Help me pick my first 1st Gen (Cummins) truck!
- Thread starter LJinLA
- Start date
This is a pretty good looking '90 W250 auto for $8K...I'm really waiting for an intercooled W250 manual, with a budget of $3-5K, but perhaps others can take advantage of this deal.
Thanks.
rxinhed
Dirt Guy
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
^^^^^
Not sure about the meaning of your ^^^^^ , but if you were pointing to my expectation of finding a W250 manual in that price range being unrealistic, last December I came across a low miles one (4x4, manual) being sold very locally for $3,400 by an elderly gentleman. Foolish me, I should have grabbed it and paid for it upon test driving it, but instead told the owner to let me think about it, that I'd give him my answer the following day.....and the truck was sold for the asking price that very night! Obviously. That was a low-mile truck in pretty good condition, and I do realize such deals do not come across very often. The fact remains, though, that my budget for my purchase is $5K or less, and for that amount I'm willing to get something far from perfect that requires work to be done on it.... So, I don't think to be so much off-the-wall in my expectation that a W250 manual can be found for $5K or less. And I am willing to compromise too: This morning I almost went through with purchasing a '93 D350 auto.....nice truck though high miles.....we had agreed on $2,100 for the truck yesterday, then upon getting there to close the deal this morning the guy says to me, "I won't let it go at less than $2,600." I don't like that type of tactics, so I let it go.
Let's see what I can come up with.... I'll post it here and I hope to not make anybody envious when I do!
rxinhed
Dirt Guy
I'm pretty sure this is an arrow pointing to a previous post in this thread. Still, If I find something trolling the net, I'm going to post it unless told otherwise.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I was pointing out that your budget is $3-5000, and that you want a W250 with a stick.
People have been very kindly posting their Craigslist finds, and I was merely reminding them of your budget and desired rig. I would have just quoted you, but had to put five characters of my own for the post to work.
I'm sure you will find what you are looking for. It just takes time. I had resigned myself to buying a 24 valve auto truck as duallies are rare in my area, and the night before I was going to buy one, along came my '98 quadcab 12 valve with a stick. The '98 was also $3000 less than the not so desireable 24 v auto I was looking at. It all came down to luck really. Keep searching!
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
If you see a '92 or newer Ramcharger that I could get for a song (rust free of course) for a future 12 v swap, let me know!
OK, thank you And sorry for the misunderstanding.
My ultimate goal remains a '92-'93 W250 manual. However, should a great deal come up locally on a 1st gen 2WD auto (like the one mentioned in my previous post of yesterday seemed to be), I'd definitely go for it, but I'll always keep searching for my ideal 4x4 manual truck until I find one. The way I'm looking at it, a "temporary truck" reasonably priced that doesn't require much work and that can be resold later pretty quickly (without losing money in the process) would allow me to get started camping in a bed shell and enjoying NOW the cummins experience ... I realize a suitable W250 stick in my price range may take a while to come across. On the other hand, my gf from overseas will be here next month (it would be great to have a truck with shell ready to go camping when she's here ), hence my being open to owning a compromise truck for some time while waiting for the right one. Obviously, if I stumble upon a "temporary one" that needs much $$$ for repairs, my plan ends up getting screwed . I'm just trying to play with my options and appease my eagerness to get started.
And sorry for the misunderstanding.My ultimate goal remains a '92-'93 W250 manual. However, should a great deal come up locally on a 1st gen 2WD auto (like the one mentioned in my previous post of yesterday seemed to be), I'd definitely go for it, but I'll always keep searching for my ideal 4x4 manual truck until I find one. The way I'm looking at it, a "temporary truck" reasonably priced that doesn't require much work and that can be resold later pretty quickly (without losing money in the process) would allow me to get started camping in a bed shell and enjoying NOW the cummins experience
... I realize a suitable W250 stick in my price range may take a while to come across. On the other hand, my gf from overseas will be here next month (it would be great to have a truck with shell ready to go camping when she's here ), hence my being open to owning a compromise truck for some time while waiting for the right one. Obviously, if I stumble upon a "temporary one" that needs much $$$ for repairs, my plan ends up getting screwed . I'm just trying to play with my options and appease my eagerness to get started.
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Well my girl will be in town for a few months.....that's a lot of $$$ to rent a SUV for that long.
On the other hand ... I've just concocted a crazy idea
fueled by momentary desperation You guys tell me what you think of it, hopefully dissuading me from pursuing it if it doesn't make much sense.I've just come across a local deal, it's a 93 D250, reg cab, NV4500 5-speed stick, salvage title, but in good mechanical condition (though beat up cosmetically) that I could get for, say, $800. The thing is, it has a GAS (5.2L/318 v8 - not a cummins) engine in it. New battery, alternator and belt. AC blows cold. Heat/wipers/lights all work as they should. Good tires with lots of tread. Just passed CA smog. Starts up every time. The bad stuff: gas gauge doesn't work, 3rd gear syncro is bad, steering has some play, probably needs tie rod ends.
This is my thinking: could get it very cheap, get a $100 shell for it and use it for camping as is. Then, in the long run drop a cummins engine in it and little by little fix whatever needs fixing. Is this totally off the wall? Please bring me back to my sanity with your feedback. (The tempting part is that it can be gotten very, very cheaply...)
BKCowGod
Automotive ADHD is fun!
Another thing to consider - In California, converting to a Diesel engine is complex. Not saying it can't be done, but the DMV gives you very much many hoops to jump through.
I totally understand the wait for the dream rig... It took me three years to find a Dakota with the options I wanted for the price I could justify. But when I finally got it it was wonderful knowing I was not compromising at all. Would have gone a bit quicker if I hadn't bought six other cars in the interim.
I totally understand the wait for the dream rig... It took me three years to find a Dakota with the options I wanted for the price I could justify. But when I finally got it it was wonderful knowing I was not compromising at all. Would have gone a bit quicker if I hadn't bought six other cars in the interim.