Looking at used 1st gen

[dward]

I recently sold my 03 dually to my brother as I sold the camper and didn't need it anymore.

However, a week without a truck is a major inconvenience, I've already need it 2 or 3 times.

I have always like the 1st gen, and my uncle had an 03 that he just totally abused and neglected, and it still runs.

I think I would want the 5 sp. for longevity. What should I look for in this age of truck with around 100k mi, besides the standard things you look for on all veh.

Do the 1st gens have any problems or concerns?

Thanks for the info.

 

[Lordsman]

Be perticular!

Look for loose steering, rust, space between bed of truck and cab not even(overloaded/abused). Best to find one from somebody who took care of it. I bought mine from original owner, whose wife drove it, and used it to pull a horse trailer. Had 205k on it, now 270k, and still running strong. No mods. , just a new transmission at 210k and a DTT torque converter. best truck I've had

when it comes to reliability. This truck works every day, in the HVAC field.

 

[1stgen4evr]

used truck

"uncle had an 03 "



I am asssuming a typo there since you ask about first gens you must have meant 93. If the engine runs nicely, and you should know what nicely includes since you had a later model, then all the other stuff can be fixed. If the truck is really shabby as to dings and trashed out interior, then about a grand is all it is worth. UP from there based on nice this that or the other.



You will find that the first gens ride somewhat different from the later design. Test drive one before you commit. Light duty, the manual will do all you want. If you are planning on towing or heavy loads, you might want to consider the automatic and then an after market upgrade/rebuild on the transmission. Dig through the stuff here and you will find soultions to most all your potential problems.



I did a post a couple of years ago as to what breaks down and when (mileage wise). I got VERY good response and you could get that out of the archives.



At 100k miles, unless the truck has been dogged, the only things that would show up would be age related (deteriorated rubber seals on the side windows for instance) and if the Getrag manual wasn't a good one from the start, you could very well have some trouble with that. TPS will often give trouble before 100k as can sometimes the PCM. If you shop carefullly and look after the first gen, it will be the lowest cost vehicle you will ever own.



James

 

[BHiggins]

The one disagreement I have with 1stgen4ever is on the transmission, if you are going to use the truck for heavy towing you WANT the manual transmission not the automatic, the automatics don't hold up very well to heavy use even with the aftermarket re-builds. I had a 1990 1st gen with the Getrag five speed that worked VERY hard every day, when I sold it last year it had 304,000 miles on it with the original transmission. I replaced the original clutch at 240,000 miles only because the rear main seal was leaking and since the clutch had to come out to replace the seal, I figured it was good insurance just to do the clutch while I was in there. The old clutch still had plenty of life left.

 

[steveinaz]

" What should I look for in this age of truck with around 100k mi,"





With 100,000 miles it should be practically brand new. I'm coming up on 300,000 with no major repairs.

I did replace some front suspension pieces, and some brake parts f&r, and some weatherstripping. I have no rust in AZ so I can't help you there.

SteveinAZ

 

[1stgen4evr]

The one disagreement I have with 1stgen4ever is on the transmission, if you are going

We aren't really in great disagreement. I have two automatics and two manuals (running). There are things I like about both systems. I believe there are some 'good' Getrags that were better from the factory than others. Mine are 'good'. The one has 260k the other 480. Both automatics have given some problems. I DEFINITELY get better fuel economy with the manual. I wonder what the automatic would do with a lock up converter. Heat build up is (I think) the main killer on the automatic. My application sees hard miles to Fla and Texas in summer weather as well as heavy towing in mountains.



I am seeing comments on the forum that favor the automatics that have been upgraded. I am at the point of selecting a change to manual or rebuild with improvments on the 92. The cost of the various aftermarket rebuilds is more than I just paid for a whole truck. Heck make that two whole trucks. But I do like the automatic when I am in trafic with lots of red lights. And so does my wife, who has no problem with the manual. It is just nice to be lazy and 'shiftless'. The lowest miles truck I own is a 93 automatic. It just sprang a leak at the converter seal. It has only 130k miles. So, how to evaluate your need is going to be complex. I just hit the high spots with my first comments.



I don't own a 4x4. I am going to build a W250 for my son so I will later have some experience with those. He wants a manual and that is what we will do first. We have rounded up all the parts for a two wheel drive with a total of less than one thousand dollars invested. At the moment, those parts are still bolted to three different trucks, in various colors. The engine has around 180k miles and is fitted with PODs. He is on his on as to paint and interior.



Bottom line, you won't go wrong if you shop carefully.



James



Thanks for proding me to a more complete answer Brian.

 

[dward]

Thanks for all the advice. I stand corrected on the 03, he had a 93. He moved from Cal. back to Iowa and got into farming. He towed a 30' enclosed trailer packed full of stuff that weighed over 19k lbs. A little slow in the mountains, but the truck handeled it well. On the farm, he totally abused and never really maintained it. (Never adj. the valves) Last I knew, it had around 170k mi. and the only thing he did was replaced the clutch. He had to forge his way through deep snow with a heavy trailer, and shifted back and forth and overheated the clutch. His truck is a good example of how tough these trucks are.

Anyway, the one that got me interested is a 92 LE, 5 sp. 4x4 with a Banks package (not sure which one) and a 5th wheel hitch. The original owner is asking $10,800 with 103k mi. Is this a good price for very good cond?

KBB doesn't go back to 92.

 

[1stgen4evr]

worth

"The original owner"



If he knows what is good for him, he won't sell the truck. But there is plenty of debate on prices. And plenty of reasons why an owner might want to sell a really clean truck.



Read the posts here and make a decision. There have been lots of comment about the Getrag manual transmission. I have gotten very satisfactory service with my two wheel drive trucks. Most of the problems seem to be in the 4x4 application, still, there are plenty of folks using the original setup.



As far as the price of 10,800, I expect that you could do a better especially if you go with a truck with 50 to 75k more miles. But if the truck were mine, I wouldn't budge a bit on the price.



Parts of the country these truck bring more than other areas. That is a factor as well.



James

 

[DValentine]

I paid 10,000 for my truck in 03 with 113,000 miles on the clock. It was in good shape... . getrag had been rebuilt, and new clutch at 80k miles. I didn't steal it, as I have found a few since for the same money, but I got a solid truck. As James said region of the country makes a difference in price. A guy I know just sold a 93 w350 dually for 6300. I wish I "needed" it..... as it was a good price, for a truck with 203k.



KBB was 7300 when I bought mine. I don't put a whole lot of stock in the numbers, because it doesn't take into account the intrinsic value of the cummins, or what ever else makes up the sick minds of first gen lovers.

Try 9500 and see if he doesn't laugh... . if he doesn't , hold a straight face and sign the title. Pour over the past threads and plan the spending of your spare change on some of the mods passionately discussed on this site.



Dave

 

[TKingsbury]

I paid $8500 for mine in Feb of '04 with 85K on it. It needed paint, but was otherwise in very good shape. The biggest problem I had was finding a standard cab with a 5 speed that wasn't a junk work truck. I've been very happy with my truck.

Travis. .