1st gen questions from 2nd gen owner

[Heavy Metal]

A good friend of mine is looking at at a 1991 CDT reg. cab 4x4 with 95,000 original miles. He is new to CTDs and is asking my opinion on the truck. Asking price is $10,000. Is this about right? If so, I am planning on looking over the truck with him and as a 24 valve owner, I am not quite certain what to look for. What problems are common to these trucks? Whatever help ya'll can give me in introducing another friend to the Cummins Diesel and TDR will be greatly appriciated.



Bryan

 

[RobbieH]

I'm a 3rd Gen answering this question, but here it goes.



$10,000 seems WAY high, especially if it's the 91 and not the 91. 5, heck even then it's high IMHO.



My friend just picked up a 91. 5 for $3200, from a STEALERSHIP!



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[Greenleaf]

I see many trucks advertised for this price.

Thats why I drive a 2X4... . with twice the miles.

Yep, people pay that.



Scott

 

[sparks57]

10k is way too much.



Some things to look for:

•Pull the stop solenoid from the injection pump and look for metal particles. If there are some, that means the injection pump is going.

•Standard look over, look for leaks etc.

•The trannies on these trucks are notoriously crappy, drive it and make sure it's not very noisy and stays in gear.

•Listen for an odd squeek in the dash... if there is an annoying high pitched squeek it's probably the notoriouse cowl crack.



Also, this may not be of any interest to him, but if he plan on BOMBing it, make sure it's a 91. 5 or newer... they have intercoolers. It's pretty easy to tell, if the turbo air outlet just goes over top of the engine, it has no intercooler.



I'll probably come back and edit this after a while and add whatever I forgot... I just woke up so I'm a little groggy.

 

[RobbieH]

It's even easier to tell than that. Check out the valve cover!



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Says INTERCOOLED on it!

 

[bgilbert]

Oh I'm in love. Thats my twin! I want the tailgate and rear bumber if its in that good of shape. No way $10k for a standard cab 2wd, nonic or ic, 5sp or auto cherry low mi NOPE. The ones going for high dollar $10+ are usually 4wd extended cab lwb 5sp low mi. Look in the TDR classifieds, plenty of 1st gens, better to buy from a TDR member anyways. Bill

 

[cerberusiam]

Good shape + low miles = $$$$$. $10k is a little high but they will go for that and more depending on location. If there is wiggle room he will come down.



Cowl cracks, transmission noise, suspension, door hinges, general tightness of the cab (is squeaks, pops, etc). The seats tend to break down witha lot of heavy use and you will see wear on door sills and carpet if it has been used hard. All of the above can be replaced but there should be some signs of it. Given good care and normal use at 95k it just starting to get broke in. If the rest of the truck is in good shape it could go high.



Just be aware parts availability is starting to get critical. OEM sheet metal is unheard of and a lot of the little parts, switchs, seals, sensors, can be a challenge. Good luck.

 

[Heavy Metal]

Thanks for the responses. I wil go look at the truck myself and see if I can't talk the owner down on the price.



Bryan

 

[CDegner]

I paid $10,250 for mine with 91K miles ... 9 years and 168K miles ago. $10K is too much.



Just my $0. 02

Carl

 

[RGT]

I have to laugh a little when I see a guy with an '03 saying 10k is too much to pay for a low mile 1st gen truck in good shape, between taxes, insurance... . and depreciation just for driving off the lot he must have blown 10k just taking delivery of the '03

 

[1stgen4evr]

How much

I see way too many for less than that with only slightly more mileage. I would not buy a fwd unless my needs were absolute in that regard AND I knew the previous owner and how the truck was used. A twd with similar miles can be had for somewhat less. If you shop hard you can probably find three trucks for that money with mileage below 200k. They would run another 300k each for a total of 900k miles. If you want to do a little work, you can buy five for that money. Part out three and pocket the difference for a free truck.



BUT if he is in love with it, it can be the perfect truck. Blonde, brunette or red head, Pick your poision.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[dpuckett]

I agree, $10K IS too much, 4x4 or otherwise. People are just too danged proud of that zero on the odometer. I'd be much more concerend about the mileage being TOO LOW for the age- it has done a lot of sitting. I got my 2wd (ok, it is by no means pristine, but still) for $3500. I have almost $5K in it now- new diff bearings, new EDMs, new to me turbo, etc, etc. It still gets me from here to there, and will for another 700K- gets 18-20 mpg.



IF the body is in good to great shape (no paint chips/ fade, no dents or dings, garaged) and IF the drivetrain is excellent, (NO leaks, not even on the front seal, or transmission, diffs in good shape, etc. ), and IF it were intercooled, and IF etc, etc, I might go $8500-9000, but I doubt it. I can get a 97 for that if I'm patient.



Daniel

 

[MMiller]

Here's some food for thought. Just saw a 82-86 Chivvy halfton 4X4 with a little lift and good body for $8200 at a used car lot. You know the kind with 10 bolt axels 700r4 auto and 208 t-case. Just down the road from me was a early 90's f150 4X4 stock extended cab short box for $7800. Now tell me, where would you put your money?? $10,000 for a diesel 4X4 with 60F 70 rear with only 95,000 miles sound like a much better deal than the above trucks. It would also knock down alot better milege then the chivvey, and probably the ford too!



It all comes down to, does your bubby want a first gen, will he keep it a long time, and does it look and run good? If yes answers all three of the above then go for it. It is still cheep for a GOOD diesel, not a 6. 5 or a old 7. 3. Its 4X4 just about as heavy duty as the new one tons, and is lower milage then almost any 2nd gens, and in a few years lower milage then the 3rd gens out there.



My opinion can be a little off center though. When I look at a vehicle to seriosly buy, its because I will keep it for ever and really know I want/need it. I don't buy vehicles and change them every few years, so I can justify spending more on one, because I will KEEP IT!! I am also very partial to first gens. I have driven both my dad's and brother's second gen trucks and don't like them as much as driving an "old" truck



Michael

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

After I bought my new '02, I sold my VERY clean early '91 for $7000, and THAT was well over book price at that time... And it had a US Gear OD, and all the Banks stuff added to boot. Shucks, I only paid $18,000 for it, out the door.

 

[JApplegate]

is it a automatic or manuel? either way like they said they are not the best trans. if it's a 5 manuel and a getrag (get-trash) i would suggest getting him to lower the price... u most likely either have to buy a new get-trash or spend bout 3000$ on a converstion to a nv4500 (i know this from experence. . ) my 93 was top truck 4 the time... has everything... extented cab, power windows, power every thing and 8' bed, 250k miles but it had a getrag and it was shot (pulling a horse trailer will do it to it) so i got it for 2500$ and miles on a diesel doesn't really matter they will out last you.

 

[bgilbert]

Looks just like the truck I bought for $4000. Only 4wd, 137k mi.

 

[RobbieH]

Originally posted by RGT

I have to laugh a little when I see a guy with an '03 saying 10k is too much to pay for a low mile 1st gen truck in good shape, between taxes, insurance... . and depreciation just for driving off the lot he must have blown 10k just taking delivery of the '03

That's fine, you can think what you want, but I have 4 real doors and a 100,000 mile warranty. We all have our priorities. I have had my share of high mileage vehicles and this time I wanted a new one.



I help Bill work on that 1st gen that he just picked up, the one in the picture, and it's a blast to do. He got a good deal and it works for him. In fact I found it for him and suggested he buy it.



If I keep my truck for 20 years, the depreciation isn't going to mean a flippin' thing now is it?



By the way, sticker on my truck was $36,850 and I walked out the door at $26,135 so if I lost $10k on the way out that's fine because today with 18,000 miles on it I can sell it for more than I paid for it.



And I still think my truck was worth $16,000 more than a 1st gen. $10k is just too much.