Here I am

I think I've had it

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looking for heavy front springs

Clutch Boot

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with trying to keep the old 1st gen reliable.

Yesterday while doing an oli change I discovered my radiator was just starting to leak.

Well ok, no problem getting a radiator today... but try to get a lower hose... . had to destroy the old one taking it off... ... ain't nobody got one.

Of course I can get 20 of them tomorrow... but that isn't doing me any good. I need it now so I can drive to the airport tomorrow for a business trip.

I guess the wife has to get up at 4:30 and drive me... . then pick me up friday at midnite.



I think this is spelling T H E E N D for this old beast.

Time to start looking for a newer more reliable ride.



I feel better now. ;)
 
I'll give ya $500 for it, since it's all rusty and whatnot. :-laf ;)



There comes a time when you have to draw the line and say "ENOUGH. " It appears you have reached that point.



You gonna get a western 1stGen, or "upgrade" to a funny body style truck?



DP
 
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You gonna get a western 1stGen, or "upgrade" to a funny body style truck?



Not sure I'll stay diesel. If I do it will be the latter. What I need is a truck, but I still need some fair MPGs, so my only real option is probably a small/midsize truck. And unfortunately if I really want to get the most for my few $$ it might be a Toyota.



BTW I did manage to get the old hose to fit even though I had to cut an inch from it to get it off. So I'm back on the road.

But I did find out that the lower hose is no longer supported by Chrysler. Hasn't been made in a while. Aftermarket is the only option. That's why I'll go funny body style.
 
I *just* replaced my 1967 John Deere Lawn Tractor due to engine components NLA. What good is the thing if the engine don't run and parts are NLA?



If I wanted to I could have a machine shop make them. But then that is time and money an it's not worth the hassle.
 
"I *just* replaced my 1967 John Deere Lawn Tractor due to engine components NLA. What good is the thing if the engine don't run and parts are NLA?



If I wanted to I could have a machine shop make them. But then that is time and money an it's not worth the hassle. "







Yeah, and your new mower and Jay's new truck will have cup holders.



I have an 82 Dodge that I now use just to plow snow. Now down to brakes on just one wheel. Soon I may have to move up...

Jay, I hope you'll will be available to help us who are not as high up the 1stgen learning curve Thanks for past info.
 
napa has the radiator hoses . & jgolden all of the brake parts to fix your '82 dodge.

Deo



Thanks for that info. NAPA has the parts but I don't have the motivation.



This 82 Dodge is so rusted that the spring hangers are just a promise that can be broken any time, the body is full of big holes and bed is swiss cheese. In a no salt region this truck would be fine but not here. I replaced the rusted brake lines a few times, but now I ran a line direct to one wheel, I might addd the other one.

I've got a pretty long driveway and when plowing don't need much brake.

I think the newer trucks have a little better rust protection.

As Greenleaf pointed out at some point the hassle out weighs the utility.

Thanks again
 
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with trying to keep the old 1st gen reliable.

Yesterday while doing an oli change I discovered my radiator was just starting to leak.

Well ok, no problem getting a radiator today... but try to get a lower hose... . had to destroy the old one taking it off... ... ain't nobody got one.

Of course I can get 20 of them tomorrow... but that isn't doing me any good. I need it now so I can drive to the airport tomorrow for a business trip.

I guess the wife has to get up at 4:30 and drive me... . then pick me up friday at midnite.



I think this is spelling T H E E N D for this old beast.

Time to start looking for a newer more reliable ride.



I feel better now. ;)

Well I understand your feelings but then again when you spend $40,000 on a new truck and have to wait days for parts and days for them to troubleshoot some electronic gremlin then you are mad. I quit buying new just because of that and the price of the parts for the newer trucks after the warrantee runs out. Just some food for thought.
 
Sorry to hear that Jay. Your 1st. Gen. experiences have been helpfull and entertaining. I know the feeling, I haven't driven mine in the winter for many years. It would be nice to be able to drive in the salt and not expect major parts to fall off.
 
Keeping the goat?

It'll be sad to see you leave the 1st Gen forum with your wealth of knowledge, and humor, but I could understand mechanical frustrations. I'm only 5-years in my rig, and it's a Southern Cal truck, so I don't have the corrosive winter road mess to deal with. I'm a happy camper at this point and have been able to handle the maintanence, and small repairs. Hey:D you could keep 'er as a classic rig :rolleyes:. Just a thought... Good luck whatever is the best...



Patrick.
 
im guessing rust free. i got rid of my 1st 97 because of mechanical issues i was tired of dealing with. bought brand new. big mistake. its taken me 2 years to get back to a 12 valve.
 
It'll be sad to see you leave the 1st Gen forum with your wealth of knowledge, Patrick.



Personally I'll be *happy* to see you leave the 1st Gen forum AND take your wealth of knowledge w/you.



There I said it. I KNOW it was on everyone's mind... ... ..... :-laf



Scott
 
Personally I'll be *happy* to see you leave the 1st Gen forum AND take your wealth of knowledge w/you.



There I said it. I KNOW it was on everyone's mind... ... .....



Scott



:eek:wow!!! ;):D



Come on Jay, I'm waiting for the comeback to that one :-laf Oo.



Would be good to get a new truck but when I compare the price for a new one to the cost of making a few repairs, the repairs always win out. The wife is pressuring me to get a 4 door so we'll see what happens. Just put new wheels and tires on the old truck today so that won't be an issue for a while.
 
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Personally I'll be *happy* to see you leave the 1st Gen forum AND take your wealth of knowledge w/you. 



There I said it. I KNOW it was on everyone's mind...

Well, I don't rightly know how to reply to that.

My wealth of knowledge will fit on the back of a postage stamp. No BS, just fact. But that stamp is worth millions!! Perhaps trillions.

(wish my 401K was even close). LOL

That said, I won't be spending 40K... and I don't have the space to keep an extra vehicle. I'll buy something new or two years old and run it as a reliable commuter... new job is 35 minutes each way and I gots to be there... . not many from my town that I can hitch a ride with...

AND the new job will let me afford something worth some more $$.
 
Jay, just consider the source! :-laf I hope you get things squared away and get yourself a nice "new" western 1st gen. ;)
 
jay my friend is selling is ramcharger cummins. . 3. 07 gears and 5spd stick forgot if it was getrag or nv4500?... any how its rust free. . he's a detail nut. . then there was 3rd gen 2wd 6spd reg cab for sale recently 20k? or less I 'll have to didg up the ad. .

Later

deo
 
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