looking at a 91 to buy --- help

[TKarnas]

So I found a 1991 Cummins for sale. I have a 04 and know little about the older ones. Can someone tell me some things to look out for with these older 12V?



Is this inter cooled?



Is there a site I can run the VIN on?



Heres the specs... 1991 W250 4x4

Auto

124103 miles

Reg Cab

$4900

 

[CValiquette]

Thanks for the troop support chief. I have a 91, few things I would look for.
91 is non-intercooled, 91. 5 is intercooled, might want to ask about that, you'll know when you pop the hood if it has a crossover tube over the valvecovers it's non-ic.

My dash wiring is kinda screwed up, speedos go out often, fuel guages are often off (mine reads e w/ 10 gals still in the tank), if you have a lift like me the steering box input shaft seals like to go out... all I can think of for right now. I've only been around 1st gens a little while though. We have some knowledgeable guys on here that will help you out.

 

[TKarnas]

your welcome on the troops. We take care of ourselfs ! To many are forgotten today. Just see Iraq in your sig... Thanks.

My brother in law is in the other sand box. 6 months and counting.





Thanks for the info on the 91... I was thinking the same on the IC. do you all feel 4900 is a good buy for a truck w 125K?

How about parts? Are they ok to come by, what about the mods? simple to work on the engine?

 

[CValiquette]

Well I paid $5500 for mine with around 200k and my body's not the greatest but it's rust-free and it's got mods as you can see including the GV which is a $3000 unit new. Parts can be hard to come by but if you go on 1stgen.org, a lot of us TDR guys are on there, Mark Nixon is a good source for parts and a lot of the other guys are often parting out trucks or have parts laying around. I plan on working on my collection a bit more when I get home and get out.

I'm on my 3rd tour over here, 9 months in Sadr City, 15 in rural Balad, another 9 months so far here in Mosul until Nov. My life as a grunt is almost over. Good luck to your bro-in-law in Afghan I know it's pretty hot up there these days. Luckily they stopped messing with us when they kicked us out of the city un July. Moved our sector an hour into the desert. Nice and quiet, good way to end a deployment.

 

[TKarnas]

thanks for the input. keep your head down. Army or Marines?

Is yours IC? hows the EGT



Heres a generic questions for all... stacks on a first gen, do you run a muffler? I need to run a muffler to pass inspection, but most kits are straight pipe.



Thanks

 

[CValiquette]

Mine's non-ic. With my pump turned up and the fuel pin, but no fuel screw yet, i'm hitting 1200 max uphill at 75mph. I have to run a muffler as well to be legal. The guys at the inspection shop hooked me up with pretty much hollow muffler that did absolutely nothing but make it look like there was a muffler there. Find a smaller redneck shop with a bunch of trucks outside they might hook you up.

Oh... Army.

 

[TBartlett1]

I bought a 1990 w250 new and have had very few problems most of which were North East related (road salt). The first gens are perhaps the most reliable of the bunch.

Injection pump is simple and durable, the front axle has timken bearings on the lower king pin and a plastic bushing on top. I have only replaced 1 plastic bushing on the 4 first gens I had.

The truck handles good, very stable and precise with the leaf spring front and it's also lower than the newer trucks which helps but rides a bit rougher.

The Getrag transmission is a weak link with power adders and must be overfilled with oil to have a long life.

The worst part of the truck is replacing the rear shoes because the axles need to be removed to pull the drums.

Only electronic piece on it is the rear ABS.

I reciently bought my 4th rust free 1990 w350 this past April in California and plan to put this one up in the winter.

Buy it you won't be sorry.

As far as running the vin you can try carfax.

 

[TKarnas]

Well I looked at the truck last night. It was not bad besides the rust holes above teh window. There was a section above the passenger front window that had the drip pan and about 4 inches up the roof rusted pretty much through. I think the paint was the onyl covering. The steering rag was pretty much gone as I could move the steering wheel 3/4 turn before the tires would turn. Needless to say I told the guy if he wnated to sell it he should call me with his best price... . No looking to get another major project and I feel this would not have passed safety inspection with the amount of rust around the front window. Thanks to all... I will be keeping my eyes peeled for a good 12V

 

[Dieselman359]

Yeah, I'd say $4900 is a little too much considering the rust you mentioned. These trucks are getting old, unless its been garaged all its life and doesn't have any rust, it's not going to bring top dollar. I myself am a little leery of the autos, even though I have one, just make sure everything works, these trucks can be fixed up with some aftermarket parts for a pretty good price.

 

[Simplysmn]

After everything is all said n done I will end up paying less the 1500 for the 93 drw LE D350 I just picked up If anyone is interested in a right rear fender for DRW pm me .