1993 Dodge Ram Cummins W250 - should I buy this?

[Hokie]

Hey guys,

I have been lurking around for the last year or so on this forum and I absolutely love it! The projects that people undertake are amazing and the feedback to threads is very positive and helpful.

I just sold my Jeep CJ that I had building for the last four years (self plug - I am trying to sell my M416 military trailer too!) because I need a truck and something that could handle highway/interstate travel.

My family have always been big Dodge people and I love the 1st gen Ram's so thanks to threads like the ones from Metcalf and Pulltilbroke, I have been searching for one for a while now.

Here's what I found: 1993 Dodge Ram W250 standard cab, auto. Fun part, are you ready!? With the Cummins with only 125,000 miles for $2500 !!!

BUT (and there has to be a but at this price) there are some small rust issues, but nothing major and it is a basic work truck - read no radio and no A/C. I can put in a radio easily enough but I don't think I could handle a summer in Atlanta without air conditioning (and I know my wife can't)

So I have been researching how hard it would be to install an A/C system and not only can I not find any A/C parts but I am having trouble finding any parts for these trucks at all.

So question time:
1) Assuming A/C is a must. How difficult would this be to install? Can I even buy this stuff new or would I have to hit up the parts yards or a donor truck to get all the pieces I need? I guess I am most concerned about the interior pieces like dash vents, behind the dash ducts, the controls, etc and not so much the compressor or other underhood items (I assume they are easier to buy new and replace)

2) Am I completely oblivious to parts suppliers for these trucks or did I just get too spoiled on the large amount of aftermarkets parts available to Jeeps?

Thanks
Ryan

 

[Metcalf]

I would buy it at that price just for the parts....rust to not.

The A/C swap will be challenging, but not impossible. You will probably have to find a complete truck to strip. The most challenging part is probably going to be the a/c compressor bracket on the engine. You can strip most of the in-cab a/x part out of a non-cummins truck also. I think the condenser might be diesel specific. It also totally sucks, but you basically have to have the windshield removed to take out the dash....

The automatic makes me a bit nervous, I am a manual guy. They can be build-up just like anything else, but it adds cost.

As far as parts go....they are not Jeeps You can build a new jeep with just aftermarket parts...frame to body. That is NOT the case with the dodge trucks. The 1st gen dodge trucks don't even have an LMC catalog!

I find most of the small parts i need at places like rock-auto.com. The dealer will still carry some stuff. JC whitney has stuff like door seals. Most of the drivetrain uses the same stuff as a LOT of other vehicles and is very non-specific ( front axle, rear axle, transfer case, etc ). Cummins supports the engine pretty darn well. The leanest area for parts is body replacement panels. You just can't get much, I found all my stuff in rust free southwest junkyards. As long as the cab is pretty rust free you should be ok. I think you can get some panels for cab rust repair, but not everything.

You could generally part the truck out at that cost and make money if it doesn't end up working out.

Good luck on the project, don't hesitate to ask questions, post some pictures when you get a chance.

 

[ColoradoBill]

DON'T BUY IT!!!
I need it for a cummins swap for my ramcharger. It is exactly what I need.

For that price I would get it and figure out the rest later. If you can't use it you can sell it and make a few bucks.

 

[PNWDad]

Try and find another truck to rob the A/C stuff off of. There is allot of stuff that's changed out. For 2500 thats a STEAL!!

My W250 is a 93:sombrero:

 

[Hokie]

I would buy it at that price just for the parts....rust to not.

The A/C swap will be challenging, but not impossible. You will probably have to find a complete truck to strip. The most challenging part is probably going to be the a/c compressor bracket on the engine. You can strip most of the in-cab a/x part out of a non-cummins truck also. I think the condenser might be diesel specific. It also totally sucks, but you basically have to have the windshield removed to take out the dash....

The automatic makes me a bit nervous, I am a manual guy. They can be build-up just like anything else, but it adds cost.

As far as parts go....they are not Jeeps You can build a new jeep with just aftermarket parts...frame to body. That is NOT the case with the dodge trucks. The 1st gen dodge trucks don't even have an LMC catalog!

I find most of the small parts i need at places like rock-auto.com. The dealer will still carry some stuff. JC whitney has stuff like door seals. Most of the drivetrain uses the same stuff as a LOT of other vehicles and is very non-specific ( front axle, rear axle, transfer case, etc ). Cummins supports the engine pretty darn well. The leanest area for parts is body replacement panels. You just can't get much, I found all my stuff in rust free southwest junkyards. As long as the cab is pretty rust free you should be ok. I think you can get some panels for cab rust repair, but not everything.

You could generally part the truck out at that cost and make money if it doesn't end up working out.

Good luck on the project, don't hesitate to ask questions, post some pictures when you get a chance.

Hmm...needing a donor vehicle is the answer I didn't want to hear but expected. Will any year dash from 81 (?) to 93 work or did they change them at some point? I want to say that it was the same basic dash all those years.

The auto is fine with me for now. I would prefer a manual but one thing at a time!

Yes, I did get spoiled with the availablity of Jeep parts, but thanks for the rock-auto link. I will check that out.

Pics are on the way, but I need to resize them so they fit on here.

Thanks again,
Ryan

P.S. - Love your truck. Great build!

 

[Hokie]

DON'T BUY IT!!!
I need it for a cummins swap for my ramcharger. It is exactly what I need.

For that price I would get it and figure out the rest later. If you can't use it you can sell it and make a few bucks.

It's in Virginia, but if you want to road trip, I can tell you where it is!

 

[Hokie]

Try and find another truck to rob the A/C stuff off of. There is allot of stuff that's changed out. For 2500 thats a STEAL!!

My W250 is a 93:sombrero:

Great looking truck! If this one had a either A/C or the extended cab, I would be all over it, but those are two big strikes against it for me. Without those tow things, I am basically buying a $2500 motor that happens to have a truck with it. Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

 

[Metcalf]

The regular cab isn't bad....

-You could install a shell with a boot and no rear window in the cab. Then install a gear basket in the front of the bed. I had a friend when I was younger that ran a little toyota truck like this. It was AMAZING the difference it made in 'space'.

-Install some bucket seats in the standard cab. Then you can 'reach' behind the seats for gear, and store stuff in the center console area.

 

[Hokie]

I am as pic happy as you guys, so here are a few pics of the ol' girl...and no, the toys are not included in the price...

A handy little option I forgot to mention is that the bed has been outfitted with a hydralic dump. Could be cool?

The rust is mainly on the bottom corners of the front fenders and one spot over the driver's side rear tire. And then there is the gaping hole in the floor board - see below.

Interior is clean and dash is solid.

 

[Judoka]

For 2500 if it runs I say buy it! You will have a platform that is tough as nails and capable as hell. What els do you need? While the rest of us are spending money on making our rigs as capable, you spend yours on replacing some rusty places.:victory:

 

[ColoradoBill]

It's in Virginia, but if you want to road trip, I can tell you where it is!

Thanks hokie, but I just can't pull it off right now. I am about a year out before I can think about the dream swap.

 

[Cards81fan]

If anyone is really interested, there are a couple good examples in Northeast OK right now:

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/2294323699.html

$3k

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/2316444744.html

$4k

No affiliation, just vehicles I found browsing around. These appear to be 4x2 examples, but would be pretty solid vehicles to keep as-is in 2wd or a complete running engine/trans for a swap of sorts. Bodies look clean. More than $2500 but probably still worth in parts what they could be bought for.

-Kasey

 

[lowenbrau]

Just a sanity check. My '92 W250is for sale (posted somewhere in the domestic section) for $3500. Mine happens to be manual, extended cab and have air conditioning but it needs tons of brake and steering work and has 425,000km. That reg cab with low miles is a bargain at $2500

Edit... here's the link to mine
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59669

 

[chilliwak]

Hokie, I say buy that truck. For $2500 it is a steal! A little rust only adds character. You will never find a more capable motor than the Cummins! Lots of guys I know would rather sleep with their Cummins than with their wives....:ylsmoke:

 

[Hokie]

Guys, I appreciate all the encouragement (for the record, my wife now hates all of you with great passion!). Everyone I have talked to has come to about the same conclusion - I would be be buying a motor and a project of a truck just happens to come with it. I just finished one project and not sure if I want to start another one, especially if the truck isn't exactly what I want, but it is one heck of a good price..

Still debating....I will let you know!!!!