Approaching the point of no return Advice Please

[jjohn]

Hello TDR I just rejoined after a year. I have been trying to sell my 1990 w250 with 155k miles for a couple of months now, no luck. I only have had one real serious buyer and he ended up buying a 93 truck that had air conditioning and 50K fewer miles for $4000 more than mine. To be honest with you as much as I would like a new truck Fixing up this one appeals to me more. I bought this 1990 three and a half years ago at 90K miles for $11,000 I have put another $7000 into it over and above general lube/filter and fluid maintenance. The truck is stock other than the Gear Venders OD. Soon after I bought the truck I went to Rocky Mountain Cummins and had a condition test done on their Dyno. It did great so I started spending money on the truck. Over time, a new steering gear $700 installed, Gear venders OD + drive line work about $2600 installed myself. New leaf spring bushings re-arched springs added leaf in rear (as if it didn’t ride stiff enough already) $500. All new rotors Drums brake pads and master cylinder $1200. I found a used Wildernest exspandable fiberglass camper shell for $1400. Also new Tires and windshield and can’t get $10,500 for it.

SO… now to my point, Instead of giving it away to get a 2002 (extended cab would be nice with an 8 year old) I was thinking about putting even more money into it. This is what I was thinking. . Kelderman Air Suspension

$1600

Having the Transmission and transfer case gone threw $?????

New 3. 5” (3” by transfer case )exhaust system from local shop who does Very nice work $700. Espar heater $1500. Minor dings fixed and fresh paint $3500 - $5000 ????

And although I am not having any problems yet I’m sure the injection pump and turbo will demand some investment soon enough.

Banks Intercooler? after market turbo? Better cooling system? Gauges? Am I nuts what do you guys think, What Approach would you take? I can afford to put about $10,000 in it right away how would you prioritize in my place? Thanks in advance.

http://jjohn3. home. mindspring.com/1990Dodge.jpg #ad

 

[R.E. Miller]

Don't worry!

I feel the same way. I'll sit and look at the nice new 24vers and say now that would be nice, but then look at what I have and say aside from the interior what isn't nice about the first gens? I want to totally fix-up my 1-ton dump and put it back to a pick-up... . now that is nuts, and if I do all of that, I will spend more then what a new one costs or be real close



My point is if your truck isn't rusted out, bent to all smell, fundamentally detonated, and you like it other then the fact that you want to do some things to it ... . why not? I think that there are two types of owners out there, ones that rotate trucks at a certian year or mileage, and ones that either keep them running forever or run them into the ground. I like to keep them running



Where to start is another difficult question, but I would look at the whole truck and determine what is most likely to fail the first and start there, and if that means that you can BOMB that replacement part then, well all the better

 

[Case500D]

jjohn,



It sounds like you are facing the same delima I find myself facing at times. My dad and I paid $12,000 for my '92 with 145,000 miles in 1998 (I have since bought it from him). Since then I have had to redo the brakes, repair a leak in the radiator, new tires, new exhaust, normal lube and maintenance, redo one rear axle seal and brakes, replace one emergency brake cable, replace both sets of front wheel bearings, front axle u-joints and seals, four wheel drive hubs, rear u-joints, and replace the vaccuum booster's vaccuum hose. It seems like an endless battle at times. But underneath it all there is a still a great truck. It sounds like you have a very good foundation to finish building a truck tailored to your needs. I have decided to keep mine come heck or high water. Mainly because I know what I have in it and the work that has been done to it. I also know I can't get the wonderful 4 wheel drive setup and the perfect work truck that we have anymore. Plus if you buy a newer used truck, you will still be making repairs, just with 2nd gen parts. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about the turbo or the pump yet. They ought to keep going. I used to work for a fella with a '90 D-250 that has 350,000 miles on the original pump, turbo, and 727 transmission. It is an abused truck, but it keeps right on going. I would go for guages, exhaust, and a free flowing air filter. Sorry about the long post, but hang in there.

 

[jjohn]

Thanks for the replies guys, Its nice to know I not alone in my thinking. I know BOMB means performance upgrade. Is BOMB an acronym for something? Performance of course is in the back of my mind. I do however want to do it smart. That means I have got to do my homework to get up to speed on what my options are. Also how much I can do myself. I need to learn about turned up pumps, different injectors and how much hotter they run. These 90 models don’t have the greatest cooling systems. I have been scanning the posts looking for Ideas. I want reliability for a everyday driver rather than a temperamental hot rod.

 

[Lil' Dog]

B.O.M.B.

Coined by a former member of the TDR, and buddy of mine well know for his air system in the 2nd gen trucks. SCOTTY.



Better off Modified Baby!!!



J-eh

 

[RamAZ]

I'm keppin mine

I have a 92 that I bought for 10K a couple of years ago. There is no way that I'm getting rid of it, It has 98K miles on the odometer and is just getting broken in good.



I spent 3-4K on getting things the way I wanted - gauges (4), centramatic wheel balancers, active supension- for when carring camper, Michlean XPS's (5), new radiator, hoses and thermostat, new lift pump, new TPS and distance senser. Distance senser helped the shifting to OD, now it is rock solid.



I had to have the front gear housing replaced a couple of months ago, kinda expensive, but cummins southwest did a great job. Other than normal maintenance the truck has performed exceptional.



Best of all. there is little or no electronics that has the check engine light going off.



I keepin this one. alot better than a gasser.



Jim

 

[jjohn]

RamAz

RamAz

Whats the story on the active suspention, (Brand details) and also the centramatic wheel balancers. Thanks jjohn

 

[f.boyle]

Jjohn

The centramatics for our trucks are $199 set you can check them out at www.centramatic.com ours are the 300 or 400 series I e-mailed them they'll tell you what you want to know

Frank

 

[f.boyle]

more centramatic info

you can e-mail Jerry Robertson at centramatic- -- email address removed --

-or-

call 1-800-523-8473 ask for Jerry

Thats what they said when I e-mailed them hope I helped Frank

I'm planing on getting a set