Can I Go From a 2nd Gen to a 1st Gen??

[dthollis]

I've had my '96 Club Cab 2500 4x4 since 1997 and it is a great truck...comfortable, reliable, good looking, Goerend transmission, TST plate, etc. Planned on keeping it forever. Now to my problem I need to solve.



My 75 year old dad has a '90 W250 LE Cummins sitting in his garage with 54,000 miles on it that he bought new that he wants to give to me. The truck is like new, but it is what it is... rough riding and crude. It is bone stock with the exception of a Kelderman air ride system, but it still is a rough rider, 160HP, 3. 07 gears etc. But it is cool and has sentimental value too.



I know that no one can make my decision, but has anyone here successfully gone from 1st gen to 2nd gen and then back to 1st gen? Having both trucks is not an option. I've got too much junk already and if I push it, I'll have to buy my wife something.



Looking forward to your comments and suggestions.



David Hollis

Springfield,IL

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I couldn't... my first truck was a 1st gen, and I'm about to buy my 4th 2nd gen.



I realize it's got sentimental value, but I say you and your dad should put it up on ebay. With the low miles, it will fetch a pretty penny. Then you should plan on how to enjoy the money together!



you'll want to mess with it and get more power out of it, and it will never be worth more than it is right now

 

[dpuckett]

I find myself that I can get used to the rough ride. Is the ride ROUGH or STIFF? There is a difference, though my girlfriend will tell you differently.



I'd keep the 1stGen, but then again, I like the mechanical engines, and the simplicity under the hood.



DP

 

[JLEONARD]

I never did like the ride of the 1st gen 4x4s so if it were me I would not go back. The newer trucks are much more comfy.

 

[KMUNCASTER]

here's an idea

Hey there. .

here's an idea to ponder. Bear with me and consider my story..... I have purchased 2 "retired" or "family" trucks now, and still have both at home. The previous owners did not want to see them get ruined or have them go to someone that didn't REALLY WANT them, but had no use for them any longer.



The first is a Chev 6. 2 2wd 1986 that was a one owner, and the fella passed away, was a customer of mine, and his wife said the truck was his pride and joy, although it was a farm truck and needed some love, it was in great shape. I bought it from her and have loved it for 4 years now, and have kept in touch with her and her son, sent her a thank you and several pics of the old rig, all cleaned up and cared for. She was thrilled, and said Jack would have wanted it that way. Old blue has become part of the family... . and will always be... .



The second is my 93 W250, the fella had no longer any use for it and sold it to me, with a personal letter telling me all that he knew about the truck, he and his wife called "Black Angus", and talked about how they would miss it. I promised him that it would be well taken care of. Same deal, I took it in, cleaned and freshened it up, and put the old goat to work. I love it and will not part with it, ever...



ok, so I'm a bit of a nut when it comes to old trucks, but so are many of the guys and girls on this (1st gen) site... and most members would love to give your dad's old truck a good home. if he was willing to see it leave the family, at least here it would still be no further away than the TDR forum.....



There are still a few of us that have grown to love (?) the ride of the old goats and can stand it just so we can pull up to the coffee shop, or swap meet, or cruise nite, park beside a new $60,000 duramax or powerstroke and steal the attention with our old Fargo... . nothing beats that feeling...



If you ever consider letting it go, think of us, here on TDR, as family... .



Kev

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'd keep the 1stGen, but then again, I like the mechanical engines, and the simplicity under the hood.



DP

you know a 2nd gen 12v is a mechanical engine, right? it just makes a lot more power and has an even stronger, more reliable injection pump

 

[Rebel Ram]

I started with an 01 brand new off the lot. I still have it. It was my first cummins. I had been dreaming of having one since 1988 when they first came out. It took that long for me to get into a position to own one. Three years ago I got the bug for a first gen because I found myself on the first gen forums more than the ones pertaining to my truck. They seemed to have more fun. I found a reg cab 1 ton near chicago on ebay and won it. I probably paid to much but it was a fun adventure. Since then i got a 4X4 farm truck beat to death that I am still working on to get back to shape mechanicaly. I drive 30 miles each way too work every day. I drive the 92 or 93 95% of the time. I just love them. But thats me. My Brother still has our "Dads" truck. 66 Chev 3/4 ton camper special bought new. BTW Your defenition of "Junk" needs some..... adjustment.

 

[Niki]

Drive them both back to back on the highway and on a bumpy road and base your decision on that. The club cab 96 is going to be light years ahead in the comfort and cab space department. I've had both and will honestly say I prefer first gens, although a second gen is more comfortable. I also paid a lot less for my first gens than I did for my second gen. In your case, if that 90 is really clean you can get a lot of money for it on ebay, maybe even more than you can get for your 96.

 

[RSchwarzli]

The biggest question is stick or auto? If it is a 90 auto, be mindful that you will never be going anywhere fast with that 3 speed. About 70 MPHish flat out and howling!



Robert



P. S. My opinion, both have their bonuses. I know, see my sig for the franken truck!Oo.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

if it's got 3. 07 gears, I'm assuming it's an auto... a governor spring will definately help top speed ability



but, my vote is still to put it up for sale if it's cherry

 

[Kiohio]

I started out with a 3rd gen, 2003 QC 4x4 6spd.

Went to a 1st gen, 1989 4x4 auto.

Now I have a 2nd gen, 1996 4x4 auto cc.

I driven them all LOL.

Nothin drives handles etc like my 3rd gen.

My 1st gen is like a tractor, it drives like one handles like one but is as reliable as one also.

The 2nd is a good compromise between the 1st and 3rd.

If I were you I would not replace the 2nd gen with the 1st gen.

I would use the first gen like a show car or a toy.

If that isn't in the cards, as others have said I would sell it on ebay.



KO

 

[CKeck]

I did, i went from a 1999 2500 4x4 short quadcab to a 1993 W250 longbed club cab, I still have both but prefere the 93 over the 99, The 93 does ride rough but so does the shortbed 99, i fell less wore out in the 93 then the 99 on long trips. The difference in power is hard to get away from but i don't have to worry about the 93 leaving me on the side of the road like the VP44 equiped 99.

 

[DieselBuzz]

Put new skyjacker 2. 5s front springs on it if you want to have it ride better. It may never be like a 2nd gen but it will be a whole lot better.

 

[MEby]

If I didnt dislike the interiors of the first gens so much I would drive one of them instead of a what I currently have.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

if I didn't dislike the lack of legroom, the anemic performance, and the glass transmissions, I'd definately prefer a 1st gen

 

["Mad Max"]

I love my first gen. I think it has more room than a 2nd gen, especially leg room, is easier to see out of, and it's simple. It's also 'cool' - not many around and has character. I actually very much like the 1st gen interiors verses the 2nd gens.

- M2

 

[Forrest Nearing]

not sure what trucks you've been in, but the 1st gen has a lot less interior/leg room. lack of "cab forward" design



I had a 91 and my legs were touching the dash while I drove... my 97 had a TON more room

 

[CKeck]

Maybe the regualer cabs, but my 1993 Club cab has plenty of leg room, more then the 99 quad cab i have since the dash isn't so huge, plus i agree with Mad Max my 1993 fells like it is larger inside then my 1999. You diffetnly get a whole lot more tumbs up and lookers in a 1st gen then the 2nd-3rd gens, since theres not a 1st gen every 1/2 mile like the later trucks.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Opinions are alike- - - - Well you know. Every body has one.



I have a 97 and a 93 and a 93 and a 92. The stock ride on the first gen is definitely hard on the spine. That can be completely corrected with air bags (not Kelderman). I love all my trucks.



I would say that you ought to buy the wife something like a good book. I would NOT let a truck with that mileage slip out of my grasp.



James

 

[dpuckett]

I have to agree with Forrest Nearing AND Mad Max- they are both right. I drove a regular cab for almost 4 years, and the leg room was lacking, even after a seat swap that put me up about 1-1/2" higher.



But, I got my club cab with the bucket seats, and I have a lot more room up front than my buddy has in his 97 1/2ton (I know, not a CTD, but same body and interior as a 2ndGen). Storage behind the seats isnt as much as a 2nd Gen, but I'd just have more stuff to sort through in a bigger cab.



I like the 1stGens better, esp when slightly modified. Mine wont outrun anyone off the line (slow shifting Getrag), but it will hold its own hauling anything down the highway.



Daniel