Talk me out of it, please...

[bkokotovic]

I need moral support. I felt like this only once before in my life, and that's when my dog died .



I'm afraid the old girl is gonna have to go. The repairs are piling up. The previous owner sold it to me just at the right time (for him). Since then I've had the Dana 70 rear dealer rebuilt. Now, I've got to get the vacuum pump/steering pump replaced. I found out this morning that the 4WD doesn't work (new warn hubs, transfercase is OK, I think one of my hubs is sheared), front springs need replacement, master cyl went away...



As soon as I can fix up some of the smaller things (vac. pump, master cyl) I think she'll be on her way to a new home.



Talk me out of it. I've had the truck for about two years (30K miles since then). The Cummins is great, it's just that the rest of the truck is deciding to separate itself from the engine.

 

[Snow man]

I may be a minority here,but i think you did alright in 2 yrs,and 30K miles. You really cant expect anything else froma 10+yr old truck,IMO. If you are able to do your own repairs,maintance,it doesnt make much sense to drive an older truck,it will nickel and dime you to death at todays shop labor rates. Look at what you saved in truck payments with the old truck in 2yrs+depreciation. I chose to buy a newer,but by no means new truck,(a 2000) almost 2yrs ago,the money I saved from buying used allowed me to heavily bomb it . Hopefully you'll sell the old girl to someone who dont mind wrenching on it once and a while in trade for a low price,and low depreciation. Some day there will be a lot of CUmmins 5. 9's around that have outlasted the trucks they were put into.

 

[RGT]

I would try to find a good shop, probably not a dealer, get a price for doing all the stuff you can't or don't want to do yourself and compare that against what you'd be making in payments, taxes, insurance..... and see that it might make sense to keep her... unless you end up buying new you are always at risk when buying used for unknown repairs... just my . 02

 

[Philip]

bkokotovic



Are you wanting to learn to do repairs yourself or are you going to use outside services?



If you are going to use outside service for all repairs. Find a good shop in your area. It should come out cheaper than the dealer. Buy your parts for a automotive supply house (NAPA/Autoquest / cummins and so on).



Dealer as last option.



If you want to learn. Buy a service manual first. Then with the knowledge here at this site. I am sure that we can walk you threw any repair you have. You live up around Detroit. I am sure there are members up there that would probably be willing to get their hands dirty by helping if something is over your head.



Watch the posts. See how many people show up at a bombing party. LOL



Doing repairs on our trucks is not very had. When you go above 93 there you are getting into more complex trucks. Something to think on.



I am biased on this model so I wont tell you to keep or sell. But the questions I ask myself at times like this



questions on the new truck



Can I afford a bigger payment?

Can I afford the higher Insurance?

Can I work on the newer model?



questions on old truck



How long will the repairs done now last?

What will be the next projected big repair for my style of driving?

How many miles can I get before the next big repair?

 

[Midnite]

You can do a whole heck of a lot of repairing for the cost of a newer truck, minus the amount from the sale of your first gen. Keep in mind that the repairs you do will most likely last a very long time.



When I got my '92, I had to replace the front hubs, much of the front end (tie rod ends, etc), and I had a bunch of troubles with my steering components as well--new steering shaft, gearbox, and too much shop time troubleshooting a cracked gearbox mounting bracket. On top of that was a rebuilt injection pump. I'm sure I'm forgetting some little things, but the above alone easily came to about $4000.



Now, if I decided to dump it and go for the 1998 12 valve, 5-speed, quad cab, long bed 2500 I've been dreaming about, I could get maybe $9,000 for the '92 (that's probably optimistic) and have to spend about $20 - 25k for the '98. That's $11,000, and that's the BEST scenario! If I only got $8,000 for the '92 and had to spend $24,000 for the '98, it becomes $16,000! Even in the best scenario, you can do a whole heck of a lot of repairing for $11,000! And don't let anyone fool you into believing that financing will make anything possible--you're STILL paying that $11,000! Think of it as the vaseline the dealer uses when he bends you over the barrel--it may not hurt as much, but you're still getting bent over a barrel!



From a purely financial perspective it is virtually *always* better to maintain your existing vehicle than buy a newer one. Even if it seems like there's always something breaking on it. My advice is keep the 1st gen, find a couple of good independant shops, and never take your truck to a dealer again.



Good luck whatever your choice!

Mike

 

[JLEONARD]

bk,

Looks like the fiancial topics have been pretty well covered.

I don't envy your position. You need to decide if the $$ and time you must put into your truck are worth it to you.

And only you can make that decision.

Whatever you decide we're behind you.

 

[dpuckett]

repair or replace

I, too have been down this road. So far, I have had my 93 for 2 months, and put new tires, brakes, ball joints (top and bottom), idler arm, injector pump, and a few other odds and ends. Even with al the repairs, and new tires (which were obvious when I bought it) ,I still dont have 5 grand in it, an dthat is 3000 to buy it. It works well for what I need, gets 18 mpg pulling a 18' flatbed Bobcat trailer (9250 GVWR with me in it) and 20+ empty. THe ride is a little rough, and it needs an ATS manifold (literally, one bolt has sheared off the stock one). But a new one costs 25K+, and that is for a stripped down one. I consider myself 20 K ahead, and my tags are MUCH cheaper than on a new one, too. Not to mention it is a bit of a sleeper against a Dmax, PSD or Civic.



Daniel

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Hey guys, would it be possible for all of us to 'hit the bricks' so to speak, crank up the phones and the contacts and see if we can come up with some practical help re: wholesale prices, or jobber prices for our fellow Rammer???? This is just a thought and not all the items will be cheap. But maybe, between all of us, we can find some parts that will really help our CTD'r keep his rig.

What do you think??? Is this something that might work or is it over the top... ??



I just MAY have someone who will part with a vacuum pump and or PS unit for reasonable cost. I can't confirm that but I would be willing to see if he still has them and what he may want for them.

What about you guys? Any sources??



Just a thought.



Bob.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The basic problem, at least for me, is that I don't know how accurate the diagnoses are. The cost could be low for the vac/ps pump if only the vac pump seal is bad, or if the ps pump needs a new seal kit. Similarly, the 4wd problem could be easy or hard to fix. In order to keep pretty much any older vehicle on the road for a reasonable cost, you need a mechanic who can diagnose and repair problems efficiently and effectively. Parts changers abound, and see that their profits are directly related to how many parts they change. Real mechanics are relatively rare, but clearly needed in this case. When the owner can't do the diagnoistics, it is real hard to help on this forum from a distance. . .



I hope your poor old Ram is still a "he" and not surgically converted to a ewe

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Joe makes one heck of a good point,,, parts changers are everywhere... . good diagnostics and proper repair shops/people are worth their weight in gold.



Bob.

 

[b.ferrara]

bk



I bought a 90' in Jan of 97' everyone told me I was crazy. At that time it had 160k. Took it home detailed the interior, got it to where I could sit in it comfortably. Then started the mechanics.

sand blasted chasis, brakes, drums, wh cyls, brake lines and shocks. Front brakes, cut rotors and shocks. Master cyl, rebuilt

alternator, all new hoses and a belt. Re-lubed the diffs, 5spd,

and transfer case, and a new front shaft. Inthe last week I did

new hubs, tie rod ends and the "KDP" tweaked the pump all of this for about $1,300 she now has 218k, all those guys that thought I was crazy wished they bought it instead of their fords and chevys, which are long gone! Just waiting to do the water pump, radiator and battery, biggest decision for is do I let the e-bay winner have it? then regret it forever or keep it another 6 yrs and 60k. Take care, good luck with your decision, Bill

 

[Paul Herioux]

Bill,

Hold on to the old girl at least till March and come to the bombing session at Macomb. See the event forum for details. I'll be at the event and help you go over the diagnostic stuff with you and maybe we can even fix some of the things at that time. I'm sure there are a lot of other guys(and gals) in the GLTDR that are willing to provide guidence and assistance. I'd come down and look at it sooner if I weren't 7 hours away.

See ya in March,

Paul

 

[RDBuck]

"old truck"

Its' a funny thing but a lot of times at a gas station or coffee shop someone will walk up and ask about the truck. This happens even when there is a new PS or Dura sitting near-by or even a newer Dodge. The old girl is getting distinctive as there are not that many of them coming down the road. In good shape the 1st gens are a sharp looking truck. With a few modifications it can be made to perform with the best new ones and surprise some of them in the process. There is another 1st gen around here that is rigged up as a welders truck and it is sharp! The owner told me he gets more business because of his truck than he does with any other advertising. Sometimes the urge to buy new is so strong that I go to the dealers, drive a test truck and sit down and go thru the numbers. Then I drive home happy in my 1st gen.

 

[bighammer]

I just looked up Linden (to see if you are close) and a drive down to Warren for the Macomb event shouldn't take you over an hour. I think it would be worth it to meet some local members and have some help in looking at what you have to deal with. I was surprised at the number of 1st gen trucks there last year and their expertise.



Edit: OK, ignore my signature. It's a scary quote but it's really meant to just be funny.

 

[bkokotovic]

just what i needed

guys,



i really appreciate the support. Financially, I understand the investment in a new truck. Thus far, by my calculations, the truck has cost $150 / month. Unfortunatelly, most of that money comes in large chunks.



I'm gonna repair what I can myself. I've had the vac tested at the pump (read zero). I can get a replacement for about $180. So, once that's done, i'll be a lot more satisfied driving. In retrospect, yes, the truck needs work. But, so does my '1972 Datsun 240. But that's half the "fun" I guess. As long as I can maintain the drivability, I'll be happy. I made a brief list of items that need immediate attention:

-vac pump

-power steering pump (free w/warranty)

-the lack of 4WD isn't horrible, but would be nice.



The rest are wants: Suspension lift from Skyjacker, and new tires. Of course, some paintwork, interior trim...



I'll see what I can do. I really appreciate the honest responses. If I can, I'll join you fellas in Macomb.



Thanks again

 

[JLEONARD]

Oo.

 

[b.ferrara]

2nd gen cooler

Paul I just noticed you say you have a intercooler 2nd gen.

how much of a job was the conversion, or is it fairly easy.

thanks Bill.