1st Gen vs. everything else ...

[CGauthier]

I've seen alotta ppl post that the 1st gens are the better trucks... now I'm wondering if it's because we own 1st gens or is it because they really are better... if so, how? If someone could give me a little insight on what the differences are I'd greatly appreciate it... .



Thanx,



Carl (wants) "The Truth" Gauthier

 

[EZGZ]

Well, in some ways it is better to pay less for something a little older and it allows you to tinker with it.



The first generation had fuel pumps that you could manually adjust from the outside.



The valves are easier to reach when the time comes.



More room under the hood in general.



Not as much electronics.



These engines when well taken care of have a lot more life than the rest of the truck. In the early days they weren't squeezing it all out so the bottom ends should stay in better shape longer.



I don't know that they are better emission wise or comfort wise or some of those things. But it was a more straight forward design we were all used to.



They have certainly kept there value over the years and if you are the type that really needs to haul something they still get the job done after all this time. 100k miles is nothing, you can do that 3 times with a little luck.

 

[PSU-CE]

There are alot of pros and cons between the new and old rams. I own both and enjoy both of them. I like the lock in/out hubs on the first gen to minimize wear on parts and for backing up, but the vacuum system on the second gen is nice when your over your ankles in mud or snow. Both trucks seem to have similar ride, although the leather seats in my second gen is really comfy. The first gens are easier to work on because of simplicity and it is easy to get to everything. The second gens are capable of more power more easily, that's why I swapped a second gen engine into my first gen. The first gens are starting to rack up some miles because they haven't been made for 11 years now, so for a "new" used vehicle the second gen may be a better choice. All in all I believe it's a matter of what you can afford and what you want.

 

[Greenleaf]

They are from the era when the average guy with average know-how could tinker and tweak his truck without a master's degree in computers/electronics. We can, for most part, fix it ourself. And with a factory service manual and small tool box of Craftsman tools we can do some serious repairs on our own. Combine the affore mentioned with the TDR and you have enough skill/knowledge to be dangerous. Not to mention call the attention of the neighbors.



They just look and sound tough. That engine is one with untapped potential and is very commanding when done so in logical steps.



My 02 worth, whadda YOU think???



Greenleaf

 

[tugboatphil]

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!



Sorry, I couldn't resist. What Greenleaf said, ditto!

 

[prototech]

Ditto what the other guys said and you just can't beat a 1st gen's brutish good looks! my main goal when I bought my truck was to get anything with a cummins diesel for the least amount of cash!! a 2nd or 3rd gen would be nice but I'm too cheap to afford it! so when I get the urge to make a payment I just buy more goodies for my 1st gen. hopefully someday I'll be able to out run a 2nd or 3rd gen without the price tag!

Proto

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Ok, this is the only time I'm ever gonna admit this stuff... . but... .

The newer trucks with their leather seats, power hoochy poo's... etc. are nice... but it ain't no "real" truck... .



PB... . 'be "one" with your truck... .

 

[LV-CTD]

My brother always complains about all the newer trucks, especially the ovals and bowties with all the "PINK PANITES" they put on them. He says mine with all the toys is a "REAL TRUCK", just in it's sunday go to meetin clothes! Still, I wouldn't mind having a 2nd gen, but I just couldn't pass up the deal I got on my '93.



Tom

 

[JLEONARD]

Love the simplicity, love the square front end looks (remember the TV show "Simon and Simon?). Love the fact that I can tweak and modify it while not having to make payments.







BUT... . someday I'll find me a nice second gen... )

Shhhh.....

 

[Greenleaf]

Didn't they have a black/brown/rusty 4X4 with a lift kit and a grille guard?

 

[JLEONARD]

Yes... it was big, ugly, looked like it could smash thru a house...

Love that look!! Always gets the right of way at a 4 way stop!!

 

[1stgen4evr]

Dodge trucks

As you can see from my handle, I have no bias what so ever. I like the first gen because it pays me and not the other way around. I could have a newer truck in a snap. My brother has several and wants to sell me one. For the little more power his have, I can have for the price of a turn of the screw. But I don't even do that. Mine is strong enough in the box stock configuration to do all I want.



Several years ago I considered a 96. My salvage yard buddy commented that he hauls in more new vehicles than old ones. The only time I had a Cummins to let me down (walk) was the on/off solonoid on the 92. I have had maintanence a plenty. But I have around 850k miles total on these three Cummins trucks that I own. I plan to buy one or two for parts soon and will be useing them to be 1stgen4evr.



James

 

[CGauthier]

Originally posted by 1stgen4evr

As you can see from my handle, I have no bias what so ever.

James

Yea i saw that lol



Thanx for the replies guys... . and JLeonard we dont need no stinking 2nd Gens Well based on these replies im happy i got a 1st Gen (providing the kdp doesn't blow before i get to it!) cause i like to work on my own vehicles (except my 7. 3l ford in tha cube van, that thing makes me evil :devil: ) I love the looks too, 2nd gens look pretty nice too tho--they're both way better lookin than tha new ones IMHO... . Thanks guys



Carl

 

[CGauthier]

Originally posted by BushWakr

Ok, this is the only time I'm ever gonna admit this stuff... . but... .

The newer trucks with their leather seats, power hoochy poo's... etc. are nice... but it ain't no "real" truck... .



PB... . 'be "one" with your truck... .

That's a big 10-4



Btw do you play Yuri's Revenge? That "Be One" phrase totally reminds me of that game... . if you do maybe we should hook up for a game sometime



Carl

 

[DieselBuzz]

Why!?

Simple, (mostly)plentiful parts, not one in every driveway decked out with stickers and accessories, goes, carries, tows, wherever and whatever I throw at it.

 

[1 locomotive]

because of this board ??

I got my first deisel in sept 2003 ! 92 le extra cab 125,000 ,pac brake, banks stinger kit < 5speed ,2wheel drive < ex,cond. $7500

this truck is like new real nice ! after I got it , I keep thinking I should have got a 2 generation truck ! 4x4 ! BUT after becoming a tdr member < I am now totaly hooked on my truck < that I have all the parts ( including 4x4 getrag & 205, 4inch liftsprings< dana60 front ) I need to make it a 4x4 , I now have almost $10,000 in ! someday a nv4500, new wheels,& buckets seats !this should be all truck I willever need ! & i"m 50 years old !

because of this board & my brick truck I"m hooked !!! loco 1 OUT !

 

[JStraw]

1st Gen because its a real mans truck. How do I know this. Simple, my wife won't drive it. Its too harsh and has none of the essential vanity gear. That sums it up!!

 

[Power Wagon]

You've got to admit... I've got a 93, and my 93 is 31 years past the initial release of that truck design.



for being 31 years old, it's a pretty decent old truck.



And what's this about rattles? Only rattle mine has is generally stuff in the glove box.



And, if the rattles get to you, go with a straight pipe... .



Mark

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I love 1st gens... I've always loved them since before I got my first CTD... there's just something sexy about a 1st gen 1 ton with those "100% function" dually fenders... I loved my '91 D250!!



when I found my '97, if I could have found a square truck with this drivetrain for the same price, I would have been all over it!!



I love the square trucks, I just wish the came with 215 P pumps and NV4500's!



oh, and being 6'4", I definately like the added interior room on my '97 vs. my '91! (both single cabs) but I definately liked the underhood room on the '91!!



Forrest

 

[JLEONARD]

but I definately liked the underhood room on the '91

Yes... nice to work in there and... .

Nice to have that extra "space" between you and the other guy.

Jay