What not to get?

[InlineDieselFan]

jayhaitch,

91 is gettin up there in age, how many miles?

when and who did the last tranny rebuild?

your brakes will leave a lot to be desired, and unless it has some performance upgrades it will seem sluggish as can be. those early models were low on HP, so not real quick but they can still pull a load.

Also with that age of a truck what is the body and frame condition like?

The first generation models were not well known for the comfort of the ride when empty.

steve

 

[jayhaitch]

This truck is not at a local dealer, so I'm deciding if it's worth taking a trip to view. The high res photos the dealer sent make it look as if it's in excellent condition. I'm waiting for a reply to exactly the questions you asked.

Thanks for the tips. I seem to remember ~190 hp for the Gen 1 Cummins, can't remember the torque. A bit hard riding is OK. I had an 89 Jeep YJ with off road shocks. Good thing I don't have dentures, or I'd have been toothless regularly over our potholed roads I'm looking at a cheaper/older diesel as I don't plan on keeping it forever, just to reduce the cost of my now longer commute from our new house, and to have a pickup to do all the dirty jobs I'm planning (landscaping, etc). I want to keep my Expedition for quite awhile, so I'd rather not beat it up doing what I've got in mind for the new place. Besides, I've always wanted a diesel, and this is the excuse, uh, logical reason I need to get one.

 

[Highbeam]

The old first gen dodges only made 160 HP and I believe 350 torque. Easily adjusted to get into the 300 HP range though. Aftermarket parts are not as plentiful on the oldest cummins rams either.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Right now I'm checking into a 91 Dodge Ram Cummins 4x4 auto. Anyone have any comment on these first generation Cummins'?

A 1991 Dodge pickup truck is not a Ram series truck. It's a W series and it was first built back in the early 1970's and probably designed in the 1960's
It feels like it.
Real simple trucks, but no niceities at all.
The early Cummins make less power but get a lot better mileage.
Don't get an auto.

 

[Highbeam]

In 1991 they might not have called it a ram but it had a goat head on the hood. My silverado is also denoted as a K series.

My employee's 93 first gen dodge has power windows, cruise control, and AC. They ride rough and are utilitarian looking for sure. You're buying a cummins that just happens to be surrounded by a dodge truck. A necessary evil.

 

[jayhaitch]

The one I'm investigating also has PW, PDL, AC, cruise. Looks to me like an RV hauler not a commercial vehicle, but I'll wait for confirmation from the dealer.

Highbeam: love your phrase. It's an excellent way to think about it: I'm buying the good engine around a not great truck. If the values stay up, I should be able to get a reasonable price in a few years when I'm done with it in any case. Assuming of course, it checks out OK. I'll see what the dealer says tomorrow.

 

[gemini5362]

The duramax engines prior to mid 2004 had a fuel injector problem. Chevrolet upped the warranty to 7 years and 200,000 miles to cover the injectors. The injectors on that engine are under the valve covers. The ball at the bottom of the injector was cracking and it would pour diesel fuel into the lubticating oil. If you happen to look at duramax diesels you might want to check and see if the engine has the replacement injectors or the original ones. I saw some of the posts about chevrolet trucks. When I looked at new trucks I was impressed with the looks of the Ford Trucks and the rear view mirrors on them. The chevrolet trucks to me were set up more for working. Is easier to clean the inside of the cab and it seems to be more durable material. Comfort is not a big problem I have a 2006 LT3 with heated leather seats etc etc. We take my truck on vacations just because it is so comfortable. I believe the allison transmission is probably the best automatic there is. If you go look at a 500,000 dollar RV it will have an allison transmission. I would also recomend a bed cover. When you have tools or suitcases whatever in the back of your truck it keeps them dry and out of sight. I use a brand called "Undercover"
it is built out of an ABS plastic. I weigh about 230 pounds and can walk on top of mine with no problem while it is on the truck. Removing it takes about 5 min and it only weighs about 40 pounds. I was only going to put in my two cents worth but it looks like I got carried away and give you a whole nickels worth

 

[RedRocker]

Something else to consider with a Dodge. The NV4500 5 speed is prone to having the 5th gear nut back off and leave you with a 4 speed. Ask me how I know, 4 time in 150,000 miles. I had three vacations ruined with that POS. I gave up and put in a 6 speed NV5600 in my 97 dually. If you're gonna tow, that's the way to go.

 

[2nstonge]

to the guys with the Hemi's, I hear stories of pretty horrible gas mileage. What kind of mileage are you seeing? towing and not towing. 1500 or 2500?

'04 2500 w/auto. I tow a 6x10 enclosed tool trailer almost every day, if not that I tow a 14ft dump trailer with a JD 4110 loaded on it. Most driving is on secondary roads (50mph) or town roads, lots of gravel town roads...mpg is about 10 when towing, 13 when not. In foliage season - like now - I routinely have to pass touristas who are driving waaaayyy to slow so they can see the leaves...the hemi is da bomb in this situation.

-Norm