Questions about '89 D250

[dan brooks]

A friend is looking for a truck and this one is for sale locally:



http://www.jjtams.com/units/560.html



What are the drawbacks of a non-intercooled truck? How hard is it to add an intercooler down the road? The non-overdrive trans isn't an issue - he owns a transmission shop and can always swap one in if he wants.



The truck will likely be used as a daily driver and parts runner for his shop, and a tow vehicle for his Jeep. I'm very happy with my '92 and how well it handles the load of my Jeep and trailer, but don't know much about the 89's.



The price seems right as long as it's mechanically sound. Any particular things to check for?

 

[1stgen4evr]

89 truck

Looks exactly like my 89. Same price. I would say go for it. There may a few bucks to spend but it will be a very inexpensive truck in the long run. I expect your friend will want to upgrade to OD but the intercooled thing isn't that big a deal. It has enough power as it is. There are some issues with the head developing cracks around the injectors but that may never be a problem. The truck has a smaller radiator as well but it IS a good truck.



And it does NOT have a PCM which is a plus in my opinion.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[southpaw]

Dan , I can relate my expierence with you about the 89. I bought one with 80k on it , it now has 140k. I have put a new water pump on it, new injection pump, lift pump, paint, front brakes, and 2 injectors. It has been a daily driver getting 20 plus mpg and I have pulled a V. W. van on a car trailor and a 12 ft. u-haul still getting 15- 17 mpg not heavy loads but no problems for the cummins it a super truck noisey and stiff but reliable and a tough work horse I like it better in many ways than my 93. it,s quicker and at this time gets much better mpgs than my 93 .

 

[dan brooks]

Thanks - I'll pass the info on.

 

[dpuckett]

Heck, for that price, I'd take it. Lot better looking than the rust bucket sitting in my dirveway right now. But mine has the transmission I want, or closer than a slushbox, anyway. Mine had 240K on it when I traded for it. I have HAD TO put on a turbo, head gasket, alternator, and 1 injector. It came to me with the larger radiator, and newer springs all around. Your budyd may have to put some money into it (larger radiator comes to mind), but if he is only going to haul a Jeep, he may not need to put much into it.



Talk him into a pyrometer and 30+psi boost gauge- mine gets hot quick, though I'm flowing quite a bit more fuel than stock..... Towing a 4000# horse trailer and 1 horse, I hit 1300 going up a few mild hills here in MO. I was in 5th, and keeping 60mph, though. Had I downshifted, and dropped to 50-55 (4. 10 gears), I would have been fine, I think.



Daniel

 

[bgilbert]

Boy that sure looks like a stay away from me truck, lots of miles, has been used to haul 5th wheel trailers, probly too much, can we say, gonna need a new rear end, new transmission or rebuilds... for that price, its for sale for a reason, RE and transmission probly bout gone, need front end parts, list goes on... Pay the premium now, shouldnt have to put alot more money into it, go cheap now, well then put that much and more back into it. . JMO

 

[JLEONARD]

Yes the truck may need lots of parts... nothing more than any other 1989 truck with lots of miles... of any brand, esp if it was towing heavy.



But to address the non intercooled issue... .

My truck has no problems that are related to not being intercooled... . it starts easy, even in the winter, runs good and strong with the few mods I've done, gets 24 mpg, coolant temp runs cool, smoke & EGTs are in control. I thought about adding an intercooler, but decided against it because I really have no reason to add one.

But I don't tow, don't haul on a regular basis, and live in relatively cool New England.

Jay

 

[dpuckett]

You can rebuild the rear end for $600-700, including r&p and carier. If the fluid has been changed regularly, it may not need it. Same for the transmission. Rebuild for it is well under a grand. So you MIGHT have $5k in it, and be good to go for another 300K. Some $5K trucks need that and more. The body appears to be in good shape, as far as I could tell. It IS 15 years old, and it will have minor problems. I know of a maroon and gold 92 around Calhan with almost 100K on it, that sucks fuel, rides like a log wagon on square wheels (even though it has air ride on all 4 corners), makes you wonder if the AFC is cut off, or if the turbo is even connected to the engine; but by golly, it has low miles, and it looks nice, and has never pulled more than a cab over camper. I wouldnt spit in the wind for that thing. Give me a pickup (or woman or horse ) that has worked, and may be a little rough around the edges, but kept lubed and in good shape and is dependable to not drain all your money in normal operations. Sitting in a garage 6 months at a time is just as hard on it, if not harder than being run like it was stolen.



-DP

 

[CGauthier]

Heck, for only $3000 i'd buy it just for the hood ornament THAT is one thing that I dont like, is that they stopped putting on those things I might have to go steal the one off the '49 3/4 ton my grandpa bought brand new

 

[paccool]

LOL about the hood ornament! I looked at buying a new truck back in 89 or 90 and didn't want the hood ornament. Got in an argument with the sales guy and walked away from it. My brother had just bought a new truck without the ornament and the sales guy told me that was not possible, they all had them. Walked before we went to blows over the silly thing. Personally, I was glad to see them go but that is just my opinion.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

also, the early 3/4 tons have 3. 07 gears, so the OD isn't really a "necessity"



Forrest