Just wanted to run this by ya'll. I have come across a 1993 dodge 1ton crew cab 4x4 dually with a 12v cummins. It is a original owner truck. The truck has a auto transmission and 156,000 miles. The guy is asking $3,500. I think this is a great buy. The paint and body is in fair conditon. Just a few spots where the paint is flaking off. The truck has been sitting for 8 months. I heard the truck run and it sounded good. However, there was a little bit of white smoke coming from the exhaust.

Now for the bad. The owner wouldn't let me test drive the truck because their was a popping noise from the drivers front area. He told me it was a axle U-joint. I put the truck in gear and drove it back and fourth. I for sure wouldn't buy the truck without driving it down the road.

What do ya'll think? Anything else I shoud look for? Thanks!

 

Could just be the spring mounts popping, there may be some missalignement in the front end that could be causing the shackles to bind. Other than that, I would buy it if I had the $.

 

Number 1 if it's a 93 its a swap truck if it's a crewcab

 

i have a feeling he means club cab.

all i can say is fix that flaky paint if you do purchase it. those will be holes before you know it.

 

Yes. Club cab is correct. I'm going back to look at it again tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to test drive it down the street. If the trans. shifts well and the only source of the popping noise is the axle u-joint, I'll probably purchase it.

I have always been in favor of having a manual transmission, but having read alot of bad things about getrags I think I'll be happy with an auto in a 1st gen. Also, I didn't look to see if had overdrive. Is there a better automatic 1st gen trans?

Thanks for ya'll response.

 

For 3500.00, I would buy it if it starts.

 

I'd buy it for that.

The automatics just have bad uneficient torque converters, thats what you wont like about the auto. But your right getrags do have their issues as well.

Nothing some money can't cure though.

 

If you unlock the hubs then nothing up front will turn. If he still refuses the test drive after you suggest that I would be leary.

 

Even if you unlock hub's the axle will still turn but just slower

 

Thanks for all the advice. If I get to drive it tomorrow, I'll let ya'll know how it turned out. Hopefully all goes well.

 

if the frame is good, the motor sounds good, the tranny goes thru all the gears while stopped and the t-case lever moves thru all places as it should it is well worth 3500.00, now, can you afford anymore for repair if it needs? I would say it is either some bushing ball joint or tie rod (not a real big deal) or something internal in the front end (still not to bad).

 

The axle SHOULDNT turn. If it is, that usually means the torrington bearings in the hub/rotor (whatever you call it) need to be replaced. PITA unless you have a slide hammer with a bearing puller.

Im with these guys, 3500 is cheap. Im one of those people that likes to buy things cheap and rebuild everything so i know its new tho...

 

Thats right. I think its called a spindle bearing kit. Maybe the grease in the hubs will be thick enough to very slightly move the axles but not much. If there is any binding the axle sure won't turn.

 

I just looked at the same thing except a 5 speed, 3 owner, 130K. He wanted $5, went down to $4 but it had some rust issues and I had cash issues so he still has it. Sounds like the one you're looking at is in better shape cept for the mystery noise.
Could be many things but won't know till you drive it. U-joints, springs, bearings, tie rod ends, cowl cracks, etc, etc???
Those are lite miles (if correct) so any problem would be from a wreck, lack of maintenance or faulty part - or even from sitting to long too.
As for the auto, some swap in a '94 or newer model with lockup, some just build up the 518 (better TC, valve body, etc). That one should have OD on it but no lockup.
Good luck & let us know.

 

Well folks...it looks like I'll be a 1st gen. owner by the end of the week. The truck drove and shifted fine. I did a real good inspection of the truck today. All the fluids looked great.

As for the axle. I took a pry bar and moved the axle quite a bit. It was obvious that the axle u-joint was in bad shape. However, when I slightly applied the brakes the noise totally went away. I guess the resistance of the brakes helped to straighten the shaft..or something???

I live in Tennessee and will need to go though emissions. I have read and heard the the older 12v mechanical pumps cause a little haze of white smoke. Do ya'll think I'll have an issue getting the truck tagged?

Again...thanks for ya'll help and input.