currently in the process of trading my stock afc/fuel pin for a dennyT afc delete). but for what its worth i would be patient and search a lil more for different trucks if you are set on a first gen like i said CF classifieds has a specific section for first gen trucks for sale http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/1st-gen-trucks/ and also a trade section but just as a refference this is no 5 speed (not sure which kind of allison opefully not a at545) but this is a truck in my opion that is worth 10k or more

http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/3482026009.html

 

[VolsFan]

TFaucette, that is a nice truck in the craigslist post for 10k or whatever it was. Yeah, you guys are right, 16k is a lot for that 93. A first gen is awesome, but more practical to get into a 3rd gen, they are well built, not too many flaws that I see on them, heavy frames, good brakes, stout trannys. Ive been eyeing a few that can be had for less than 20k with 150k miles or less on them with 6 spd 4wd. I was thinking about going the auto to manual conversion on my truck, but by the time the drive shafts are changed, new computer, thats a lot of coin, not to mention I'm still stuck with pretty crappy brakes, which will be even more dinero to make them right. Far cheaper to get a newer truck. Thanks for all the replies that helped me pull my head out of my rear end.

 

[Bigiron]

I will throw in my two cents on going backwards in years. I had an 03 dually crew cab, I loved the truck but it was ten years old and I went back to a 93. The only reason was all the computer and tons of wiring scared me. Ran fine drove great but I was afraid of being at the dealers mercy when the electrical demons started to come and they will come. So I am back to the old school fix it with a screw driver and pliers truck. I will change springs to new stuff for a better ride and same hauling capacity and tune it up a little bit for some more power to tow. Everyone has a reason for doing what they do and why they do it. Hope you make the right decision for you.