89 2wd 4 sale.

[Jeff H]

I just happened to see a 89 w350 with a cummins. It was a 2 wheel drive with a automatic trany. Sticker on side of truck says it has a kelderman air ride. Must be for the front axle. No air ride on the rear. It is so tempting. I wanna get rid of my 92 jimmy.

Truck looks very clean.

Miles unknown didn't spend much time looking at it.

Has pulled a 5th wheel.

They are asking $5997.

Is the price fair?

 

[Kernel]

That's the price I would pay for a 4x4, but 2wd I don't know, it's just what you want. There's a couple of threads going around about what to look for on the first gens, have you seen them? Some good info on there. I recently bought a forty footer (looks good a forty feet but the closer you get the worse it gets ). I tell you, I hope I keep it for a while.



Scott

 

[1stgen4evr]

a good buy?

I bought an 89 two wheel drive a couple of months ago for 3000. Could have gotten it for less but was helping a widow woman settle the estate and didn't have the heart to hammer on the price.



You can tell how many miles on the truck if you know what to look for. But being an 89 there are things you can not change without lots of work and at least some money. It will cost a good deal of time and money to get an OD in the truck and you will never be satisfied with the road speed without the OD.



Look for a 92 or 93. It will have the intercooler and OD. It will have an improved head and injectors.



You mentioned that it is w350. W is for fwd D is for twd. Got to be a D350 if it is twd.



Keep looking or offer 2500 and you can upgrade with the difference if he takes your offer.



There is one really good thing about the 89. It doesn't have a computer to screw up. Two actually since it has the Cummins.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[dpuckett]

Unless it is in really good shape, (I mean, no oil leaks, everything works like new, no more than minor scrathes in the bed, no fading paint, interior near new, etc), I'd say the guy (or gal) is in no real hurry to sell it. I'd offer $4000, tops, less if it has anything wrong with it.



I'd say look for another pickup, unless it has the upgraded head, radiator, etc. The lack of intercooling isnt so bad in itself- mine is probably closing in on 250hp- but they do run hotter, have smaller radiators, head will have the infamous cracks if it has towed at all. Injectors will most likely need redone, along with a few other minor things. And since it is an 89, you dont know if it should be a 1, 2, or 3 in front of the mileage, and you'l have to modify the grille to intercool it. HOwever, you do have an external volt regulator; newer ones are PCM controlled. BTDT, no fun.



Good luck and happy haggling.

 

[Kernel]

Amen to the road speed comment. I max out at 75mph and with a straight pipe and no tach, I can tell she's givin' 'er all she's got . For simple cruising up and down back roads and through the city the 3 spd is nice but on the highway it's just not enough gears. None the less, I can't complain, that is until the transmission takes a dump .



Scott

 

[Jeff H]

Thanks guys. I'm not looking for big power. Just better fuel economy. A 350 is way more than I need.

My 95 gets about the same mileage as the s15 jimmy with the 4. 3. I was thinking maybe just get a 94 with 300k oon it. Just a 2 wheeler and extened cab. Not real desperate. But keeping an eye out.

 

[Greenleaf]

Just spoke with a local CTD jokey. He got his '93 W250 w/212K on the clock for $4,500.



-S

 

[pepecat]

'89 woes?

I have an '89 and came across this thread as I was looking for info on a good tire choice, and well come to find out my truck probably has a cracked head, needs a bigger radiator and goes too slow! Well I can deal with the speed at this point, but where should I look for the "infamous head cracks"?? And injectors? my truck seems to run out just fine, and has no leaks of any kind, (save for the rear axle seal which I'm fixing) and just turned 150,000 miles. I know this because I have the documentation from the orig. owner (I'm the second) and the carfax checked out perfect. I can tell that it has been well taken care of and the interior is immaculate & original. did I pay too much at 5000? probably a little but it's hard to find good trucks out here in southern california. What are the best things I can do maint. wise to prepare for the next 100,000? Does it really need a new head?!?!

sorry for the long post

Nick

 

[1stgen4evr]

a new head?

Only if it gives trouble. If it "ain't broke don't fix it". If you have not had troucble with the radiator as it relates to your type of dirving, here again, don't fix it.



The head and injectors are given to some problems but you may never experience any. The cracks that do occur are around the injector hole/s in the cylinder area. You can not see them without removing the head. You may never have a crack.



Don't mess around with a leaking rear axle seal, especially if you have the 3:07 rear ratio. If you damage a ring and pinion, you will be sol for parts. You would however like an OD transmission.



If you paid 5 for it and like it, you didn't pay too much. If it is clean and you drive it the expected 500k miles, you can do all that you ever have to as to repairs and it will still be the least expensive ride you will ever own.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[dpuckett]

Nope, cant see the cracks unless you take the head off. ANd if you are at or near stock, it might never be an issue. I am running mine with the cracks in it and have had no problems in that area.



If the seal is on the axle end where the wheel hubs are, go ahead and replace it. If it is the pinion seal, leave it till it leaves a trail a blind man can follow.



Considering the age and miles, it sounds like you got a decent enough deal on the truck, esp if it was maintained as well as you say it was. I have my rusy turd (in the eloquent words of bgilbert ) listed for $3950 and it has been run hard, beaten and abused. Just the way I like them- that way I know she can take it.



-DP

 

[pepecat]

Great Thanks for the replies. My axle seal leak is at the hub. I love my cummins and I am 23 years old and think that these old trucks have a lot more character than the newer ones IMO. They're unique! I hope that this truck will go 500K miles, and with TDR it sure will be a lot less painful maintenence wise.

Nick

 

[Paychk]

Get it right before you go to bombing it, especially if funds are tight. In other words make sure that all the known problem areas are looked to first. They can be found at the top of the page in the stickies.

 

[bgilbert]

Looked like a sweet rig for $5k. Check out my 89 I paid $5500 for, before any mods. Stole my 91 for $4000, sorry Ivan if you're reading this. DP's 1 ton hx-35 equipped, new head gasket for $3950 is a REAL steal.