Wow got a little heated there guys.

Thanks for the information. This truck has the stalk controls. The only major cosmetic differences I see on the 89 are the gauges and seat stitching look a little different and the stereo doesn't have a tape player other then that it looks pretty much the same.

So as far as the frame goes will 89-93 be the same?

As for performance I have an HX35, 4" exhaust, HTT manifold and gauges that I will be putting on the truck.

How hot are you talking about. My 93 with an auto, hx35 and pump turned up maxes out at 1100 with a load. How hot do the non intercooled trucks get?

Thanks again.

This is the 89.

 

I have had the '90 non IC model, and a '91 and '93 IC models. I don't think the frame is as heavy on the '89's. Research the history on that. But the IC models both had far superior pulling capacity. All 5spds and 3:55's. I remember the rear ends being heavier on the '91 and '93 too. But the '93 was 4x4. Don't know if that made any difference. I did have to change the turbo on the '90 later on to get any good power out of it. For the heavy loads you are looking at I'd go with the '93. The ;89 looks nice though, But I had a 10k fiver the '90 would not handle at all. T^hat's why I went to the '91 and later to the ;93 for the 4x4.

 

All rears were dana 70's. And actually the early ones had a 35 spline axle compared to the later ones having a 32 spline. The non cooled trucks had better power in stock form and with a intercooler, turbo upgrade the non cooled truck can get 300 horses easy on stock fuel system. I would go with the 89 as it has less electronics, mechanical cable driven speedo ect. The frame will depend on if its a cab and chassis, or pickup model.

 

I have that red interior too, can't decide whether I hate it or love it

 

I hear ya sortie mines the same color. Ummmm I have yet to buy a pyro for mine but I know I gotta be care full climbing mountains with mine or it will go to the 3rd mark seems to stay there but still to hot for my taste but yes I'd say buy the 89 and put a second gen or P/S cooler in it.

K so let me get this straight the 89's a have cable driven speedo and different gauges eh interesting must be a change over in 90 or something?

 

I suspect that the 1993 will have a larger frame. The later 92/93 trucks W/D/250/350 had an 8" tall frame. Those were new to 92. Before that the largest frame was a 7". I suspect that the '89 might have the 7" but most likely the wimpy 6" tall frame. Especially since it is only a regular cab. The early gasser club and crews sometimes had a 7" frame.

 

I suspect the same. I know for sure my '90, built in '89 by the way, had a lighter frame than the '91. And I know because I wanted to move the flat bed I had built from the '90 to the '91 but it sat taller so my camper window did not line up the same.I went measuring them and found the difference in frames. Wound up building a new bed for the '91.

 

If your going to be pulling trailers GS, FW, BH, i would go for the one in the best condition and least miles like Richie said, plus if the outside of the 89 looks as nice as the inside that is the one i would go for.

you can always put on a set of airbags if you needed some extra suspension.

Dar

 

I just pulled back a car on a heavy flat deck...probably 7500lbs, with my crewcab. It's got a stock 89 motor and NV4500 and 3.54's. I was pulling some 11% grades and it got hot! I was probably over 1200* + at the manifold pulling in 4th. I down shifted to 3rd and brought my speed down to about 35-40 mph, but kept the RPM's at about 2000 and it settled out to about 1000-1100* at the manifold.

I'd go 89. As stated no ecm to worry about, they do cause some problems sometimes. And you can easily add an intercooler to get the best of both worlds.

 

Yeah as far as towing goes, I have an Non I/C 1991.0 Motor in my '72 Crew with a Banks intercooler and an HE351 Turbo. It loves towing anything (within GCW) behind it at WOT in 4th up any grade. It stomped my buddy's 91.5 up I 5 out of redding and his had a similar load. EGT doesn't get above 1150.

 

Yup, I would do the 89. The pic is nice. Look at the seat, pedals, floormat. That whole picture says low use. That means alot in my book.

 

Is there no ECM control of the grid heaters on the early trucks? I had to have my ECU rebuilt over the winter when that functionality died.

 

I think I will go for the 89. Is 6K a reasonable price for the truck. I would like to get it lower but I don't know how much they will budge.

Here are some more photos.

 

wow that is clean! I've been tracking 1st gens on ebay for awhile now as I'm thinking of selling mine. I've seen quite a few W250 5spds get bid up $7-11k. Even the 2wds fair pretty well. These trucks are holding value, and that one looks stellar in the pics you've posted. You won't find 2nd gen that clean for less than twice the money.
Only negative to is IMO is the regular cab dually configuration is less desirable, would be great if it was a club cab. I would definitely haggle with him, but $6k looks like it buys a lot of truck there.

 

Just walk around it and point out stuff you see that will take away from the value. I see the trim is missing the black inserts, and the lower grill valence is bent. Just say things like that and ask questions like, how did that get bent? Is there any more damage? stuff like that. See what they will talk down. In the pics it seems well cared for, and not abused. Also make sure the tamper caps are on the pump. A stock truck is worth more then a tuned truck any day of the week. I could have all 3 of my trucks burned to the ground in an hour, but in stock form they can run flat out 24/7.