New member, selling old Ford, want 1st gen

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Hello to all and thanks for being here.
Want to experience a Cummins engine so I'm selling the old 6. 9 Ford.
So here I am looking for Cummins coaches.
I checked out Nollie Neill's post and that was helpful. My biggest concerns are transmission related. I do intend to tow a mid size 5th wheel in the near future. Seems like the monster torque of these engines eat manuals and automatics alike and I can't decide which way to go. Am likely to go with the nicest truck I can find regardless of trans.
If some of you could relate your preferences and reasons I would greatly appreciate it.
Will the BD Torquelock work with these older autos?
Thanks, Bob

 

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Its kinda funny but I was thinking that since I can't afford another First Gen. right now that I might keep an eye out for an old 250, 4X4, 4sp, 6. 9 that gets good fuel milage. I need a work truck, my Cummins is way to pretty to take on some of the construction sites that I go on. Please don't get mad at me guys for my thinking.

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'93 D350 2wd Club Cab 5-speed,141,000 miles,K&N,Amsoil throughout,Borgeson Steering Shaft,Isspro gauges(Tach,EGT,Boost,Engine Oil Temp. ),16cm Turbo Housing, "My Dream Exhaust"(5" Chrome Stack)

 

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I would go manual if there was a choice. Reason - My truck is on it's third transmission! Another reason is if you are going to tow, the manual will be better in the hills.

Disadvantage - sometimes it's a pain in the rear to shift a manual.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K

 

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Chris,
Can't help ya with my old Ford as it's 2wd and auto. There's a load of those trucks at Autotrader.com though. One of the major reasons for my change is mileage. My average city/highway even with 3. 55 gears only 13. 8. Best ever 17. 5 on flat highway dead downwind.
I'm looking for that 18-22 I hear about here.
True?
Paccool,
3rd transmission in 146K !?!?!? Yikes! What are you towing? And all the trucks I'm finding available are autos. I wonder if anyone has done auto to manual conversion? Although it seems like those Getrags are problematic and expensive and the NV4500s lose the 5th gear nut too.
Have you upgraded your cooler and/or added trans temp and pressure guages?
Just read in Oct. issue of "Trailer Life" about "BD Torquelock". Seems to address heat and slippage issues quite well. Didn't mention cost or availability for older trucks. Think I'll call them.
Thanks for responses.

[This message has been edited by NOMOFO (edited 09-29-2000). ]

 

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NOMOFO - The manuals will hold up if you don't lug them to much and don't try to pull a big hill in 5th. Don't know much about the auto's except I only owned one in a car a billion years ago - Nice for racing but not working.

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4-sale or Trade
'99, 3/4, QC, SLT, 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 3. 5xlsd, tow pac, HD tcase, tow mirrors, camper pac, White over driftwood, Mist gray interior. With less than 19,000 miles.

 

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NOMOFO-
I bought the truck used a couple of years ago but got most of the paperwork with it. The original transmission lasted 87k. The second one lasted until about 130K at which time I had it rebuilt. I know the rebuilder and had him throw a few mods in such as ectra packs, shift kit, and drilling out some of the ports for increased pressure.
The last owner pulled a 12K fifth wheel, I pull a travel trailer once in a while(not often enough!)that weighs about 6K.
So far the newest rebuilt has worked well. I have the fan assisted cooler under the bed but don't have a temp or pressure gauge. Have been thinking about the temp gauge though.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K

 

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I recommend a 727 witha U. S. Gear OD unit. The Mopar OD unit on the 518 is inadequate even with all available modifications. Stick shifts get FAR better fuel mileage.

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http://coffeewithJesus. homestead.com/web1.html 89 1-ton, Amsoil System 3000 5-30,K&N air filter, cleaned-up exhaust, Dynomax straight-thru, rebuilt pump, 12cm wastegated turbo, thermostaticly controlled twin 14" electric fans, intercooler, modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, R-134, louvered fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothe grille; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. Jesus saves!

 

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You would be better off with a 5 speed in the long run, better power, better milage. also you can install a jake brake if you want with a manual.

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1985 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4(wasn't that hard to do!) in 1999,converted to a 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & 5 speed Getrag in 2000(wife can't drive a stick . 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 205 transfer case, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. A one of a kind truck(Wish Dodge would build a new Crew Cab in 1 ton)If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand Ford and Chevy.

 

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Hey j and crewcab,
Thanks for responses. I certainly prefer the 5sp option but these are sure hard to find at least where I am. Have placed a wanted add in classifieds here for 1 ton club cab 4x4 5sp but no responses yet.
Has anyone converted auto to manual?
Also had actually considered putting a Cummins in my Ford too but want 4x4 for snow country, dirt/mud roads, and launch ramps.
Will try to be patient for the right one but sure have the bug.

 

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The conversion is not to bad if you have a donor truck, other wise it will be a bear. I would wait and see if you can find a truck ready to go. Of course you could try what I have done to my truck, but Ill bet your not that crazy #ad
. You might look into tradeonine.com for a truck. Best of Luck !

 

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Well I think I've found one I might have to bite on even though it's an auto. Real nice shape, just over 100K. The only things wrong are the hinge on the passenger seat (captain seat) is broken and the driver door is slightly drooping. Radio seems to have loose connection too.
Are any of these things sort of normal weak points? Sure doesn't look abused.
Am also interested in that rear seat conversion discussed in other posts. I wonder if a Ford one will fit?
Thanks for listenin'.

 

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NOMOFO, My son has a real nice 91 1 ton auto, he borrows my 3/4 ton 5 spd to tow his 24' enclosed car trailer any distance. Better milage by about 5 MPG and a lot easier tow. It's nice to select the gear yourself when necessary. Just thought I'd add that it might be a lot less trouble and cheaper to wait for the right truck to come along. A little patience may pay off big time. Good Luck.

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92 D250 5spd 3. 54 std cab, Banks exhaust,Isspro EGT&Boost gages,18cm Turbo.
67 Dodge R/T
67 Charger
98 Grand Cherokee
97 Stratus
Mopar Only Here
Tulsa 2000 Survivor.

 

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NOMOFO, I have a 91 D350 with auto, and Gear Vendors o/u drive, 8 forward gears. I tow a 10,000 lb 5th wheel all over the Western US and have had no trouble with transmission. I have it serviced every year. This year the transmission guy said the trans looked like it was in good condition. I also have a BD Exhaust Brake and use it on all hills. It has never caused my trans to heat up.

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91 D350,New style BD Brake,Gear Vendors O/U Drive,Gauges-Pyro,boost,tach,trans,rearend,brake,
Airbag rear,Transfer flow tool/tank, Exh. sys,Rino lined bed, Alcoa Mags,SS runningboards.
16cm.

 

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Just my two cents here. I love my Auto trannied 93 W250, CC, 4x4. Ive got 164K on it with no troubles with engine or transmission. If you like shifing gears, go for the manual. If you like cruising, rest assured the auto transmission is a fine unit too.

Billy

 

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Thanks Ram Bill and Walmor. Looks like I'm going with the W350 CC auto I mentioned. The truck is really nice overall and doubt I'll find a manual that meets all other qualities of this one. These are rare birds in my neck of the woods. Should come together this weekend.

 

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My auto gave problems about 4 years ago, in hindsight I think it was the throttle position switch, although I was new to the vehicle at the time.
I have fitted a deeper pan to the xmsn plus AMSOL oil and a temp gauge.
Reasonable going 60 mph in cruise with 7k 5th wheel all ok, start up a hill or on a 100+ deg. day with A/C on, engine and xmsn will heat. Delect OD and run rpm up to about 2000 and all will be OK.
Uncommanded shifting from OD to 3rd could be TPS related.


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Ian.

'93 D250 ext. cab. Upgraded injectors, 3. 5" exhaust, K & N filter, Xmsn oil cooler and fan, 4 gauge mount, mirror tubes reversed, RACOR fuel filter, larger transmission oil pan.