1989 vs.1993?

[Farmer_Matt]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum. Just a few weeks back I bought a 1993 D250 and am really happy with it so far. (1993 LE Regular cab, all stock, no muffler, 185,000 miles).



My company has some money set aside for a used diesel truck. I have found an '89 D250 (reg cab) with 141,000 miles at a reasonable price and am considering buying it for the business. Is there much difference between the 89's and the 93's? Mostly what we're concerned with is reliability and longevity.



Also, the asking price for the 89 is $4650 (negotiable), a little less than what we have set aside (This is grant money and I need to spend it all by the end of June). Would I be better off waiting around for something newer, or is the 89 a reasonably good bet? It is in pretty good shape, looks like it just needs some brake work on the rear end, minor paint touch ups, and a valve cover gasket. Had one owner its whole life and he kept it up pretty well, pulled a fifth wheel 36 foot trailer some but otherwise it looks like he took it easy on her.



The 89 is local which is a big plus! We drove about 6 hours to get the 93... worth it but work is busy and getting busier...



Thanks for any feedback you can provide,



Farmer Matt

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

the 89-90 trucks were not intercooled so they have a bit different tune in the pump and a lot less power potential.



FWIW,

Mark

 

[pepecat]

MY '89 is fine

'89's are fine. It all depends on the maintenance that has been done. My '89 d250 truck had 145,000 when I got it and I have checked everything through, the front end was rebuilt, the engine is clean, no rust undercairrage clean, and for reliability it is just less complicated than the newer ones with tps, pcm, intercooler, power windows and the like. Just make sure you do a thorough prebuy inspection. Would be a great work truck IMO. Ask Bgilbert or any other non i/c owner. There's an '89 d350 in reno right now on ebay that looks like a good buy, needs a carwash though :-laf

Nick

 

[ARhine]

we have both on the farm. The old 89 takes a lickin and won't die!



you woulndn't happen to be the same "farmer matt" over on NAXJA would ya?

 

[Farmer_Matt]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the tips. I put a deposit down this morning... the dealer is fixing all of the minor maintenance issues before purchase at a good price. I spoke with the previous (only) owner, he took pretty good care of things, it all looks good!



Nah, I'm not the other farmer matt. I can be found on the biodiesel discussion board once in a while as "farmer". If you want to run your cummins on vegetable oil, check out http://biodiesel.infopop.cc We are running our '93 on 25% homemade fuel, will be cranking up the percentage as the weather warms.

See ya,

Matt

 

[DieselTweaker]

my 89 act's just fine

 

[2broke2smoke]

my 89 act's just fine

:-laf that's the quote of the year!

 

[DieselTweaker]

what??? :-laf :-laf

 

[dpuckett]

All in all, the nonIC trucks arent bad- they have more low end in stock form than the later ones, at least the ones I've driven have had more grunt. True, there is less power potential, but how much are you going to need in a company truck? I can use about 30psi of my 38psi peak when towing before EGTs get too high. So, with stock injectors, and a few minor upgrades (air filter, AFC tuning, valve adjustment, and maybe chasing the muffler off), you will be fine.



THe injectors have bigger tips, thus an increased risk of developing cracks between the intake valve seat and injector bore. HEad gaskets arent as strong in stock form as the upgraded marine units that started in 93. Once again, it applies more to those that werent as meticulously maintained (i. e. , mine in its early years) or BOMBed. FWIW, I am running mine with 6 cracks- one in each cylinder for 50Kmi, with no problems.



Daniel

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Now Daniel, you know you forgot the biggest of them all... ... the one behind the wheel... :-laf



pb... .