OK, the wife's making me get a new truck ...

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and I've got a dilemna. We're replacing the Black Bomb and the old Buick with a new truck, but we need a crew cab. I've ruled out the Ford, and I've waited six years for Mother Mopar to produce another crew cab. I can't convert an 86, because the reason the wife is making me get a new truck is because I spend too much time working on the 89! That leaves the new Chevy with the Isuzu-built engine and the Allison automatic. It puts out 300hp at 3100 rpm and 625 ft/lbs of torque at 1800 rpm. The Allsion is a five speed, but I don't know if it has a lock-up clutch. Any opinions, other than I'm nuts and a traitor?

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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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Can this really be?? I guess it's better than a Ford! #ad


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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K

[This message has been edited by paccool (edited 11-15-2000). ]

 

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Well, for a lot less than a new Chebby, why not pick up a low mileage 2nd gen. Dodge and have a conversion shop convert it to a true 4door. I've seen some of these and they look really great. I've considered it, but really don't need the extra doors that much.

 

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Why not buy a quad cab? I have a friend with a 2001 2wd six speed. The four doors are great, the rear seat is servicable, and the electronically injected 6 speed cummins rocks!

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1993 W350 Club Cab 5 speed dually. P. W. injectors, Banks stinger, pyro, boost and tach, 22 lbs of boost, and rising... Hey, 'stroke this buddy!

 

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Hey jsimpson, I couldn't agree with moparguy more. In fact one of the past issues of TDR contains an article on a member who did just that with his first generation truck. He turned a regular cab D250 into a crew. From the photos it looks great and information on the converter he used is included in the article. Something to consider. Or you could do what crewcabdiesel did and repower a 1st generation crew.

 

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That's what got me into trouble in the first place - doing all the work on the truck! In order to keep marital harmony, I've got to get a truck, not a project! My son is in Korea and I'm using his 2000 quad cab while he's gone. The four doors and back seat are nice, but not nice enough to replace the Buick to my wife. And to be perfectly honest with you, I like my 1st Gen a LOT better than his 2000 quad cab. But unfortunately a 1st Gen crew cab is outa the question. It would ALWAYS be a project truck - just like my 89 Black Bomb! On the plus side the Allison transmission is a lot stronger than any other automatic available. I guess my only traitorous question left is about the new Isuzu-built engine. I know Isuzu builds good engines, but I can't help but wonder if GM's bean counters cheapened it up to stay competitive?
Hey; at least it's not a FORD!

 

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Reading all the comparisions on the the New/Improved GMC Powertrains I would consider the 8. 1 Vortec gasser that gets **** close to the same mileage as the Isuzu and with the cost of fuel (regular gas cheaper than diesel around hear) it should offset the 1 or 2 mpg difference.

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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 19,500 miles.

Martin Allen Bursell (posted per guidlines)
TDR# 25d286 (posted so they can cancel my subscription easier/faster)

 

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Talk about timing, there is a converted 92 at CanadaTrader.com. Its a crew cab #ad
3/4 ton 1st gen in Alberta, for about $20K Cdn. I will have to search again for the link but its a nice truck! A little bit of a drive for you though!LOL At first I thought it was a typo, but the picture clearly shows its a crew cab.

Jeh

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Jason Hoffman
Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 5 Spd 3. 54 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs. 232,500 miles (372,000 Kms) 7700 Hrs. Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

Lil' Mack Pics

 

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Wife ain't budgin on it being new. My choices are Dodge Ford, Chevy and GMC, 2000 or 2001. The stuff I've been reading shows CONSIDERABLY better mileage with the diesel, not to mention greater torque and at half the rpm. I've got a big block in my Vette; I want a DIESEL in my truck!

 

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I worked on the tooling for the GMT 800 project, the front fenders and 7 different cabs. The crew cab is built with light gauge metal and not much reinforcement, in fact the roof has none. Just check out the wieght of the tailgate and compare it to your truck. GM likes to spend plenty on tooling but won't fix problems even when we find them (pre-production). I also would not trust the new engine, give it a year and see what transpires. Our trucks already had a proven engine, so it wasn't a gamble.

Neil

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Neil Copeman 92 D250,LE,limited slip, 16cm turbo housing, Isspro gauges, factory tach option, Lear cap, DC crankdown tire carrier
Hadley air horns, Stealhorse leather seats, e-mail (home): <bombedcummins@sympatico. ca> (link at top is work adress)

 

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Thanks Neil; good advice!

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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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I know, I know. The wife said get a new one!

But, maybe she'd go for some of this first rate craftsmanship from Bayer Auto.
About $11K complete for a first gen and they use all new factory parts. She could buy herself a nice ride of her own with the $20K you'd save.

#ad




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'93 W250, LE, CC, 4x4, 5spd. , Cummins, K&N, 16cm turbo, Power Wagon injectors, Professionaly rebuilt and calibrated pump, straight exhaust, Lund visor w/lights, 5th wheel, Gooseneck, H. D. rear hitch, Aluminum everything. My Rigs

 

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Thanks Don; that's a NICE ride you got there! How'd you post those pictures anyway?

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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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Don't Do it!
You could GOLD plate a 1985 Dodge Crew Cab with a rebuilt Cummins ,and new Nv4500 Trans and two new axels. for the cost of a new chevy. If you want tips how to build a Crew Cab Diesel Dodge and how much it cost me, Give me a call.

Kyle

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1985 DODGE 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. Last year for the Crew Cab was 1985)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. Kyle Hoover ,Fruitport, MI

 

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jsimpson, talk to your local Cummins shop. I know the one near me puts Cummins engines into Fords, don't know about chevys. I will be up there today and I will ask, and I will get a price for you. Last Ford F-550 crew/Cummins I saw them sell went for 38,500.

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Eric
GLTDR

 

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You only have one other choice if a new Dodge quad won't do it and you cannot build yourself one - and it is not made by Chevy.

Never never never buy a truck that is in its first year of production. You will have more problems with it than building your own, and you probably know that.

There is nothing wrong with PowerStrokeMe's, they just don't have the longevity, mpg, and especially power capabilities of what you are used to. Compared to a gasser, they are still long lasting and have good power, and heck, they even copied Dodge's body style. The worst thing to take with these is that their owners are so **** smug and sure their's is the best, fastest, most powerful truck on the market, and even if you rip by one of them in a 1st gen they fail to acknowledge that a 100 CI less in a straight 6 just ate their lunch - like their brain won't absorb it and they ignore the facts.

Don't buy a first year truck, just my opinion, but very few get it right the first time.
jon.

 

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Good advice. On the other hand, I have an 89 Dodge Ram Cuimmins - 1st year diesel, with a 518 first year overdrive now!

 

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Dorf crew cabs aren't too good either, they used to make them up here in Oakvile. A subcontractor modified the standard cab. Ford would supply a firewall/floor pan sub assembly and a loose back pannel. The sub contractor sawed the floor pan in two and welded in a patch pannel. They supplied a new roof stamping, door pillars and rear doors, and shipped out a finnished cab. I reworked the jig that they built these on, it was about a half inch out of square across the back pannel. They told me oh don't fix that, it won't fit on the truck then. Quality job one, ya right.

Neil

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Neil Copeman 92 D250,LE,limited slip, 16cm turbo housing, Isspro gauges, factory tach option, Lear cap, DC crankdown tire carrier
Hadley air horns, Stealhorse leather seats, e-mail (home): <bombedcummins@sympatico. ca> (link at top is work adress)

 

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Whoah! Used Cummins are gettin cheap down here; must be the price of fuel. I found a 2001 loaded quad dually for $30,000. I'm also looking at a 94 crew conversion even though the wife hs ruled that I get nothing older than 3 years!

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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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In spite of my protestations and attempts to talk her into a 2nd Gen Dodge, we're ordering a maxed-out 2001 Chevy Duramax/Allison crew cab. Gonna use after-market leather so we can keep bench seat instead of buckets. Chevy, like Dodge, does not have power on their trailer-towing mirrors, so ordering standard mirrors. Now I'm going to quietly try to keep the Black Bomb, too. Maybe she won't notice!

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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 (not installed), thermostatically controlled twin 14" Permacool electric fans, intercooler (installed, not plumbed), modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, R-134 refrigernt, louvered front fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothie grille, new Dupont Chroma-colr black, black-and-red rubber rubstrip, Cummins badges, black headlights; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. Jesus saves!