89 vs 93

[Blackcloud]

I'm going to go look at a 89 250 4x4 in the morning. What kinds of things should I be looking for (problem wise). I still have 1 and had a different 93 truck,so I have some ideas about 1st gen trucks,but not one of this vintage. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks...



Or,is a truck of this age even worth looking at,even if the price is cheapish?

 

[dpuckett]

Originally posted by Blackcloud

I'm going to go look at a 89 250 4x4 in the morning. What kinds of things should I be looking for (problem wise). I still have 1 and had a different 93 truck,so I have some ideas about 1st gen trucks,but not one of this vintage. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks...



Or,is a truck of this age even worth looking at,even if the price is cheapish?

Depends on your BOMBing desires. The intercooled trucks are much more BOMBable- stronger head gasket, smaller injector holes- not as much cracking b/t the hole and intake valve seats. Some of the parts from the later first gens will carry over from the seond gen trucks easier than the early ones (turbos, injector tips are 7mm). If you intend to stay at or near stock, or at most, put a Banks kit on it, then they are good trucks. Of course, price always plays a part. They are no less dependable than the newer ones overall, though. Still better than anything else out there. I wont own another non intercooled truck, unless the price is low enough for me to upgrade everything.



Daniel

 

[rowland]

Owning an '89 truck that I have mostly converted over to a '93 (transmission, head, injectors, intercooler) I guess I can comment. All of what dpuckett said is true, however the stock '89 turbo housing is slightly smaller than the later models which is nice, and the stock injectors are MUCH nicer. The pre intercooleds seem to respond better to simple pump tweaks without stepping up to POD's. Going to PWs was actually a significant step back.



The biggest drawback IMO is the lack of O/D on the autos. Its not bad around town but not terribly fun on the freeway. Otherwise the basic truck is pretty much the same as a '93 with all the same issues and problems. Finding parts can be fun, "..... Dodge made trucks in '89?" is typical.



Isaac