mega_man

What are the main differences in early 1st gen d350 and later 1st gen d350 with a getrag, (ie. 1989-1990 and 1991-1993). I know the main things like intercooler, grill, instruments. I'm looking for like things towing capacities, reared gears, is the trans different at all, frame construction things like that.

Thanks in advanced.

thrub

the frame is lighter in my 90 250 than my 93 350.Not sure if the early 350 frames were also lighter.

9MM

The non intercooled trucks had more grunt to them and in the auto's had two different auto's I think the gearing was the same and towing capacities where the same.

mega_man

I guess what i'm trying to get at is, I am looking to get a d350 and there are two local to me. One is a 1993 and the other is a 1989. Both are 5 speeds. The 1993 has about 190K and the 1989 has about 140K. The 89 is in pristine condition and the 93 shows it's age. They are asking 4500 for the 93 and 6000 for the 89.

I am getting the truck to tow heavy a few times a month, 10000-13000 lb gooseneck, and a wondering if there are any major differences in the trucks.

9MM

If you are going to get it to tow heavy loads you can buy the 89 and put an intercooler in it or you an buy the 93 with the intercooler already. The non-intercooled trucks can tow the load but like to bring the temps up when doing so.

furious70

I personally like the newer interior with stalk mounted wiper controls and such, but the condition and the 50k miles might be worth the $1500 extra.

9MM

Uh you do know all the diesel first gens used the same interior and design right.

DHT

Having owned currently a 91 Non IC W350 5spd and in the past have had both a 92 5spd and 93 as well. IMO if its for towing (mostly) My 91 will "Tote the Mail" (Southern Slang) way more than the other two it seems! Just my personal opionon...Not an expert on anything..just take it for what its worth. This 91 I have is by far the strongest 1st Gen Ive ever owned and its 100% Untouched unmolested with 255K and Im the second owner.

furious70

Looks like a revenue opportunity for me as another posted. Go look in an 89-90 truck and then go look in a 91.5-93.

I suppose you think all the dodge trucks from 81-89 are the same as well?

91.5's are largely the same, but there are a few 'modern' conveniences that I think day to day make the trucks more comfortable to drive. The stalk controls and steering wheels to name 2.

furious70

As far as difference in 'grunt', the 89-90's with the 18cm^2 housing and larger injectors have a definite stock advantage over any IC truck with the 21cm^2 housing for sure. Putting the 16cm^2 housing on fixes all that in a hurry. Turn up the pump on both and they will basically run the same. That's how it's worked for the 4 we've had. In our experience the ones with stock 518's in them do not run near as hard even with similar pump and housing changes. Have had 2 autos as well.

9MM

there where small things I agree like the steering wheel steering um stalk controls changed in the 92's?? My 90 has the wipers on the stalk same as the high n low beam switch. The only REAL interior changes where the bucket seats with center console and the steering wheel. If you want I can even post a picture of the interior in my 90 if that would make you happy?

9MM

I knew that too but I didn't wanna fill the thread up with a bunch of info on things when he just wanted to know what is the best truck for towing not turbo exhaust housing sizes.

furious70

Well, you seem to know it all so the rest of us can stop posting in here then? Not sure what your deal is. Telling the OP that 89-90 trucks have 'more grunt' without giving any details as to why that might be from a technical perspective or from your own experience with the trucks you've owned seems to be of little use to the OP. I was filling in the blanks since he specifically asked for such details.

9MM

I'm not trying to be a know it all but just trying to state the truth. Maybe I missed the part on wanting details as to why I'm sorry.

furious70

No problem, probably the wrong tone in written word vs face to face. I was thinking my brother's 89 had the slider wiper control but maybe I'm remembering wrong and that was our crew duallie.