New truck in my future???

[paccool]

Well, tonight I went and looked at a new 24 valve that the local dealer has on the lot. Not sure if I want that many valves! They sure moved the motors back under the firewall on the new rigs when compared to our older first gens. Seems like I just got this one running pretty good and it is going to take alot of thinking to decide what to do. Guess I need to go up to the 24 valve forums and ask a few questions there. Anyone here have any words of wisdom?



HELP!!!!

 

[KEENO]

First Generation..... FOREVER!



KEENO

 

[Case500D]

Stan,



In my family there are all types of Cummins powered Dodges. I have a 1st gen, my wife a '94 2nd gen, and my Dad a 1998. 5 24 valve. I really like the 98. 5 truck. It rides nice, looks good, and has been very dependable. However, it is much noisier than either of my two trucks. The injector pump rattles pretty loud. That is my Dad's main complaint about his truck. It is noisier than either of the two Cummins powered Dodges. To me, it seems like my 1st gen has a much better 4 wd setup than the 98. 5. I also have noticed that the suspension of the 98. 5 seems fairly soft as compared to the 1st gen. I think my 1st gen squats less with a load. I hope I haven't confused you. Just a few observations from Indiana.



Jeremy



PS I am with KEENO, First Gen for me forever!

 

[CharlieMiller]

Why not have both?

Charlie

 

[willyslover]

put on a fresh paint job / go see Brandon for a $300 detail job , and keep that beauty. .

or a 98 12v if you really have to have a newer one.

 

[KMC]

If I were in the market for a 2nd gen or a newer Dodge truck for that matter I would get a 97 or early 98 12 valve. It will have depreciated enough that a good deal can be found and the price difference between that and a brand new truck will leave plenty of money for bombs. Why strap yourself to some huge ugly monthly payment on a new truck (unless you are a cash buyer ) New vehicles are one of the worst investments you can make from a monetary standpoint. They alway go down in value and very quickly at that plus all that interest. But if you gotta have the latest and greatest then that is the price you pay. To each his own I guess... ..... All though in my limited opinion the new Dodge trucks may be the latest but me thinks they are not really the greatest. I am with Keeno in that I like my first Gen but if I was looking for a newer truck that is what I would do.



My . 02, Ken

 

[DieselBuzz]

I'm with Charlie

For the amount of money, or lack of money, the dealer would give you might be better off keeping it. My $. 02

Art

 

[JBrookshire]

Been there diddent do it!!!!!

I went to the dealer back in nov and was going to trade on a new 2001 slt 4x4 crew cab, silver. The dealer was going to give me 9,000$ for mine and a 1500$ rebate. But the payments were like 600$ a month. I really wanted it but i thought long and hard and said with all of that money I can make my truck like I want it and no payment. i guess it is just how deep is your pocket?? i would still like one but i got mine re-painted and am going for inj and got the guages in it and I look at my truck and say There is not to many others out there like mine, you see 2nd gens every day going down the road, but how often do you see a 1st gen going down the road??? That is why I kept my truck there is not meny 1st gens out there. I am with the rest 1St GENS FOR LIFE!!!!!!! I hope te see a million miles on mine some day,maby a hole lot more:--) Justin,

 

[4020Deere]

Hey pacool,



I'm kinda in the same boat as you, however, I alrady sold my 93, so I'm on hte hunt for something else. I'd have to say that I did like some of the things on the first gen trucks better. They seem to be pretty heavy duty. But since I use my truck for alot more than just off road or heavy duty work, I like the 2nd gen's (I had 2 different 2nd gen gassers before). In my situation, I could really use a quad cab. The club cab 1st gen is REALLY lacking space and convienence. ALso the 1st gen. is a pretty rough and noisy ride. That's fine for the farm, but terrible when on a road trip! I was fairly tolerant of it at first, but my wife wasn't, and towards the end I was even uncomfortable driving more than about an hour in it.



I was looking for the 'elusive' 98 QC 12v truck, but have pretty much given up. I've been looking at 99 and 2000 model year trucks. I have found a number of them with lower mileage than a 97 or 98, quad cab, and about the same $. Plus, since I would have to borrow some of the $ the interest rates on 99 and newer vehicles are quite a bit lower than 98 and earlier. I was also a little afraid of the 24V problems I've heard of, but am gradually learnign more about them, and am getting more comfortable with the idea. For me, a 24V QC makes sense for what I use the truck for. Just my opinion, you'll have to decide for yourself.

 

[ScottB]

A friend of mine decided that he needed a newer truck so he got a 97or98 cant remember. Well it was really nice at first he said then after the newness wore off he said he sort of missed the 93. He said the new truck is a bear to work on. He claimed that the 93 handled the loads really well and if he could do it all over again that he would keep the 93 and stay out of debt.

Whatever you do think and pray hard and you will do whats right for you because it is different for everyone. Good luck. Scott

 

[paccool]

Thanks for all the replys. I've thought about most of the items you guys have brought up, still have not decided which way to go. The large amount of money that will be spent for a new truck could do lots of other things! Could do a few REALLY good fishing trips to Alaska for that much moneyOo.



Well, I'm still considering what to do.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Stan,

I got to go with Justin on this, just can't see takin the plunge unless I didn't have anything better to do with my money. I really like the looks and ride of a 2nd gen, but when it comes to work, my 1st gen is the way to go. I am not going to throw a fit if I put a couple of new dings or marks on her. I would be too nervious to drive a new $35K truck through the brush on a camping trip. So I look at it this way, have an older truck and have fun, or a new truck and sit and look at it . Keep the old one, update the seats and interior, add a kick a$$ stereo & bomb on ! One of the things I love the most about my 1st gen crew cab is when I go by and some guy about runs himself up on the crub rubber necking because he never seen a truck like mine before.

:--)



Kyle

 

[RDBuck]

1st gen. or 2nd

There is no universal answer to whether or not to buy a new truck. The 1st gen. was new to you at one time and I'm sure you had the same discussion with yourself- probably with the same answer. Sone things are facts though, the first generation truck will outlast most of the use any of us can put to it. It is easy to work on and repair. It is uncomplicated. Body parts are available in most any junk yards as are running gear items. It is becoming more distinctive and unique each year. The value of a decent 1st gen. has bottomed out and is actually rising. It is cheap to insure,you don't need to carry fire and theft because you own it and who would steal it anyway? There is plenty of room to put in a late model engine if you think you need one.

All of that being said, if you need a bigger cab, better ride or you are just plain sick of the beast then buy a new one.

Hope that helped.

 

[MAX A/C]

paccool-

I'm in the same decision mode as you. I used to think our first gens were the ultimate trucks... now I realize they have their advantages in the drivetrain durability area, but a lot of disadvantages on the road. When my wife decided to trade in her Grand Cherokee, we looked for a good used QC '98 (wanted to stick with 12v) but all we could find was super high mileage ones, or ones where the price was close to new. When Dodge offered a rebate of $2300 to close out the '01's, we took the plunge and bought her an '01 QC SB 4x4 6-speed.



The difference between our two trucks is night and day. Hers has so much power, that downshifting around town (for slowing traffic, etc) is pretty much unneccessary. The wide power band and relatively high revving motor makes driving around town a real pleasure, whereas driving around town in mine is a chore. The 505 ft lbs torque makes life real simple! Hers rides better, and is quieter in the cab (less wind noise and engine noise in the cab). On a recent trip I got 22mpg keeping it at 55-65mph, and 18mpg at 75-80 mph. So, the mileage is the same for our two trucks. Her 4wheel disc brakes will seemingly stop on a dime. I like the fact there is no catalytic converter on the 24v engines. The six speed is sweet.



We'll worry about the pump durability issues after the warranty expires in 96,000 more miles! By then, hopefully Bosch will have a new and improved version to retrofit.



Bottom line? After spending time with her new truck, I will probably maybe buy myself an '02 just like hers to get the "last of the 2nd gen" because I don't really care for the styling (inside or outside) of the 3rd gens. Although the 3rd gens will have a more powerful motor, I'll never be hauling anything that 505 ft lbs can't handle reasonably.



Hope this helps!

Scott

 

[Matt S]

Scott,

You need to turn up your fuel pump and get a different turbo housing if 505 ft-lbs impresses you. You should be well over that with some adjustments. I'd buy a new one if you like the ride difference or need a bigger cab. Other wise, a truck is a truck and the real ones ride rough.

 

[paccool]

Well, I'm back home from a business trip. Have been thinking about the truck for a week and after seeing the comments from you guys and thinking about the $ amount, I think I'll stay with the 93 for a few years longer. Will need to spend a few thousand to get it painted and there are a couple of oil leaks that need to be fixed but other than that there shouldn't be anything ELSE that is major. Have spent enough over the past couple of years to last for awhile. New pump, new rear end, new brakes, new wheel bearings all the way around, new injectors, new seats, a few chrome goodies under the hood, and new door gaskets(twice). Oh yea, new transmission a couple of years ago and new tires a few months ago.



Thanks guys for all the comments.