First genners must be nuckin' futs

[JLEONARD]

You know I'm right about this.







Actually it's kind of funny, to me at least, when you step back and take a 10,000 mile view of a lot of our threads... most of our trucks creak, grunt, groan, vibrate, cough, sputter, and oh yes, shimmy, and make every other noise imaginable to man.

Frame parts crack, shear, rust out, fall off.

Tires shake, brakes stick, dash lights stay on then black out without warning, the cabs sometimes take on water like a camel, door seals leak, and heaters don't heat.

Yet we still love em when that Cummins breathes to life!! We put all the rest of the faults out of our mind after that first shot of black smoke and we're gone!!



We are truly a bunch of nuckin' futs!!



bdip, bdip, bdip Jay

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I love my 2nd gen, but I sure miss the big ole "BLAT" and the puff of smoke my old 1st gen would belt out when it started up...



I made so many innocent people jump when I started that thing...



I love my 215 P pump and my NV4500, but if I could have found a 1st gen with this drivetrain, I woulda been all over it!



Forrest

 

[tugboatphil]

The day I went to see my "first love" was a great one. An unusually cool day, in July, in Norfolk, Virginia. An old fella from Tennessee was selling his D-250 because it didn't have a Club Cab. He'd just gotten a ticket for hauling his grandkids around in the back (like we all did when I was a kid!) I did a quick walkaround and we were off for the test drive.



It was like being behind the wheel of a Class 8 truck! How in the world did I not think about a Cummins before that? She pulled as strong and as quick as I could have imagined. I never negotiated price at all. She was a 90, and it was 1994. She was right at 103k miles. I paid $9400 and never once regretted it.



Scariest thing that ever happened was the driveshaft support bearing went out on me. Made the worst racket I'd ever heard. I couldn't figure it out, so ended up taking it to the shop. One drove and the other rode in the bed with his ear to it (why hadn't I thought of it. ) Bought the bearing and beat the old one off. Took the stub shaft back and had them press it on.



Worst thing was when my good ol' 3. 07 rear end went out. It turned into steel salad at 304k. Well... . there was also the time that my transmission exploded at 232k. Bad thing is, by the time I can hear something wrong, it's usually way past being too late!!



As long as I know the source of the creaks and groans, I don't even notice them. I'd never go back to a gasser. And who'd have thought that there were as many folks out there just like me (well, the truck thing anyway



And is it me, or don't you all think that we're just a little bit better than the 2nd and 3rd genners?



Phil

 

[formula]

Originally posted by tugboatphil

... . turned into steel salad... ...

:-laf :-laf Don't say that too loud around my truck.



Hey, Jay... ... . just think, we also own boats But at least yours has a Cummins in it. Mine is faster though



Sean

 

[CDegner]

What do you mean think that we're just a little better? I think we KNOW.



Bought mine in January of 95 with 91K for $10,250. The guy I bought it from still owed $9900 on it. Everyone thought I was nuts for buying something with that many miles. I used it for 4 years to pull a 24' Grady White. Heck, I'm trying to figure out how I can buy a wrecked 4X4 to fix up right now. Yeah, like I'll get that one by the wife!! Maybe after I get the house painted, baseboards installed, the upstairs remodelled, the new garage built ... yada, yada, yada ...



Carl

Originally posted by tugboatphil

And is it me, or don't you all think that we're just a little bit better than the 2nd and 3rd genners?



Phil

 

[Case500D]

That's why I own two of them

Well I guess I have the bad habbit worse than some. I went from a W-250 with 160K (currently at 208K) and added a W-350 ext. cab with 286K. I now know how to turn up a VE pump, turn down a VE pump, adjust valves, service everything under or on a 1st gen, change wheel bearings, change master cylinders (numerous time), rebuild the brake system, add rear discs, change vacuum boosters, change u-joints, drive home without the rear driveshaft by using four wheel drive, change radios, rebuild rear ends, change numerous oil seals, add straight pipe(s), replace lockout hubs, rewire and remove someone elses crappy wiring jobs, the pucker factor of loosing lights at 10:00pm with a horse trailer on 1. 5 hrs from home, getting unstuck numerous time b/c my ego said a 1st gen W-350 can make it through that little mud hole with a full load of firewood in the back and then pull myself out and get stuck again within a 100 feet (DOH!!!). The very best one is convincing the wife that a W-250 is a much better vehicle than a new VW TDI Passot. Can't pull a goosenck with one of those. I have hauled horses, mules, tractors, mowers, cars, backhoes, hay, straw, manure, Christmas trees, firewood, bricks, rocks, sand, lumber, etc. It is still the best feeling to have a 2nd or 3rd gen owner look one of my 1st gen trucks up and down and ask how many miles and say "Man, that thing sounds good, hope mine lasts that long".



Jeremy

Buying 6 burial plots so my W-350 can be planted with me in 70 or 80 years.

 

[dpuckett]

Jay, I have to agree with you. When I think of all the trouble I've had, it gets bewildering sometimes- brakes, clutch, rear end, lights, electrical gremlins. But when the Cummins roars to life at 0 deg unplugged, starting faster than the gasser next to you, you cant help but smile just a little. And when you go down the concrete canyons (such as they are in a small town), and hear the roar and whistle echo off the buildings, it brings a BIG smile to your face. 23 mpg on the hyw, 0- governor in under a quarter, what more could we ask for? I'll be keeping my first gen for a while. People think I'm nuts for nor worrying about an engine closing in on 300K, but let them have their delusions. I have the best engine ever put in a pickup, period. Except maybe a 96-98 with the 215 pump, but that's another toy altogether.



Daniel

 

[MMiller]

I own two too! Nuts I don't think so though. I just like driving the old ones around and still turning peoples heads. Everytime I start one its puts a smile on my face!! Nothing like pissin of a guy with a $600 month truck payment with my old reliables!!



Yeah they have there quirks and dare I say crudeness, but our trucks are the last of the vintage of true trucks. You know the utilitarian workhorse, not some smooth ridin; easy shiftin crewcab, shortbed, no lock outs, leather interior stuff. ALL BUSINESS!



Michael

 

[AlK]

Bought my 92 in 1992. What I have noticed the last couple of years is that I am now getting more complements on the truck than when it was new. I get the thumbs up and one older guy came up to me at the local Napa and said to me "don't you ever sell that truck - that is the best truck that they made" and have guys asking me if I would like to sell it. If I replace this truck it will be with another CTD and only because I would like a QC and an auto.

---

Al

 

[quikshft]

Bought my '92 last year. After I got it home from Colorado, I didn't even drive it again for several weeks while I got the dmv paper work taken care of. (I drove it all the way from Colorado Springs to California without license plates... In Co. the seller keeps his plate to put on his next vehicle) Finally I got my permit and I thought I'd take my wife and daughter for a ride. Got them loaded up and I turned the key. The shocked look on my wife's face was priceless, she had never heard such a racket from any of my other 'toys'.

I'm nuts I know I am. Up until just a couple years ago, I didn't own a car newer than a '73 model because I didn't want to have to bother with smog checks. Keeping old iron on the road can be trying at times, but at least you can work on it!

 

[PPeters]

Man, I was just thinking the same thing Jay. In the past month I have installed:



PS Pump

PS hoses

Steering Gearbox

Front diff input seal

205 xfer case Fore/Rear seals

RWAL valve



Most of my interior trim is off, running down h20 leaks. No carpet in either, until they are sealed. Like driving in a beer can, only louder.



But I keep telling myself, what would you rather spend: $1000 / year on mods and repairs, or $7800 / year on payments for a new one? The extra $6800 buys a lot of goodiesOo. Plus, like Jeremy, I can fix almost anything on the Beast



Pat

 

[Philip]

Plus, like Jeremy, I can fix almost anything on the Beast

In Jeremy's case experienced help around goes a long way. We have a well beaten path from one house to another. LOL



I'll hang onto mine for a few more years. I have had it for over 6 years now and put almost 50k on it.



It is nice when someone walks up wanting to buy it. Makes you feel good. I had a guy in Mo state wanting to buy mine during Thanksgiving week. I was fueling up and he pulled up in a 2000 C&C with a flat steel on it. Nice truck. We talked for about 15 minutes. I told him about the TDR. I hope he joins.

 

[Case500D]

Give credit where credit is due

OK, I have to admit Philip has been a big help on rebuilding rear axles and changing brakes, etc (the harder stuff). I do most of the swearing and beating with a 3lb ball peen and he does most of the fixing. I forgot to ad change a lift pump to my list of things done.



Jeremy



PS Actually the well beaten path is more like an oil trail from my W-350. Get one leak stopped up and another one starts.

 

[JLEONARD]

just think, we also own boats

Sean, In our case we're nuckin' futs-nuckin'g futs.



We have both a hole in the ocean, and a hole in the road to throw money!!



Jay

 

[Philip]

PS Actually the well beaten path is more like an oil trail from my W-350

mine leaks to. So I add to the trail to. LOL

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

You guys should consider yourselves lucky.....

Just last week I had to dump big $$$ and get a new garbage bag to hang around the transfer case lever... . the old one was just plain full up... ... P. M. R. O. ..... know what I mean... .



Pastor Bob... ... ok, who spilt' the communion waffers on the floor... ??

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

First off, I have to say that the TDR is awesome and I have learned so much from you guys I wish I had joined sooner. My truck is one of the main reasons I entered my chosen profession-

(Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology-Diesel Equipment Technician)

So that I can keep her on the road a lot longer. Although the Mighty Cummins don't need alot of help It gives me alot of pride to see my buddy crank his PSD And my truck accidentally firing up when I'm just trying to bump the starter

Yes it may be old, and it may ride rough, and it may run a little rough on cold mornings, and yes it is LOUD. But it is mine, and I am fond of it(could it be love?). You can have your 8-cyl diesel conversions(the only real diesel has got 6-cyl. ) I better stop, I could go on all night.





Steve



It may be a good thing we have transmissions this semester, 4th is howling like a banshee.

 

[CPG]

Best thing about this forum is the courtesy of the people on it. A great bunch of people always trying to help others.





Chuck

 

[R.E. Miller]

Ha, first genners are nuts! I own two of them, and my dad has one. I have used mine in my business, and have taken care of them because they have always taken care of me. I personally think that they were the last, toughest trucks ever made. The new trucks are bad, powerful, cozy, and pleasant to the public, but all in all, when you are out in the middle of no where, in the toughest job, when you need a truck the most, I wouldn't want anything but either of my trucks. True, the ride will awaken your kidneys, the cabs were built like the titanic, the transmissions are merely JV gear boxes, the front reverse arch springs are "interesting", and the message center is on auto pilot, but please, what else do you want???



P. S. All of my friends think I am nuts for not selling either of them, but I think that they will have to stay; like good tools, highly guarded

Russell

 

["Mad Max"]

you gotta be just a little futs...

I'm really interested to see how many of the vehicles being bought today will be around in ten years. My 93 CTD is ten yrs old and runs like day one. I paid $4k for it and have under $9k invested in it, and I'm totally content with this rig that it takes my breath away looking at the sticker prices of these new rigs. Yeah, they're awesome, incredibly powerful, and I'd be so afraid to bash a fender for fear of the $2000 repair bill that I'm half afraid to go near anything new for fear of breathing on it wrong. Shoot - I start this thing and go anywhere, and tow anything, at any time, for any reason. And though I've never wrenched on a diesel before this one I have the TDR to thank, and all the bubbas here, for the great help and easy going discussions.



It's funny - but have you noticed that when you see a first gen truck way off in the distance... I always say, "there's another diesel"... . they're almost always a CTD. Friends riding with me asked me how the hell can I know that by just looking at it from 1/4 mile away. I just say, because the diesels are the only ones still on the road. Then I think... 'I wonder how many miles he has on HIS diesel'. A few more hundred and I'll turn 230,000. Time for another 12 quarts of DELO and a satisfed owner is on the road again. Old school = good.



I'm restoring a 70 Challenger - 360, 5-speed. Gonna be my daily fun driver.

I got a 71 Demon - 440, 4-speed. Very fun, bad-ass, 500 hp big die-cast toy.

I just got an 85 D-350 dually crew cab. This will be the recipient for the diesel conversion from hell later this year. THAT is gonna be fun y'all.

Who needs payments - I like to drop it into making my stuff better and more 'mine'.



Little stuff can always be replaced, but $700 a month and hugh insurance..... for what? I got a great rig, now, and I ain't afraid to work it of bash a fender.



... . and, um, I'm already making more torque than the new ones anyway... ... ! (hee hee hee... ahhhHHHHH!!!!!!!... Halleluiah!!!... . pass the Tylenol. . )



- Sam