evolution

[evldsl]

"Man" I bet the first gen's are feeling it. ( dated that is) :-laf

 

[DPKetchum]

I still miss my 93 W250. I like it better then the one in my sig for some reason. It seemed easier to manuver in tight areas and tougher. Maybe its the dually fenders. Really can't stand them. In the way of the bed and getting into tight spots. Also the height of these new trucks has NOT grown on me. The 03 stops better and is quiet which the wife likes but I LIKED the sound of a good running 12 valve. I also LIKED a real quad cab over a four door. The 03 tows better. Oh well.

 

[PToombs]

Yeah, I "dated" a 3rd gen a few weeks ago. He wasn't happy eatin' smoke! :-laf

 

[DPKetchum]

My modded 93 was faster but did not tow the same weight as well power wise.

 

[CLamb]

I have a 2000 3500 and a 92 W250 that has 305K on it. I actually really like the old truck better, its slower, uglier, but for some reason I really like it lol. I think once I get some paint on it I might sell the 2000 .

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I've got a new 06 that the wife drive but I honestly like my 01 better because I am more comfortable in it. I really wish I still owned my 93 though, that was one tough truck.

 

[rumblefish]

Man, I feel really dated since my truck that I gave $3500 for gets 23mpg.....

 

[FATCAT]

"Man" I bet the first gen's are feeling it. ( dated that is) :-laf

Lets see if these new fangled e-lec-tronic gizmo engins can do this !!!

 

[Greenleaf]

I can only comment on the fleet of Cummins engines here at the school. The newer the engine, the less reliable it is. No brag, just fact.

 

[DPKetchum]

Agree! More rpm's tuirned and more electronics

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMmmm - paid 18K for my '91 out the door - cost $12 in actual failed parts in 11 years and 120K miles - NEVER left me embarrassed or stalled alongside the road... Dependable as an anvil... Never saw the insides of the dealership service department other than normal transmission service. $1 a year for replacement parts ain't bad!



NAHHhhh - I think the 1st genners are handling the strain just fine, as they consider:



VP-44

Death wobble

New brakes every 12K miles or so in the early 2nd gennie trucks

Rapid failure of U-joints and balljoints in later generations



The list goes on - but you get the picture - on my '91, all the "extras" I carried for peace of mind was an extra 50 gallon in-bed fuel tank in RVing travels - on my current '02, I carry an $1100 spare VP-44, a spare Carter Lp, and a spare Carter Pusher - and a tool chest full of tools...



Anyone seeing the pattern here? :-laf :-laf

 

[RustyJC]

Gary,



... and my 02 has never been back to the dealer for anything, nor has it left me on the side of the road. Original LP, original VP44, etc. Go figger, I guess.



Rusty

 

[Greenleaf]

anyone seeing the pattern here? :-laf :-laf

ROF!!



I hate to see the newer buses go on the long trips. I have been lucky in the least. All the engine failures are local, thus far. Not to mention transmission failures (Allison 2000 series)



I had a 1989 Cummins quite on the road one day. I drove out to the location and reinstalled the wire back onto the IP solenoid

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Come on guy's let's be fair! I loved my 93, in fact I'd still love to own it, but in all actuality, it got the same mileage as my 01 and 06, it rode like an absolute buck board and the injection pump went out at about 120,000 miles, heck my VP is still going strong at 163,000 miles. The first gen needed the rotors turned every 20-40,000 miles, the automatic was weak, did I mention the ride was terrible. I agree they were the last of the real trucks, I once put 5,000 lbs of dirt in the back and than just took the edge off the ride and with 180,000 miles every part in the front end was original and the steering was tighter than my second gen when it was new. I loved my 1st gen, it had character but my 2nd gen is more reliable and that's a fact

 

[dpuckett]

I've had my fair share of problems with the 1st gnes I've had, usually due to lack of maintenance by previous owners (longest I've kept one is 2years) they are easier to work on, manual transmissions are better and tougher (at least all the gears are in the case) than the newer 5speeds. Looking at a 3rd Gen in my g/f's shop a couple weeks ago, and seeing the tiny ball joints on the 4x4s (smaller than the ball joints on my 2wd 1st Gen, which I think are marginal), plus all the electronic gizmos, I'll keep my 1st Gen. Plus, it is kinda becoming a classic. Still keeps up with the new ones, and even though it needs pump work, gets close to the same MPGs as many of them.



Consider this- I'll have almost $6k in my 1st gen getting it all back up to par, paint included. I can drive it for 5 years, and still have a $6K pickup. Can you pay $40K for a new one, and still have a $40K truck in 5 years? I think not.



Daniel

 

[hotram03]

Well, back in Jan. I also became a member of the 1st Gen club, I still have my '03 as well, I love the look of the 1st Gens, yeah maybe it does ride alittle rough, no the VE pumps got 164,792 and still going, and yes I love this ole truck more than my '03, and I've had 4 people try and buy it, I also get more complments on it than I do my '03, but I like'em both, take care of what ya got and it should give good service, maybe not always, both hopefully we all will fall into the 1st Category. just my 2c... .

 

[crobertson1]

This is a great thread.



I love to take the 1st gen out. It sits around alot while it waits to go into action when my oldest turns 16 in a year and a half. It always amazes me that after sitting for a month, how quickly it fires up. I think the engine only cranks about one revolution and then it's running, and raring to go. It seems like it does get a lot of looks and even some thumbsups.



The 3rd gen is sure nice to drive though too! The power and comfort is in another world compared to the first gen. I guess I just need to learn how to make some adjustments on the 1st gen.