I'm going to look at a 90 standard cab 4x4 auto for $4000 with 94,000 miles. My questions are what kind of mileage can I expect, what kind of problems are inherent to 1st gens, and is this a good deal. It's a california truck so no rust but it does have a dent in the bed. Other than that the truck looks to be in excellent shape. It will be for my son as I have a 3rd gen.

 

$4k sounds like an excellent price for that rig, provided it is mechanically sound, been well cared for, etc. But at the end of the day it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

Mileage depend on several factors, trans, gears, and of course last but not least, the right foot.

Biggest problem with the early 1st gens (pre-91.5) I've heard about are head cracks around the injectors. Relatively rare, but it's there. Maybe only seen in turned up (bomb'd) trucks.

Other lesser issues are cowl cracks, steering mount cracks, roof rust, and other annoying more or less easily fixed problems. Goes with the territory on a 16 year old truck.

Of course they ride like haywagons, but oh well. I suppose that is part and parcel of the 1st gen allure.

But the good thing is that truck may have a healthy Cummins that is barely broken in!

 

That will be a great truck. Very simple, not trouble prone at all. The only drawback is the 3 speed auto, but that'll keep the boy from speeding.

 

I'm going to look at it in the morning. It has a Banks intercooler and Banks exhaust( 3"). The guy owns a 95 also but is currently disabled so he needs the cash for the truck. It's currently about $500 below blue book. He claims 20 mpg.

 

It'll do that at 60. At 70 you'll be closer to 18 mpg.

 

If this is the red truck that's on the sac CL, it looks like a very good deal. Looks clean.

Even though the older models don't have as much of a problem with KDPs as later ones, that is the only real problem that I can think of, besides what has been mentioned before.

 

That was the one. My son decided he didn't want to have to pay back that much so we're back to looking at Cherokees under $1500.