Looking at a First Gen??

[Cummins4Life]

I'm looking into a a early 91 reg cab 4x4 with the getrag 5spd. It has less than 75k original miles and upon brief inspection looks to be in really good shape. Is there anything I should inspect in the way of problem parts or commonly wore out items?



Thanks

Zach

 

[Philip]

Check the backlash on both axles. You should not be able to turn the drive shaft hardly any in netual



Check the steering box mount. They are prone to cracking. This is a $25 dollar item. But if the owner doesn't know this. It is a place to dicker on.



Look for oil leaks on the steering box. They are prone to this. Most of the times new seals don't help.



Check the cross member under the raditor. It has been know for the revits in the frame to loosen up. This is also the mounting point for you front spring perches.



At 75k it is due for front brakes. If it was towing a lot. It might be due for rear brakes also.



Ask if any of the fluids were ever change in the axles/transfer case/trans. If not this is another place to dicker on. Improper maint.



Ask if the front wheels bearing have ever been serviced. Dodge says every 12 months or 12k miles. If they haven't. Then most likely figure a full load of bearings the first time you have it apart.





Take a magnet with you. Wrap it in a rag. Then check the common areas for rust repair/bondo. Lower edges of doors. Lower rear section of the front fenders. The cab corners/rocker panels.



Use a water hose on it around the windshield area. See if the front floors get wet. This could mean a cracked cowling.



This is a start. I am sure someone else has a few items to add.

 

[steveinaz]

don't forget to check for a coolant leak under the t-stat housing at the head gasket . i paid $160 for a upper end set at cummins.

 

[Cummins4Life]

Thanks I take this with me next time I go look at the truck.

 

[Stomp]

I grew up in Klamath Falls. Who's pickup is it and what color is it? Just wondering if I know who is selling it and could get the inside scoop for you. What are you going to pay for it if you don't mind me asking?



Stomp

 

[Cummins4Life]

Originally posted by Stomp

I grew up in Klamath Falls. Who's pickup is it and what color is it? Just wondering if I know who is selling it and could get the inside scoop for you. What are you going to pay for it if you don't mind me asking?



Stomp

Its a White regular cab and I believe Hunter is the last name. Not sure on the $$$ as of yet, have talked to members of the family but not directly to the owner.

 

[Stomp]

Doesnt ring a bell, but it has been awhile since I have lived there. If you get anymore info let us know.



Stomp

 

[Cummins4Life]

Well looked at the truck today, went over everything listed above and couldnt find anything wrong. Runs fine, drives straight, and the transmission shifts fine. Only problem is he wants 12k for it, I told him I'd give him 8k will see what happens.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

I think that is a bit high for a non-intercooled truck. It is very common to find some head cracking on any 12V head that has been run hot but even more so on the early trucks.

Tough call.....

pb.

 

[JLEONARD]

I think that's extremely high priced... like amost 2 x.

Jay

 

[Lock93]

Prices for 1st gens sure seem to be location specific. In the Pacific NW they seem to run higher. For reference purposes, I paid $8k for a '93 CC W250 last year in Auburn, WA. Rebuilt title took 20% off the price, so I would've expected something closer to $10k if it had a clean title. Truck had 75k orig miles, and upon inspection needed new tires and an oil leak fix, plus the KDP. I think $12k for a reg cab 4x4 (even with the low miles) is a bit steep. I'd guess he will counter at $10k unless he needs the $12k to pay off a loan or something.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Early 91 model

An early 91 would not have a computer. I think. Some one else verify that please. Jay? Not having a computer is a plus in my book. At least 1k dollars plus. That said, if you don't obsess over the zero on the odometer and you look a bit, you can surely find a better deal. I paid 95 hundred a year ago for a 93 D350 extended cab with 68k miles. At the time I wasn't aware of TDR. If I had the knowlege that I now have from the forums here I would not have paid that much. But I am not crying over the deal as I have a really nice truck that will last the rest of my life.



The truck you are looking at may well be worth the asking price but you can find a better deal. If you really like it, buy it. But you are leaving some on the table.



1srgen4evr

James

 

[dpuckett]

Clarification- being able to turn the driveshaft with the transmission in neutral can also be worn spider gears. Backlash out of spec wont normally show up by turning the shaft, as we are talking in the thousandths of an inch spectrum.



Now on to price. I get a real kick out of the guys who are soooo proud of that zero on the front of the odometer numbers on these pickups. My question is, if it is such a great engine, and it will last so long, what difference does 100K mi make? $12K is way too much for ANY 13 year old pickup, esp one that isnt intercooled. I paid $4300 for a 92 W250 RC 5 spd 2 years ago. Granted it had some body damage, but I drove it back from Chicago and got 23MPG @70mph. Original everything, as far as I knew.



ANd you also have to consider Low Mile Maintenance Syndrome. It gets driven so seldom that I'd put money on at least a few oil changes have gone over the 6mo time limit, along with axle and transmission fluid changes. Brakes are probably dry rotted, seals get hard from sitting, coolant can corrode and break down, Injectors can get clogged up because they never get warmed up and worked; fuel sitting in them for months at a time can start to varnish, and break down etc, etc.



So you have this low mile truck that needs brakes, fuel system gone through, everything cleaned out, and you still have to give a premium for the low mileage. A rip off in my book. Gimme one that has been rode hard and put up wet a time or two, that I KNOW can go through he!! and come back just fine; that can take whatever I may dish out to it. And I can take the money I saved by buying a six digit odo reading and BOMB the living snot out of it and upgrade everything at the same time.



This concludes my monthly anti-low-mile rant for the month.



Daniel