Help me pick my first 1st Gen truck!

[LJinLA]

Hello Everyone, this is my first post here.

I'm in Los Angeles and I've been searching for a 1st Gen Cummins for a few months now. Of course my first choice is a 1992-93 W250, manual transmission, but I haven't come across many for sale, and when I did they were priced very high. After a few months looking, I'm now eager to get started and more willing to compromise. I've been using craigslist to search since, as far as I could tell by reading the forums, that's where most guys got their best deals. Any suggestions as to where else to search to find a good deal will be much welcome and appreciated.

A few days ago, I located something that could be tempting... it's low priced but the injection pump has some problems... it's a 1989 D250 with less than 170K miles, rebuilt automatic transmission, that I could get at around $2,000, but the owner says the injection pump is leaking and must be rebuilt or maybe could be fixed by replacing a gasket. Does the fact that the truck is low mileage and low-priced make it a good deal in spite of the problem with the IP, if this were the only major problem with the truck? Unfortunately, this deal is 400 miles away. from where I live. .



My main reason for getting a truck is for expedition travel. My girlfriend and I love beautiful natural surroundings and have visions of using a 1st Gen Cummins equipped with a camper shell and a few other items to explore the beautiful nature of California and surrounding states.

After a lot of reading on the subject, it seems to me that what we need is a 4x4 truck truck w/ manual transmission. I plan to eventually put on larger tires (37s) and it seems that a manual transmission would be best and most reliable. Our dilemma is, should we be patient and keep looking and waiting for a manual 4x4, which might take a very long time, or should we compromise on both requirements and grab the next good deal on a D250 auto if the price is right? Most of the 1st Gens I've come across are 4x2 autos... ...



This will be my first Cummins, so please let me have all the good advice/opinions you are willing to give. Thanks.

 

[JR]

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/1st-gen-trucks/



This is a nationwide classifieds so if your willing to do a bit of travelling you should be able to find what your looking for. Good luck and welcome!





I will add that the link I gave you is a great place for finding trucks or used parts but the forums section can get pretty ugly. You have found the most resourceful Cummins forum on the web right here, so any questions you may have ask away! Theres lots of 1st gen die hards here that will steer you in the right direction.

 

[NJTman]

Buy one with the least amount of rust possible

This was my first CTD, and it was a good truck. Took a lot of $$ to get it mechanically functioning well, as the body, drivetrain and suspension all needed some type of work on it. Lots of years of ignoring service to it can cause this. . Since the body was rusty, I sold it, and found something that didn't need all that bodywork.

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The new truck, which is actually a year older (92) still needed all the mechanical work, but it didn't need much done to the body, other than rust treatment and prevention. I've still had to put thousands of dollars into it to make it mechanically sound, as again, not much maintenance to it was done. These engines are so reliable that people tend to forget to make sure everything else is up to snuff.

#ad



Finding something for a couple thousand dollars that doesn't need any work will be a difficult task. .

 

[DVolk]

I dont think id want to haul a camper with a truck with 37"s un less its a "pop up " style camper it would be real top heavy and tippy , id stick with 33"s or a dually would be even better especially if it hangs out the back

 

[HHhuntitall]

Well, I don't think you can go wrong with a Cummins, especially a 12valve.



As for the '89 you've found, I'd be leery of the mileage. The speedo only has 5 digits, so at 99,999, it rolls back to zero... . The auto transmission is a 3 speed auto, almost identical to the old 727 car trannies, without overdrive. The truck should get outstanding mileage with a 3:07 rearend gear, but will be somewhat limited on top end speed, around 85-90mph. The seal in the pump is no big problem, but expect to spend around $1000 at a shop to rebuild it, and 1/4 that to reseal it. IT's not the same pump used on later, Intercooled trucks, so the parts are not fully interchangable. Personally, I'd go with it if it was cheap enough and you could afford it. It will give you the learning curve you need for your next truck and not lose much value. And it will make great spare parts for your next truck.



And if you're not the two truck kinda guy, then get what you want the first time. Almost ALL of them I see need work somewhere. A camper shell and 37s is a big truck, and may need some fender trim, so go slow. Craigslist is not a bad option, but something close to you may not come up for some time. The diesel forums are a good, free, place to look. Another place is www.dieselsellerz.com They'll have most anything, but I won't say they're always cheap..... Also don't forget to look in the local paper classfieds, as older people don't usually list on the internet, but do have a liking for the older dodges.



I perfer the extended cabs, like that gorgeous beauty in NJTMan's pic. Like he said, look for lack of maintenance, oil leaks, body rust and damage. They're pretty bullet proof, and almost anything on them can be rebuilt. I'm sure others will chime in for places to locate one.

 

[LJinLA]

Thank you guys for the feedback, and HHhuntitall for the specifics..... it's all very helpful.
NJTman, your new truck looks great!
I did not mean to say I wanted to put a heavy camper on the bed, just a shell... . they are about 250 lbs. I think, plus the stuff that goes inside... . very likely I'll build a sleeping platform of some sort.
Still debating if I should wait for a (higher priced, more difficult to come by) 4x4 manual, or grab a cheaper, more common 2x4 auto when a good deal shows up.
Please keep the feedback coming. It is all very much appreciated... .

 

[DVolk]

Id just buy what you can afford and go from there ? if you do all of the tricks a auto should live .

 

[NIsaacs]

Try KSL. COM, mostly from Utah. I just checked on '89 to '93 Dodge D250/W250 and found 4 with 5 spds, 2 D's and 2 W's. also 2 autos. The 4 w/5spd's were $3500 to $5500. I don't recommend the 3 spd auto with the Cummins, not enough gears.



Nick

 

[LJinLA]

Thanks for the link and advice.

As far as going for the cheap 2wd, I look at it this way: if the pump were the only major problem, it would be a good deal, as it would give me the chance of enjoying the truck right away, putting on a used shell, building a sleeping platform, etc. , all of which could be transferred to a 4x4, manual, once I find it... ... then I would sell the 2wd after having enjoyed it for a while and having gone through some of the learning curve of taking care of a cummins... ... but what if it won't be this easy and there will be more problems that require fixing... the cheap truck could reveal itself to be the proverbial can of worms, I would be stuck with a money pit truck, not being what I am ultimately shooting for. It's a tough call.

All considered, I think that waiting a bit longer for 4x4 manual, which is really what I need, might be my best option. Thanks for your opinions, please keep them coming... . it's all very helpful.

 

[NJTman]

Thanks for the link and advice.

... . I would sell the 2wd after having enjoyed it for a while and having gone through some of the learning curve of taking care of a cummins... ... but what if it won't be this easy and there will be more problems that require fixing... the cheap truck could reveal itself to be the proverbial can of worms, I would be stuck with a money pit truck, not being what I am ultimately shooting for.

All considered, I think that waiting a bit longer for 4x4 manual, which is really what I need, might be my best option. Thanks for your opinions, please keep them coming... . it's all very helpful.

Save your money and buy what is worth it, and not some abused junkbox. You won't have much of a learning curve taking care of the cummins, as it will be your metal cage it's wrapped in that you will be dealing with. I paid $7,000 for my 92, and I put as much into it, fixing the things that a 20 year old truck needs to have done. You have to remember that the cummins motors just run... and run, so what a lot of owners do is just buy them, and never do anything else other than put fuel into them and change the oil. This makes the frames, drivetrain, body and all the other MISC items suffer from not being cared for.

My truck was very well maintained, but in order to make it so that it didn't have any on the road issues, I've gone through just about every system on the truck. The Suspension, KDP, Electrical, Cooling, brakes, steering, Rear diff, Etc. 20 years of moderate use left a good truck, but in order to make it continue to be reliable, I had to go through everything, hence the expense. This is why I said find something that has minimal rust on it as the mechanical stuff is relatively easy to deal with.

Here's a link to my truck and my attempt at keeping the rust at bay. . Keep in mind that the work was done to fight the rust formation from our salt air and winters here, and not for aesthetics... .

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/attempting-save-dodge-t295193.html

 

[LJinLA]

Wow, you did a great job, T! Looking really good Thanks for your advice!

 

[DVolk]

You could go a gen 2 truck or look on ebay or go to a auto auction.

 

[RWherley]

It might be a little more than your looking for but if you find a good deal on a 350 dually get it, It is not possible to over load them i've had 4400 lbs. in the bed and it drove about the same as empty, and with wider rear wheels they handle real good and no body role in turns, and they look cool.

 

[NJTman]

What about this one ???


Not a 1st genner, but it looks cool... well, except for the rims / tires and rear springs that are too low. .

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/3741243405.html

Or this one that has the camper cap on it already

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/3689772070.html

 

[RWherley]

The fords not bad and with some work could be cool, but i got to say i love the crew cab if i had the money i would buy it myself, the only thing the ford has over the dodge is its a 4x4, but i think you would really like the extra room of the longer cab. My club cab isnt to good for putting people in the back but its great to have room to put stuff back there. And if you really wanted to later on you could convert the dodge to 4x4.

 

[ENafziger]

I'd keep looking and get what you want From my experience, you never get anything out of all your hard work you put into a vehicle... except for the experience of doing it. At best, you'll recoup 50% of the parts alone and none of the labor. Hang in there, and the right one will come along. I live in Knoxville, TN, and found my '91. 5 in Colorado. It was a 1 owner 4x4 5-speed with 187,000 on it, and like T, I gave 7k for it... and have put about 9k more into it and a LOT of labor. I have learned alot in the process, and don't necessarily regret it. However, I've had recent thoughts of selling it, but I don't really want to take a huge loss on it either... which most likely means I'll keep it.

All that to say, look for what you want. For what you're wanting to do, I'd look for one with 4. 10 gears, and fit 37's on it with no more than a 4" lift and trim fenders for the rest.

--Eric

 

[ENafziger]

Get this one quick!!! http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/3709282975.html

Or this one... http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/3663035379.html

This one doesn't look bad for the money... http://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/3732616864.html

Another choice... http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/3707653631.html

Get a plane ticket and drive it back... http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/3653307412.html

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/3700254979.html

http://nd.craigslist.org/cto/3683144607.html

http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/cto/3714919412.html

http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/3692156550.html

 

[LJinLA]

You could go a gen 2 truck or look on ebay or go to a auto auction.

So far the ones I've seen on ebay seem way overpriced... it seems the sellers who go there have very high expectations and unfortunately I am in no position of going over the $5K roof.

It might be a little more than your looking for but if you find a good deal on a 350 dually get it, It is not possible to over load them i've had 4400 lbs. in the bed and it drove about the same as empty, and with wider rear wheels they handle real good and no body role in turns, and they look cool.

Your truck looks great, love it! Do you think it feasible, if I were to get a W350, to drive it with the inner rear wheels removed and adding larger tires? I've seen that done to F-450s and F-550s for expedition travel, though never to 1st Gen duallies.

I'd definitely go for a dually, if what I said above can be done.

What about this one ???



Not a 1st genner, but it looks cool... well, except for the rims / tires and rear springs that are too low. .



http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/3741243405.html



Or this one that has the camper cap on it already



http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/3689772070.html

I'd like to stick to 1st Gen Dodges and the second one is an auto 2wd and, in my opinion, way overpriced at that.

I've been viewing better deals (autos 2wds), but you guys have helped my determination to wait for what I really want and need, a manual 4x4.

I'd keep looking and get what you want From my experience, you never get anything out of all your hard work you put into a vehicle... except for the experience of doing it.



... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .



All that to say, look for what you want. For what you're wanting to do, I'd look for one with 4. 10 gears, and fit 37's on it with no more than a 4" lift and trim fenders for the rest.



--Eric

I've come to agree with all that you've written in your post, Eric. As far as tire size to gears ratio/lift, I like very much what metcalf (from another forum) has done to his DoItAll 1st gen: he's been running 38. 5" tires with only a leveling kit and 3. 55 gears, and he says that's perfect for his purposes (he even hauls heavy loads with this combo). He had to do a lot of trimming in order to fit those large tires without a lift. In my mind, that truck (but with 37's) is my ideal in a first gen Dodge.

Get this one quick!!! http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/3709282975.html



Or this one... http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/3663035379.html



This one doesn't look bad for the money... http://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/3732616864.html



Another choice... http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/3707653631.html



Get a plane ticket and drive it back... http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/3653307412.html



http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/3700254979.html



http://nd.craigslist.org/cto/3683144607.html



http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/cto/3714919412.html



http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/3692156550.html

Thanks for the links. I've been in touch with the sellers of the two modesto trucks over the past few days. My max is $5K.....

And I like to keep my searching to no-rust states and also wouldn't want to travel too far away out-of-state. But have been looking at a lot of deals here in CA. Problem is most trucks being sold are not 4x4 manuals. I'm no rush. I know I'll eventually come across what I want and need.

 

[peobryant]

So far the ones I've seen on ebay seem way overpriced... it seems the sellers who go there have very high expectations and unfortunately I am in no position of going over the $5K roof.



Your truck looks great, love it! Do you think it feasible, if I were to get a W350, to drive it with the inner rear wheels removed and adding larger tires? I've seen that done to F-450s and F-550s for expedition travel, though never to 1st Gen duallies.
I'd definitely go for a dually, if what I said above can be done.



I'd like to stick to 1st Gen Dodges and the second one is an auto 2wd and, in my opinion, way overpriced at that.
I've been viewing better deals (autos 2wds), but you guys have helped my determination to wait for what I really want and need, a manual 4x4.



I've come to agree with all that you've written in your post, Eric. As far as tire size to gears ratio/lift, I like very much what metcalf (from another forum) has done to his DoItAll 1st gen: he's been running 38. 5" tires with only a leveling kit and 3. 55 gears, and he says that's perfect for his purposes (he even hauls heavy loads with this combo). He had to do a lot of trimming in order to fit those large tires without a lift. In my mind, that truck (but with 37's) is my ideal in a first gen Dodge.



Thanks for the links. I've been in touch with the sellers of the two modesto trucks over the past few days. My max is $5K.....
And I like to keep my searching to no-rust states and also wouldn't want to travel too far away out-of-state. But have been looking at a lot of deals here in CA. Problem is most trucks being sold are not 4x4 manuals. I'm no rush. I know I'll eventually come across what I want and need.

That is exactly what you need to do. As soon as you settle on something, the next week the exact truck you want will be for sale for a cheaper price than what you settled for. That's how it happen with me, at least.

 

[RWherley]

I dont see why you wouldnt be abale to put one wide tire on the back of a dually it be no differnt then a super single a big truck, though it would be easyer to do with a factory 4x4 truck as they have the standerd 9/16 wheel studs were my 2x4 has bigger 5/8 wheel studs that need a coined wheel on them. As for gearing you are on the right path with wanting 3. 55s mine had 4. 10s in it when i got it and with the 5 speed and 235/85R 16 tires it would not go above 70 on the highway, I have since changed then over to 3. 54 and now i can run 70 all day and up to 93 before i hit the gov. at 2500 rpm.