12V - 4wd chassis recommendations

[RSchwarzli]

Welcome to the funny farm!



I think one other thing you may want to look at is transmitions. If you get a Getrag 5-spd manual, be sure to run threw all of the gears before buying as they are known to have MANY issues (mine was one that was fried when I bought it).



If it is a auto (89-90) see is the trans is slipping at all and on the 91. 5-93, see if the OD works.



Robert

 

[91W350]

I think it would be a great first vehicle, my son wants one and I have it sitting in the garage. I am going to get it painted and give it to him to drive. If he wrecks it, I'll have parts. My plan is to let him drive it as long as he wants, then I am taking it back. It is a 91. 5 one ton, single rear wheel 4x4 five speed. A great truck, nice and straight, no rust, the paint was just peeling like crazy, so we are down to bare metal right now. It is one of the nicest driving first gens I have had the pleasure of driving in spite of its age. A couple from Colorado was coming through and roasted the Getrag. It helps to check the oil level once in awhile. They bought a new Duramax, good luck with that! Anyway, it was priced right and I always wanted one, so now I have one, sorta... :-laf I hope when I get it back, it is rebuildable. Glen

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Those 1 ton 350s are somewhat rare... nice find.

 

[91W350]

I had been driving by looking at it for quite some time, they would not sell it and it was just baking in the sun. The rats had made a mess on top of the heater box and the battery was dead beyond recovery. It had some 65 series car tires on it, I got all of that taken care of shortly after buying it. It really drives nice, I would like to find another. Just me, I guess... . it was a real bonus to find it was a 5 speed!! It is a nice heavy duty cruiser that he will have to try to tear up. If he takes care of it, he can drive it for many years. Glen

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

I meant to say the 350s with single rear wheels are hard to find... at any rate, nice find.

 

[91W350]

I knew what you meant, the best thing is that it is paid for! I would love to have another for myself. The boy does not want an extended cab or he would be driving the 93. I should make him anyway. Glen

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

I love my extended cab. I keep tools and my bowling ball, and all sorts of good stuff back there. Once in a while you can cram people you don't like into those jump seats, too.

 

[91W350]

There are a lot of things I like about the extended cab. I took the console out of mine and put a dog bed in there. My two German Shepherd males travel with me, one sleeps in the seat, the other on the floor. Sometimes both on the floor. It makes a good place to put bags on road trips and like you, every so often, I punish somebody by stuffing them back there.



For driving around town, getting in and out of parking stalls, making a U turn on a street without six lanes, or backing out of the driveway with cars parked across the street, I would rather have the regular cab. It also does not high center nearly as easy off road and can navigate through the trees easier. I wish the W350 had the locker that is in the rear of the W250! Glen

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Yeah, I found out real quick that following 2 regular cabs through the woods leads to tree shaped dents in your bed.



Just because the regular cab made the turn, doesn't mean my extended cab can... .

 

[91W350]

I found the same thing driving over terraces, that extra length can come back and grab you by the belly. Same thing coming out of ditches or peaking steep hills. I have not tried any rock crawling with it, I know that would be looking for an injury.

 

[Mhannink]

i like the 1st gens but as a daily driver i would take the second gen anyday the ride is so much better. my last gf has a 93 half ton and her truck doesnt ride near as nice as my diesel. just imagine a heavier suspension ouch. i personaly feel that the second gens also have better interior all around.



ok that aside talking drive train only yes the 1st gen is better stronger front axle and tcase. no track bars to wear out i dont really know much about the steering but i imagin it might be better since i think it was changed somewhat in 94. problems with the first gen is a less reliable injection pump though not by much. the early 89 to 91 have head cracking problems though not so much on the later 91. 5 to 93.



the second gens have weaker front axles and tcase. the track bars wear out and the steering can be a little sloppy though mine(have had 2) never where and my current trucks bar is really bad. the cad can also be a problem this problem is solved by a very reliable cable for 200 bucks. the p7100 is by far the best pump and is extremly reliable.



personaly without knowing your daughter at all and taking a measured guess she is going to have some girl tendencies she will want a second gen. based on looks ride interior and comfort. thats just my guess. hope this all helps

 

[91W350]

i like the 1st gens but as a daily driver i would take the second gen anyday the ride is so much better. my last gf has a 93 half ton and her truck doesnt ride near as nice as my diesel. just imagine a heavier suspension ouch. i personaly feel that the second gens also have better interior all around.

You have a point on the ride, I think we can feel the oil spots on the roadway sometimes. It is nice in another respect though, you pay a heavy price for abusing these trucks. :-laf My son tells me to slow down sometimes, I do not think he appreciates being launched into the seatbelt restraint.