Considering adding a first gen. to the herd, any advice?

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I'll admit, I don't wander over here in the first gen. forum much, kinda reminds me of exploring in my great aunts storm celler as a kid #ad
Just kidding. Anyway, thinking of trading in my wife's woozie 98 V6 ram gasser for a pretty clean 92 first gen. I found, and possibly letting her take over the 95 as hers, while I make the first gen my next progect. The truck is a 92 club cab (unfortunatly only has jumper seat, not rear bench) red and white two tone. Auto (I know, but I've learned some tricks with makeing the auto last on my 95), cloth int. power windows and locks. The truck is super clean inside, and pretty staight outside, with the exception of some oxidation on the hood. It has 135,000 miles, #ad
just getting broke in. Anyway, any advice? I easily bombed my 95 with torque plate etc. but I know the rotary pump doesn't use one. Can I expect similar power increases with the pump adj. on the rotary pump? Also, wasn't there a year in there where Dodge used too big a turbo and the power sucked? Basically, I'm kicking around the idea of getting this truck 'cause it would have a little more room than the 95 and I could stick a brat back there if that situation arrises later as the ol' ball and chain hopes it does. Any ideas or things I should look for on this truck that's unique to first gen? Oh, ya, they have it priced at $9,900, but I'm prepared to haggle #ad


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95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed
"Layin' the 'SMOKEDOWN' on their ROOdy Poo CANDY GASSERS!"

 

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I think you may be better off with the auto in the early years from what I know. I have heard the autos in the early 2nd generation had some problems though. What tricks have you learned to make them last as I now have a truck with an auto. My last one was a 4x2 with manual that was startin to make some noise in fifth. Anyway from what I have learned on the website, the tps sometimes fails in the autos and most guys change fluid every year if towing. Lots of anecdotal about using amsoil in the trans. I will watch with interest what people say with respect to the turbo size and performance. I have heard the 93's were dogs compared to the older ones but my 2 93's are awesome with power, stock. I havent driven a 89 thru 92 to compare though. I love the jump seats. They fold out of the way for more room in the back and there are a couple posts for an aftermarket rear bench from Canada I think that is about 5 bills. Also a post saying a '95 rear seat will adapt to the 1st gens. Ill try to find these posts and let you know. My son loves riding sideways to be different. . good luck

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1993 d250 4X4, forrest green club cab, tonneau cover, tach, auto 3. 54. Honda shadow 1100, 1977 vw Bug

 

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Welcome to the world of rectangles.
Yes, the 92 has an exhaust side turbo of 21cm2; many have gone to 16cm2, others to smaller 12/14cm2, waste-gate solutions.
The pump can/must be tweaked to provide more fuel to work with the greater airflow.
A deal is going on to get those who want better injectors - see the "hot" message area below for background.
I kept the jump seats, but some folks have found the bench seats out of later models can be fitted into the 92.
Dodge may have a few "Super-Duty" transmission coolers left - I'll send the P/N if you want to add the third cooler to the other two for that A518 auto.

 

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Greengiant, nothing too spectacular on the auto tricks. Keep the fluid changed approximatly every 15,000 miles, which for me is about once every 6 months. The main thing, especially after bombing, is I ease off the throttle a bit when it shifts into gear and also when it shifts into lock-up. I know this sounds elementary, but you'd be surprised how many people keep it hammered to the floor. So far the 95 has just over 100,000 miles on the transmission, and there's never anything more in the pan than a little dust. I was wondering about putting a bench back there, and how hard that would be. Would have to put in seat belts too, of course.
DBF, so what you're saying is this is the year with sucky turbo action, huh? #ad
Dang, I was afraid of that. Does the bigger turbo help with egt after bombing, or is it just pretty much a POS that's gonna have to come off?
I really like this truck, just looking at it. I may take it for a test drive tomorrow, we'll see. I've always liked the looks of the first gen. definitely looks like a real truck.

 

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I have the truck on a 24 hour test drive (know the dealer pretty good). As I feared, the transmission is questionable. Shifts pretty good, but fluid stinks and is no longer red #ad
Truck runs great, however #ad
I can't get over how much quieter and smoother it is than my 95. Pump definitly needs turning up, it's pretty sluggish. Starts easier than my 95 too, smooths out faster. Keep your fingers crossed, if me and the car dealer can come to terms, I think I'll definitly be adding this one to the Ram herd.

 

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danandme. .
Thank you for the info on the transmission. . Sounds like a good idea. . I will be looking forward to hearing if you got the 92... They sure do look like a truck...