Our new family member.

[Coalsmoke]

We sealed the deal on our new truck today and I figured that it would only be fitting to give a quick introduction here in the 1st gen section, seeings how good the TDR family has treated me these past 7 or so years.



Its a 1993 Ram 250, 2 wheel drive, limited slip and aside from needing a bit of TLC its in fairly decent shape considering its age. From the best that I can tell, it was purchased off the lot in a town not too far from here by an elderly gentleman with a love for trucks of all sizes (he had a dump truck dubbed "Ms. Pebbles"), he kept it until 2006 at which point it was sold to its second owner, who by his own admission doesn't know much about it other than it was reliable to drive to work and back. I was hoping to contact the original owner, but it looks like he passed away last year. I picked it up with 184,000miles for $2700. It took a LOT of looking to find this truck, but I figure I did ok. Tomorrow its getting 2 new 235/85/16s Toyo Open Country A/Ts on the rear.



So, that about wraps up the intro, be forewarned, I am renewing my membership this week and will have quite a few first gen related questions

 

[Coalsmoke]

Here's a couple of photos since we all like pictures

 

[DValentine]

Looks good. Have fun. Are you welding out of that or is it just for hauling groceries?

 

[EWalshak]

Nice!!!!!!!

 

[MMeier]

Looks damn nice for 2700 bones ! Bring on your questions !!! :-laf Might want to check out these (some of us ) clowns over on 1stGen.org • Index page

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks guys. I'm in the middle of doing the KDP tonight, just about to pull the harmonic balancer when I managed to break my work light so it seemed like a great excuse to call it a night.



I had some 235/85/16 Toyo Open Country A/Ts put on it today and I like the way they ride and handle, very sure footed tires. I've had 4x4s all my life and I can't get over how well this 2wd truck rides, and it actually steers around corners instead of trying to cut through them Oo.



I'm going to go register up at 1stgen.org right away, much appreciated for passing that site along.

Looks good. Have fun. Are you welding out of that or is it just for hauling groceries?

I actually sold off the welding rig right before the recession hit and kept most of the shop equipment. These days I'm doing a bit of specialty welding as well as some renovation carpentry.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Wow! Looks great and I think you stole it! I wouldn't let my 92 go for $2700 and has more miles than yours. Enjoy your new ride!

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks MN Cummins.

Anyone have a source for front sway bar end links? I can't seem to find an aftermarket source at all, going to call the stealership in the morning. If not I guess I'll have to make some up. One of the stock ones is broken and the other side looks to be well on its way.

 

[MMeier]

Thanks MN Cummins.



Anyone have a source for front sway bar end links? I can't seem to find an aftermarket source at all, going to call the stealership in the morning. If not I guess I'll have to make some up. One of the stock ones is broken and the other side looks to be well on its way.

Got mine at NAPA . Would be nice if Maxx Links would make some so I can get a set that deals with the 2 . 5" I gained when I redid the front springs.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks, I'll call Napa in the morning and see what they can find. I checked Napa Online earlier today and only found the bushings for the end links and not the whole units.

 

[Greenleaf]

Is the price/value of these going down?



My 1992 Club cab D250 (same color as pictured) with many less miles cost me 5K in 2003 and it was in need of rust repairs!

 

[Coalsmoke]

No, not around here at least, it seems like they are going up even though most other vehicle prices are dropping. Lots of early 2nd gens are selling for less than some of the 1st gens. Like I said, I looked REAL hard to find this one. Some of the things that helped my price was that the seller was not an enthusiast, that it needs some work, that its a 5 speed and I had to go to the city aka the land of automatics to buy it, and it is a 2wd being sold in snow country.

 

[Coalsmoke]

No dice at Napa, but the dealership parts guy says he figures he found a set. We'll see tomorrow if they are the right ones, and if so I'll post the part numbers.

 

[Greenleaf]

I got my end links/bushings for the sway bar from the dealer. I got many of the other items Ball Joints, Coil Springs,Bushings, Drag link, Tie Rod etc. etc. from NAPA, but they didn't show the sway bar/parts.

 

[Coalsmoke]

OEM part number for just the links, no bushings or other hardware included, is 52006831. Perhaps it will help someone in the future find an aftermarket cross-reference for them.

 

[DGamelin]

I would say you got a good deal, looks nice to. I turned down 4500 last summer for mine.



_________________________

93 250 2wd xc 354 auto 278k

04. 5 3500 4wd qc dully 373 6speed 116k

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks, I'm into it for $5,200 now and I think this may just be the coolest CTD out of the 5 I've owned. I still can't get over how good it rides compared to the 4x4s I'm used to. Still working on using up the first tank of fuel, so not sure how good (or bad) the MPG will calculate out to, but I'm optimistic.