I have no idea, as I've never dealt with a salvage title before, but I'll definitely find out on Monday morning when talking to the DMV.

Unfortunately I don't have a driveway to park it in...
I'm supposed to meet with the current owner again tomorrow afternoon. I think I can straighten the hood and whatever else I can avoid replacing and repaint those areas myself. I'll definitely need to get a grille, a bumper, the headlight and and other parts around it on the right side of the truck, and very likely other stuff too.
I know this could be an excellent deal for me if I can figure out how to go about it in a reasonable way. The fact that I have no place other than the street to park it in, might kill this deal for me.... Let's see. I'll definitely figure it out/find out after talking to the DMV on Monday morning.

 

Not the most legal thing but I've heard of guys buying titles and vin plates from non salvage trucks. There are quite a few guys who have dismantled non salvage trucks to build crew cabs, myself included.

You need to talk to your insurance company, some do not carry salvage trucks....so I've read.

 

Truck with salvage title was sold this morning before I got there.

 

Have been waiting for a 4x4 manual in my price range to no avail.
My girl will soon be in town and for a few months...it would be great to have a truck with shell to go camping, and to have it NOW...
So, 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...)

 

I think you'd be better of saying the heck with it and buying a true cummins 4x4...but with an AUTO...and then convert to a manual down the road.

This D250 will have a 3300lb front end, which means when you go to convert to a diesel you will have to replace basically every part in the front end. The gasser NV4500 is not compatible with a cummins. And the rear end and springs will be way to light for a cummins....so they will need replacing as well.

I really don't think, financially, this is a good idea. You will spend way more in time, effort, and money to convert this truck. I would say bite the bullet, load up your line of credit, or take out a auto finance loan, and get yourself a good truck off E-bay or some other place. Then you have the truck you want "NOW" and you can worry about paying it off over the next 5 years...as your enjoying it.

Just my 2 cents....

 

Like I posted on TDR wait for the right truck and get what you want unless you really want to take on a project by building a crewcab they can be fun but at same time a Royal pain .

 

Thanks guys for the input, I'm holding out, will wait for the right deal....

 

What do you guys think of this deal? I'm posting it because, though initially very appealing and quite local to me, I don't think I'm gonna take advantage of it....maybe someone here wants it.......but I'd be very interested to know what you guys think of it.

Craigslist ads NOT allowed on DTR

it's 92 Dodge W250 4WD Cummins, manual transmission (the Holy Grail!) with a bunch of stuff added and improvements made for only $5,000. Was ready to jump on it, then talked to owner, now not so sure... Main negative is that truck has 300K miles, or more precisely, odo stopped working at 300K miles. There are a few electrical problems, right door hinge needs to be fixed, AC leaks and needs fixing.

Price seems to be very firm at $5K.

Let me know what you think...

 

If the guy was dumb enough to run a K&n filter I wouldn't touch it what else is wrong with the truck you will never know till you look at it in Person .

 

Looks pretty good to me

 

I see at least one missing lug nut. And I bet the frequency and cost of repairs is beginning to outway the actual value of the truck. But a Kelderman rear suspension, and a Gearvendor OD is worth almost the asking price.

I'd take a chance on it for $5K

 

Could you expand a bit on why it is a bad thing to run a K&N filter on a cummins? That's something I know nothing about and would like to learn... Thanks.

 

My apologies.....I did not know.

I'll just post the truck's description, minus all contact references, for those who feel like making a comment on it. I hope this is alright...if not, please delete this post and I will never make a reference to craigslist items again.

"1992 W250 LE. Cummins, new high pressure pump/50 hp injectors, KN, Gear Vendor overdrive ($3,000 now), Kelderman 2 stage rear air suspension ($1300 now), recently rebuilt 5 speed, new BFG 33x12.50 16.5, alum centerline rims. tekonsha prododigy brake controller. 300,000 mi. Second owner(14 yrs). Never in mud or water. Rarely in 4wd. Newer clutch"

 

K&N Air Filter's are Junk they let way to much dust and dirt past into the turbo .and dust n dirt will Destroy the Motor . For a Gas Motor they may not be bad but for a Diesel that is the Worst thing to can put on a dodge Diesel .
if you want a first gen to flow more Air cut 4 -2 in holes in the front of the air box and you will be fine .

 

If you look at a turbo inlet on a truck that runs a oil soaked cotton element air filter, you will see a lot of dust and dirt caked in and around the housing. Now look at the same area on a truck with a paper element filter, it will be almost perfectly clean.

In some cases new truck warranties will be voided if they are found to have a K&N, or similar type filter.