Hello Everyone, this is my first post here after the introduction.
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.

 

I would wait for what you really want. What's your price range, how far you willing to travel for the right deal?

 

I agree with 93flatbed! Be patient and get what you want. Doing the touring/offroad camping ect I'd say a 4x4 manual is the ticket. Keep checking cl and eBay plus the folks on here. Good luck!!

 

I too agree with the others...don't compromise. Take your time and find the truck you really want. And try to get it in as nice a condition as you can find too.

Also don't be afraid to travel for one too. Being in Cali check your local rules and regs about bringing in an older truck from out of state.

I would post up "Wanted" ads through CL, and as many on-line cummins/diesel forums you can find. You would be surprised what people are willing to sell, but just don't advertise. That's how I ended up with a complete, low mileage, but rusty, W250 for a donor truck...want ad response out of the blue!

Good luck!

 

I agree. Don't compromise on 4WD. When you need it, you don't want to be without it. I'd advise you to wait on a 4WD.

 

here in cal, these trucks are emissions exempt, all the way up to '98 12 valve, I travel all over 3 weeks every summer, it was 10 years ago I decided another bigger truck/camper combo was in order to make the 100 year anniversary of Harley Davidson, I bought my truck totaled, put the front axle back together and in the truck, adding the fourwheel camper, four months later found ourselves in Wisconsin, the first trip the truck had taken in four years came to 12,000 miles, ive put on 170k since, mostly enjoying the rockies, and western deserts, every time I get in it, I want to go explore, I love this truck. ill pm you some help.

 

Thanks guys for the advice....
As far as my price range, $2K-5K (which is why I was tempted to go for the $2K auto 2x4 with the leaking IP). I'm hitting myself on the head for not having gone for a deal I came across last year (but at the time wasn't committed on getting a 1st Gen as I'm now)....it was a local sale, asking $3,400 for a 1992 W250, 4x4, manual transmission. Old guy, and the truck looked really in good shape. I stupidly offered $3,000 and the truck was gone that same night....
So, these very good deals are out there, though they are far and few between.
But you are right, I should wait longer and go for something I really need.
As far as a leaking IP, I've seen a few trucks with this issue advertised for sale....is this issue reason good enough to not buy a truck, or if the price is right, something to consider? Is there a way to fix an IP leak short-term so that the truck can be driven home, and how much $$ for a long-term fix?

 

Leaking IP's are not a big deal. If you can get the truck a bit cheaper due to it then go for it. I drove over 400 miles with a badly leaking pump. As long as the the truck runs fine then the leak is secondary, or more of an embarrassment when parked.

To buy a new, or re-serviced pump could cost you $500-$1000+ depending on where you get it. If you can do the work yourself, you can get a re-seal kit for about $25.

 

I bought my 4x4, manual transmission down in LA about a year ago. It was in rough condition but it ran really strong, so I bought it for 3,900 and have been slowly going through everything. I developed a small leak in my ip but it was a real easy, quick fix. I just had to change out a cracked O-ring and I didn't even have to take anything off or out of the truck.

I was in your situation before I bought my truck and I am glad I waited for the 4x4 manual tranny.

 

As far as 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......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.

So it's very likely that your advice to wait for what I really want and need is the best advice. I've been getting mostly the same suggestion in other forums as well...

 

You summed it up pretty well!

 

Thing with these trucks is that they are 20+ years old, and will require up keep and maintenance. Most of the reason guys are selling their trucks is because they see that the costs of maintenance is going to be higher then the actual cost of the truck.

More then likely any truck you get will require a significant amount of repair to get it back up to the regular, daily driver status. So save your money and spend it once on the truck you really want.

 

Yep, I paid $1500 for mine and I'll never get my money out of it after putting in new front suspension, built tranny, built FI pump, rebuilding the AC system. Get what you want, not something "temporary"...

 

Or you could do one better, find an old gas rig of the body style you want and swap in a newer drivetrain to build the best rig. But that all depends on your mechanical know how and time/money.

There is one or two 5 speeds out here by me. You aren't really all that far, 7 hours taking it easy.

 

To the OP, if you're up for a conversion, I've got a great running motor and trans. sitting in a '91.5 parts truck in my backyard.