Buying a '93 W250

[Wiredawg]

Before you read about my "new to me" truck, can anyone summarize the issues w/ the 93s w/ 5spd transmission? Thanks.



Now, for the res of the story:



Welp, I'm now going to complete my set of 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen trucks w/ the purchase of this '93 W250 Club Cab 4X4 5spd LE w/ 127K miles. It's green and champagne colored, but the roof and hood paint is badly weathered. Body has a few dents that look like hail, but the engine and mechanical condition on this truck is sweet and everything works. I'm buying from the original owner who keeps a complete maint log. The truck is strong and rides like a truck. It has year old tires, new brakes and 40K miles on an after market clutch. Man, you can't slip this one very easy, it likes to grab.



I'm going to keep the truck stock for near term. I take delivery on 1 Jun so I'll be posting here too as questions come up.



BTW, any good replacement HP muffler that replaces the stock one. OK, maybe one little upgrade.



Happy to be(coming) a 1st Gen owner,



Wiredawg

 

[Philip]

"Muffler"



Most of us throw them away. :-laf :-laf

 

[Greenleaf]

Some guys like a performance aka "straight through" muffler. It would be the same as any other muffler for a second or third gen rig.



Many items listed in a vendors parts inventory are labled for use as 1994-1998 etc. etc. however many items will and do fit just fine for the REAL body style.



A few examples



Turbos

12 valve exhaust manifold

Steering Column (gauge) POD

Fuel fill cap

Etc.

Etc.

Etc

Etc.



Vendors simply don't want "Us Guys" darkening their door steps. We have obtained the "Black Sheep" status more so now as our horse power technology has increased threefold.



GL

 

[BHiggins]

5 speed Getrag problems

I've had two first gen trucks, and the issue with the Getrag 5 speed is with the input shaft bearing. My first 1st gen went over 300,000 miles on the original transmission, I sold it last year and as far as I know it's still going strong. My second 1st gen needed to be re-built at 70,000 miles by the first owner, and again at 78,000 miles by me (I had only had the truck for two weeks and about 300 miles before the trans let go). The drastic difference in milage before a re-build tells me that driving style has at least something to do with the longevity of the Getrag (don't "lug" 5th gear... or any gear for that matter).

The design of the Getrag has a major flaw, the race for the input shaft bearing is machined into the input shaft and is not able to be replaced, so if the bearing goes bad, you have to replace the entire input shaft. Many TDR members will tell you the preventive "fix" is to over fill the trans 1. 5 quarts, and always use synthetic 5w30 engine oil.



Hope this helps,

Brian

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks guys. I'm real anxious to get a hold if this baby. Is the killer dowel pin an issue on the 93s?



Thanks, Wiredawg

 

[CGauthier]

My '93 the timing pin slid back a little over 1/8" at about 110 k miles. Everybody's doin their kdp's so you might as well too lol I gather you owned one of those newer(which doesn't mean better) models before this? If you don't know the first genners man, yer about to find out what you been missin



Carl G

 

[RGuzzo]

the input shaft on the getrag 360 is the same unlike the output shaft on both the 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive so there is an abundant supply for the time being. I do overfill the getrag with an elbow fitting using Redline MTL and havent had a problem but If I may ask what is the upgraded bearing kit and who makes it and is any additional machining involved?

 

[Wiredawg]

Yep Carl, I'm breaking new ground here w/ the 1st gen. I have to tell you I love my 2nd and 3rd gens, they each have unique qualities that makes them special. I look to have the same special attatchment to the 1st gen.



to ramble on a little more, I'll be repainting the beast sometime in the future. I can see going back w/ original green/champagne colors or go wild and paint it bright red-orange (Ford Splashes had this almost flouresent color).



Anyway, thanks for the info. I'll see what fluids were replaced when and plan on replacing getrag w/ synthetic and overfilling it as recommended. I have a Scotty 1 that I'm going to see if I can install on it too.



Thanks for welcoming me into the fold and look foreward to more to learning and sharing info on these great trucks in the future.



C-Ya, Wiredawg

 

[Paychk]

but If I may ask what is the upgraded bearing kit and who makes it and is any additional machining involved?

I think the upgrade bearing replaces the pilot bushing that is in the stock flywheel. Yes machining of the flywheel is necessary; bearing # QU51010 and is available from here:





http://quad4x4.com/Dodge Engine & Clutch.htm

 

[DieselBuzz]

I believe the input bearing race that BHiggins was talking about is inside the transmission where the input and output shafts meet. I don't think there is an "upgrade" kit, maybe a rebuild kit is what is being referred to.

On E-Bay there is a company that goes by the shortened name of "ZBag" they have the rebuild kit for about $100 and the input shaft with the counter gears as a set for around $300, these are the gears that most commonly go. This is where I got my parts, I paid more for shipping to get it to me faster, they were helpful and we will see how they hold up. I have no interrest in the company, I am just sharing what I have found to be my cheapest solution.

Best of luck to you with the new rig Wiredawg and welcome to the 1st Gen world.

 

[Paychk]

'93 W250 LE 4X4,5spd getrag with upgraded bearing kit,overfilled by 1. 5 qt 3. 54's L/S, regular cab,Napa BHAF, 75w140 synthetic in fr. and rear axles... 188,000 km, Isspro EV-series guages (tach, pyro&booSt), KDP Dead (Thanks Philip,Greenleaf & Jeremy ) Carl G

I think R. Guzzo was referring to the above sig line... from CGauthier's post

 

[CGauthier]

I think R. Guzzo was referring to the above sig line... from CGauthier's post

Oh... while my uncle still owned the truck, just after warranty passed he started having trouble with the trans, so for $1800 they rebuilt it with these so called upgraded bearings, which were supposed to be alot better. I'll give him a call one o these days and try to find out more...



Carl G