Help me pick my first 1st Gen (Cummins) truck!

[LJinLA]

Hello Everyone, this is my first post here.
I'm in Los Angeles and I've been searching for a 1st Gen Cummins for a few months now. Of course my first choice is a 1992-93 W250, manual transmission, but I haven't come across many for sale, and when I did they were priced very high. After a few months looking, I'm now eager to get started and more willing to compromise. I've been using craigslist to search since, as far as I could tell by reading the forums, that's where most guys got their best deals. Any suggestions as to where else to search to find a good deal will be much welcome and appreciated.

A few days ago, I located something that could be tempting...it's low priced but the injection pump has some problems...it's a 1989 D250 with less than 170K miles, rebuilt automatic transmission, that I could get at around $2,000, but the owner says the injection pump is leaking and must be rebuilt or maybe could be fixed by replacing a gasket. Does the fact that the truck is low mileage and low-priced make it a good deal in spite of the problem with the IP, if this were the only major problem with the truck? Unfortunately, this deal is 400 miles away. from where I live..

My main reason for getting a truck is for expedition travel. My girlfriend and I love beautiful natural surroundings and have visions of using a 1st Gen Cummins equipped with a camper shell and a few other items to explore the beautiful nature of California and surrounding states.
After a lot of reading on the subject, it seems to me that what we need is a 4x4 truck truck w/ manual transmission. I plan to eventually put on larger tires (37s) and it seems that a manual transmission would be best and most reliable. Our dilemma is, should we be patient and keep looking and waiting for a manual 4x4, which might take a very long time, or should we compromise on both requirements and grab the next good deal on a D250 auto if the price is right? Most of the 1st Gens I've come across are 4x2 autos......

This will be my first Cummins, so please let me have all the good advice/opinions you are willing to give. Thanks.

 

[pulltilbroke]

If a 4x4 is what you want/need then hold out for the best one you find in your price range. Also you gotta be willing to travel if you want to find a good truck.

 

[rxinhed]

http://chico.craigslist.org/cto/3736184102.html



http://redding.craigslist.org/cto/3720280108.html

Try using searchtempest.com?

 

[rxinhed]

...and this:

http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/3709282975.html

 

[LJinLA]

Hey thanks for the links, I already contacted a few of them just this morning.
And for the searchtempest.com suggestion - very useful indeed

As far as going for the cheap 2wd, I look at it this way: if the pump were the only major problem, it would be a good deal, as it would give me the chance of enjoying the truck right away, putting on a used shell, building a sleeping platform, etc., all of which could be transferred to a 4x4, manual, once I find it......then I would sell the 2wd after having enjoyed it for a while and having gone through some of the learning curve of taking care of a cummins......but what if it won't be this easy and there will be more problems that require fixing...the cheap truck could reveal itself to be the proverbial can of worms, I would be stuck with a money pit truck, not being what I am ultimately shooting for. It's a tough call.

All considered, I think that waiting a bit longer for a 4x4 manual, which is really what I need, might be my best option. Thanks for your opinions and suggestions, please keep them coming....it's all very helpful.

How far would you be willing to travel to inspect a truck? I'd like to hear from those who have bought their truck more than two or three hundred miles away. How do you establish that going to check it out is worth the expense of traveling a long distance? I've always bought my vehicles relatively locally, and would like to hear more about it..... Thanks.

 

[rxinhed]

I've actually been in three states looking at trucks. I'm scouting Dodge Dana 60s for my Ramcharger. For one that I'd consider buying, all the signs would need to be positive. I have actually driven 400 miles to see a vehicle, was very disappointed the head gasket blew while I was test driving it...I passed.

 

[LJinLA]

I've actually been in three states looking at trucks. I'm scouting Dodge Dana 60s for my Ramcharger. For one that I'd consider buying, all the signs would need to be positive. I have actually driven 400 miles to see a vehicle, was very disappointed the head gasket blew while I was test driving it...I passed.

See, that's exactly why I'd rather find something relatively local......it's not unusual to take a long trip only to find out that the vehicle doesn't quite fit the seller's description/buyer's expectation.
I hear about those traveling literally thousands of miles to buy the right truck and I wonder...

 

[bfdiesel]

See, that's exactly why I'd rather find something relatively local......it's not unusual to take a long trip only to find out that the vehicle doesn't quite fit the seller's description/buyer's expectation.
I hear about those traveling literally thousands of miles to buy the right truck and I wonder...

Sometimes it is just fun to travel as well

 

[LJinLA]

Sometimes it is just fun to travel as well

Sure it is

 

[gsanders]

I have purchased two vehicles long distance (both over 300 miles). I went to visit both before purchasing and I would recommend it, especially if you don't want to sink in a ton of money with repairs. I also just purchased a 2001 Dodge CTD last year. First, I would learn about all the weaknesses of the specific vehicle in question. It sounds like you have done some of that. Get on Cummins Forum if you haven't already and read about the specific years and the issues. All vehicles have weak spots. Learn how to identify the weaknesses visually. Then, use Search Tempest to find something. If it is a day trip, I say go check it out. Over a day trip, my recommendation is to find a local mechanic to look at it. Tell the seller you want to have the truck inspected and you will pay for it if they can drop it off for the day. For most people, if the truck is in as good of condition as they say it is there should be no problem to do this. I would also recommend negotiating a purchase price as a starting point before having the inspection done (read more below).

I even did this for my Dodge CTD and it was a local purchase. I test drove it and the fuel pressure gauge was reading low. I knew this was a telltale sign of a failing lift pump (from my months of reading on Cummins Forum), so I asked the seller if he would mind if I had it inspected by a local diesel specialty mechanic. I paid the $75 for the inspection, and they determined that the lift pump was going, the transmission gasket was weeping a bit, and no other major issues. The seller and I had agreed to a purchase price before the inspection, assuming the inspection went fine. Based on the inspection, I asked the mechanic for an estimate for a new, upgraded Airdog Raptor lift pump and I went back to the seller and offered him a new price discounted for the upgraded lift pump. So, I saved $500, got a new upgraded lift pump, and drove away with the peace of mind that the truck would have no other major issues. The $75-100 for an inspection is great insurance in my mind to make sure you don't end up with a money pit.

Good luck!

 

[ih8philly]

See, that's exactly why I'd rather find something relatively local......it's not unusual to take a long trip only to find out that the vehicle doesn't quite fit the seller's description/buyer's expectation.
I hear about those traveling literally thousands of miles to buy the right truck and I wonder...

I traveled about 300 miles to purchase my last vehicle. The seller uploaded several dozen photos. We spoke on the phone a couple of times. Everything that I could check remotely checked out fine. He picked me up from the airport and I drove home with the vehicle. I certainly wouldn't do it with every seller. But luckily it worked out in this case. For me it was all about the impression I got from the seller. Once I was comfortable with dealing with him remotely, the rest were just details.

 

[redthies]

I traveled about 300 miles to purchase my last vehicle. The seller uploaded several dozen photos. We spoke on the phone a couple of times. Everything that I could check remotely checked out fine. He picked me up from the airport and I drove home with the vehicle. I certainly wouldn't do it with every seller. But luckily it worked out in this case. For me it was all about the impression I got from the seller. Once I was comfortable with dealing with him remotely, the rest were just details.

I've done things this way a few times. All good experiences. I just got home from buying another Airstream trailer to renovate and sell. I bought it sight unseen, and drove 1100 miles round trip to pick it up. Crazy you say? Not if you got a deal like I did. It was rougher than I expected so I negotiated another 15% off an already ridiculously low price!

 

[LJinLA]

I have purchased two vehicles long distance (both over 300 miles). I went to visit both before purchasing and I would recommend it, especially if you don't want to sink in a ton of money with repairs. I also just purchased a 2001 Dodge CTD last year. First, I would learn about all the weaknesses of the specific vehicle in question. It sounds like you have done some of that. Get on Cummins Forum if you haven't already and read about the specific years and the issues. All vehicles have weak spots. Learn how to identify the weaknesses visually. Then, use Search Tempest to find something. If it is a day trip, I say go check it out. Over a day trip, my recommendation is to find a local mechanic to look at it. Tell the seller you want to have the truck inspected and you will pay for it if they can drop it off for the day. For most people, if the truck is in as good of condition as they say it is there should be no problem to do this. I would also recommend negotiating a purchase price as a starting point before having the inspection done (read more below).

I even did this for my Dodge CTD and it was a local purchase. I test drove it and the fuel pressure gauge was reading low. I knew this was a telltale sign of a failing lift pump (from my months of reading on Cummins Forum), so I asked the seller if he would mind if I had it inspected by a local diesel specialty mechanic. I paid the $75 for the inspection, and they determined that the lift pump was going, the transmission gasket was weeping a bit, and no other major issues. The seller and I had agreed to a purchase price before the inspection, assuming the inspection went fine. Based on the inspection, I asked the mechanic for an estimate for a new, upgraded Airdog Raptor lift pump and I went back to the seller and offered him a new price discounted for the upgraded lift pump. So, I saved $500, got a new upgraded lift pump, and drove away with the peace of mind that the truck would have no other major issues. The $75-100 for an inspection is great insurance in my mind to make sure you don't end up with a money pit.

Good luck!

Thanks for your very valuable suggestions! Yes I'm also on cummins forum and have been doing a lot of reading. I have no problem traveling 400-500 miles to inspect a truck in the light of what you have written above, but I'm not willing to go over that distance unless I'm looking at a truly exceptional deal. I've very much appreciated your post.

 

[LJinLA]

I traveled about 300 miles to purchase my last vehicle. The seller uploaded several dozen photos. We spoke on the phone a couple of times. Everything that I could check remotely checked out fine. He picked me up from the airport and I drove home with the vehicle. I certainly wouldn't do it with every seller. But luckily it worked out in this case. For me it was all about the impression I got from the seller. Once I was comfortable with dealing with him remotely, the rest were just details.

I've done things this way a few times. All good experiences. I just got home from buying another Airstream trailer to renovate and sell. I bought it sight unseen, and drove 1100 miles round trip to pick it up. Crazy you say? Not if you got a deal like I did. It was rougher than I expected so I negotiated another 15% off an already ridiculously low price!

Sure, in similar conditions, I would do it too. Thanks! My comments in my previous post were about buyers willing to go to a much greater distance than that, those suggesting to search for deals in other states... I have no problem whatsoever traveling 500 miles to go inspect a deal once all the homework suggested in the previous posts has been taken care of.

 

[rxinhed]

http://pueblo.craigslist.org/cto/3711021729.html