1st Gen. Trucks treated like 2nd class Citizens

[CrewCabDiesel]

I don't know about you guys, but I am tired of getting no respect from aftermarket accessories companies. Every time I call or go to a Store that suppose to sell truck accessories and tell them I have a 1st generation Dodge truck, their nose go up in the air and they try telling me no one fixes up "those old trucks anymore" and there is no demand for aftermarket upgrades for the 1st generation trucks. Heck I even called Geno's Garage, and got the same treatment. Now last time I looked there is still a bunch of " old Dodges" around and most of the guys I have talked to have had the same problem when it comes to getting just about any type of part. So any of you Dodges nuts out there know of a good supplier of 1st gen. Dodge accessories please let me know.
Kyle

------------------
1985 DODGE 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4 in 1999. Converted to a non-intercooled 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & rebuilt 5 speed Getrag in 2001(wife can't drive a stick . Freshly rebuilt and Balanced Cummins, Rebuilt NP205, Rebuilt Injector pump and tweaked, Matched Injectors, 3" New Mandrel Bent Exhaust,no muffler, Borgeson Steering Shaft, K&N Air Filter, 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers, 16K Reese 5th Wheel Hitch,and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. Next add-on some “Banks” toys ! If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand F**d and Ch**y. Kyle Hoover ,Fruitport, MI.

 

[Lil' Dog]

I second that motion. . #ad
. It all started with Lund, I wanted those clipin style bug screen/winter front... Ya right!!!
What do we do? They tend to ignore us with trucks over 10 years old. . Remember your roots guys. . #ad
. .

J-eh

------------------
Jason Hoffman
Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 5 Spd 3. 54 LSD Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs.
237,500 miles (380,000 Kms) 7850 Hrs. Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

Lil' Mack Pics 07-00

 

[R.E. Miller]

I have the same problem too, but always get the last laugh. People around here laugh at me when I tell them my plans for my older dodges, they just don't get it. 1st Gen owners know that their trucks were the last REAL trucks ever built, they have leaf springs, solid axles, true manual 4x4, and a true diesel; not one that has some parts sold by microsoft. Not to up-set anyone, these trucks also break down too, but they can be fixed with a reasonable amount of tools in a logical manner. Just because we don't have 1000 per month payments doesn't mean we can't hang. Dealers, people that get treated like crap will swim up-stream to a different dealer, small business hint. Love my older rigs, disturbed by flak distributed from owners of new trucks, always have a lawn chair ready for when new ones break down.

Try Jannetty racing, TST Products, and Jardine Perfomance I have had good luck with them.

------------------
1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually (All quiet for now)
1992 W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5"BD exhaust, 16cm^2 housing

[This message has been edited by R. E. Miller (edited 02-15-2001). ]

 

[RamAZ]

Crew Cab. I kinda feel the sme way. My 92 just keeps gettin on down the road. Went to Oregon twice this last year and never a problem. Just normal maintence: oil, tires and filters.

One thing that I noticed in the last issue of the magazine that there was know 1st. generation stuff. If that don't beat all. Maybe we don't break down as much.

I do carry two lawn chairs on the back of my camper just in case I break down, never had to use them. Maybe I will loan them to a 24 valver sometime.

Keep on gettin down the road.

Jim

 

[Case500D]

Let break off and form our own club! Nah, I am just kidding. TDR is a great resource. The last issue was my firts magazine and I was dissapointed there weren't more 1st generation points of interest. There were a couple of good pictures though. I'm not worried, I know that we have the true million mile trucks. Of course for the truck to get that many miles on it I may have to pass it down a few generations.

------------------
Jeremy Sweeten
1992 Dodge W-250 4x4
Cummins Diesel, Intercooled,
LE Package, 165K, AT, Warner Hubs, Dana 60HD 4,060 lb. front axle and Dana 70 6,084 lb. limited slip rear axle with 3. 54 gears, NPG 205 transfer case, 3. 5" Banks exhaust with straight pipe and 4" tip, K&N air filter
http://home.earthlink.net/~sweeten1/index.htm

 

[paccool]

Kyle and all the other 1st gens out there. This is what the club is all about. There have been lots of good tips in the past about where to get things but you are right, there is not a good source for "stuff". If anyone finds a good source for something, lets try to post it so we all can access that particular site.

I want to get a pillar mount and have seen something about one that fits a 93 but I can't remember where I saw it. Anyone help here? I'm thinking it was Big Don that had them.

------------------
Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 149K

 

[SRT-6]

I know what you mean. When I was rebuilding my 88 gmc I kept hearing "they don't make that for that old of a truck" Hell 88 is like new to me.

------------------
88 GMC CREW CAB 4X4 89 6BT,NO INTERCOOLER YET,AUTO METER LIQUID FILLED GAUGES,NV4500,NP205,4. 10's,35 BFGA/TKO,6" LIFT,DETROIT LOCKER,16CM,K&N,3. 5 EXHAUST,BD "PRINCE OF DARKNESS"INJECTORS 96 215 hp on the way. J. Mason

 

[preleeguy]

PACCOOL, A search should find the pillar mount your looking for,however I'll save ya the trouble. Auto Meter makes the gage mount your lookin for model#198. I was also shocked the other day to find JC Whitneys still has quite a few parts for the cronologicly(sp?) challenged trucks. (how can you call a truck old that still has 200 or 300k mi. left in her?)Last year I got a catalog in the mail from them that was only for Dodge trucks. Sure it was mostly round fender stuff,but there was quite a bit for the square fender crowd. I got a set of diamond plate bed rail guards that I never expected to find new. You can go to their site and search for parts only for your year and make truck. There is always the recycler, there was a lot of people at one point in time that bought a lot of aftermkt stuff for our trucks and a lot of those parts can be bought for a fraction of what they originally cost. It just takes a little time and patience to find them. Good Luck All. Keepum Rollin.

------------------
92 D250 5spd 3. 54 std cab, Banks exhaust,Isspro EGT&Boost gages,18cm Turbo.
67 Dodge R/T
67 Charger
98 Grand Cherokee
97 Stratus
Mopar Only Here
Tulsa 2000 Survivor.

 

[reoraider00]

CrewCab, I couldn't agree more with you in regards to genos. They don't cater to Dodge but to all the new makes (Dodge, Chevy, Ford). Old Dodges, heck they don't even know what the term "1st Generation" means.

------------------
93 D350 LE CC, Auto, 65,000 miles, Stock, 94 11Z Elkhorn Camper

 

[Matt S]

The only reason I can think is 10 years ago, people didn't put a lot of accessories on trucks. Maybe lift kits and such but not ergo shaped bug shields. Soccer moms didn't buy 1st gen Dodge pickups!

------------------
90 W250, 5-speed, isspro gauges, 16 cm2, K&N, Borgeson shaft, JRE 3" exhaust, Banks Intercooler, Lucas injectors

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I really don't think that the accessories venders care if some guy walks out and not buys anything, customer service everywhere has gone down the toilet(just look at Walmart). There is enough morons out there buying a $50,000 SUVs or pickups to keep them busy. How those people can justify a truck payment as much as their house payment (and even more) just baffles me. On the bright side after the economy dies from Clinton, there will be a lot of nice shiney trucks and SUVs on the repo lot, going cheap. While I still will be driving my old 1st generation truck which is paid for.

 

[Shrimpy]

Guys I couldn't agree more. And I second what CrewCabDiesel says about having a vehicle note that approaches a house payment. I don't begrudge anyone who has the money to afford new, I just question the rational. I have two uncles who raised large families (4 kids and 5 kids) who never lived extravagant lives. Neither one would buy new vehicles, but they always had nice vehicles. Unless you can get some sort of tax benefit from a newer vehicle it SEEMS crazy to spend the kind of money they are asking for the new ones. Now both are in retirement with money to burn but both refuse to buy new vehicles. They both cringe when they see a sticker on anything above $25,000. 00.

I guess my story is that just because it is over 5 years old does not make it worthless. I plan to get a newer truck when I reach 300,000 mls. New then will hopefully be a 98 or 97.

------------------
92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, PW injectors, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 230,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!

 

[Jones]

I'm with you guys! Seems with every passing year the new models get more complicated, more fragile and less likely to be interchangable with earlier versions. I kinda like being able to do maintainance, mods and conversions without having to re-design half the truck to get everything to fit and work right. Newer isn't necessarilly better. As for getting parts and accessories, when they tell you that stuff about "not available for those older trucks"
tell them why you're taking your business somewhere else, Don't just grumble and walk out the door. "Planned obsolete" is the basis for being able to get you to keep buying new, but if we can let'm know we're going to be hitting them in the wallet everytime they turn us away then maybe they'll pay a little more attention. It's the modern version of crowds of angry, torch-bearing villagers storming the castle.
Jones

------------------
Jones
'84 Ramcharger w/CTD, non-gated 12, torqflite, NP205, Dana 60 and 70 w/ 3. 07s. Looks more or less stock, definately doesn't sound stock.

 

[Big Don]

Guys,

I am glad there are others who feel the same way. I too struggle with parts for the "Original 5. 9 trucks". All the dealers just want me to trade when I go in looking for parts. If there is something specific yall are looking for let's hear it and I'll try to locate it. I am trying to help all the first gen guys. Remeber dad owns a 24 valve truck and he'll agree the first gens are cool. I like them and feel that they have become a classic far sooner than any other vehicle. I can remember in 94 when everyone was making fun of the older trucks and now it seems alot of folks who have traded or sold theirs kinda wish they had them back. Let's face it when was the last time your computer hiccupped or your lift pump went bad???? I like them because they are mechanical and you can tweak them to your liking. Let's hear it on the accessory needs and we'll try to round up something. If someone finds a good site let me know.

later
Don



------------------
Ol' Blue "First of the first gens: 1989 D 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54, 155,000, Banks stage III powerpack, 3. 5" straight exhaust, pump adjustments, "'Ol Blue Special" injectors.
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbed WARN fenderflares,Let, 275hp injectors installed, boost and pyro gages, VA plug'n power and Practical Solutions boost module. Jacobs E brake. Getting ready to install Banks Power Pack TLC!!
May buy another one in 2009!!
Check us out at:
http://donstractorrepair. homestead.com

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Just to show how far some of us Dodge nuts will go, I just made a list for my insurance company of new parts/ upgrades/rebuilds that I have done to my 1st generation. God help me if my wife sees this #ad


1985 Dodge Truck
Original, D350 Crew Cab
Imported from California in 1999(Rust Free & Zibarted in Spring Lake, MI)
2 Wheel Drive One Ton Pickup(Single Rear Wheel)

Engine,
5. 9L V8 Gasoline
Factory Options, Automatic Transmission, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Power Locks, Cruise Control, Tilt Wheel, Air Conditioning, Delayed Wipers, Heavy Duty Cooling, Limited Slip Rear Differential, Over load Rear Springs, AM/FM Cassette Stereo.

Current Truck Configuration
1985 Dodge Truck
Model, W350 Crew Cab
4 Wheel Drive Pickup, One Ton (Single Rear Wheel)
Engine,
1991, 5. 9L Inline 6 Cylinder Cummins Turbo Diesel
1991, Getrag 5 Speed Manual Transmission
1985, NP205 Gear Drive Transfer Case(complete overhaul/upgrade and new seals)
1985, Spicer/Dana 60 Front Axle
1991, Radiator Support and Grill

Factory Options
Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Power Locks, Cruise Control, Tilt Wheel, Air Conditioning, Delayed Wipers, Heavy Duty Cooling, Limited Slip Rear Differential, Over load Rear Springs,

Aftermarket Options
Sony AM/FM/CD Stereo,16" HD Alloy Wheels, K&N Air Filter, Borgeson Heavy Duty Steering Shaft, Rancho Steering Stabilizer, Reese 15K Lbs 5th Wheel hitch(installed by Michigan Coach Sales Wyoming, MI), Electric Trailer Brake System, 10K Lbs Receiver Class 3 hitch, Leer Topper, Keyless entry/Alarm System (to be added)

New Parts
Complete over haul of the 5. 9L Cummins Diesel
Engine new parts are OEM and are from Cummins or Dodge.
The parts replaced are, New Pistons, Rings, Wrist Pins, Rod Bearings, Main Bearings, Cam Bearing, Cam, Lifters, Valves, Valve Seats, Valve Guides/Seals/Springs, Lube Pump, Water Pump, Fuel Lift Pump, All Gaskets, Thermostat, Brake System Vacuum Pump, All rubber hoses & belt
Cummins engine is “Balanced”and bored . 39 over(per Specs), (Engine Machine work done by Varney’s Machine Shop, Muskegon, MI)

Rebuilt Diesel Injection Pump(By Performance Diesel & Gas, Wyoming MI)
Rebuilt Injectors and matched (By Advanced Diesel systems, Montague, MI)
Rebuilt Getrag 5 Speed Manual Transmission(by R & M Transmission Allendale MI),
New Sachs Clutch & 3700# Pressure Plate, New Throw Out Bearing, New Kevlar Pilot Bearing, New Starter Ring Gear, Flywheel balanced, Rebuilt Starter(Autozone), Rebuilt Front and Rear Differentials with all New bearings/seals/ring & pinion with 3:54 Dana Gears, rebuilt & balanced Front Drive Shaft(Mr Axle) Rebuilt & Balanced Rear Drive Shaft(Weller Truck Parts, Grand Rapids, MI), New Radiator, New Heater Core, New AC Condenser, New AC receiver/dryer, New AC rubber Coolant Lines, New AC Evaporator, Rebuilt AC Compressor(Air Conditioning Converted to R-134A Refrigerant),New Mandrel Bent Aluminize Exhaust System, Rebuilt and “beef up” Front & Rear Springs(Muskegon Brake, Muskegon, MI), New Steel and Rubber Fuel Lines, New Front Rubber Brake Lines, Rebuilt Front Brake Calipers with New Brake Hardware & Pads, New Front Wheel Bearings, U-joints & Seals, New Left & Right Tie Rods ends, New Steering Drag Link, New Front & Rear Heavy Duty Gabriel Shocks, Front end alignment(done by Thrifty Tire/Goodyear), 5 New Goodyear GSA “D” Rated tires with matching Alloy Wheels, Relined Rear Brake Shoes with New Wheel Cylinders and Brake Hardware.

So to the Accessory people, I have just gotten started, so how about a little respect, and maybe a even some discounts #ad
!

[This message has been edited by CrewCabDiesel (edited 02-19-2001). ]

 

[paccool]

Crewcab,
Thats a brand new truck! Just has an older number attached. Thats a lot of work you have done. Seemed like I was changing a lot of stuff but it doesn't even begin to come close to your's.

Stan