It's the nicest auto I've ever drove. I tried an GM with Allison and I like the Mercedes better. It seems 5th nd 6th are both overdrive. Being able to shift down manually of course is nice when hauling a big load of cattle or horses. Since I took all the junk off it is one nice tow vehicle. No problems yet, but only has 25k.

 

I have owned every generation of the cummins (except 6.7) 93,96,01, and an 06. The best starting truck by far is my 93. Truck has 208K miles on it and fires right up almost instantly. Besides that, i could never daily drive that truck up here because the road are soooo bad. It would be like riding a bull. I plow with it and it does a great job. The heat will force you out of the cab. It is easy to work on.
I think my favorite truck out of them all has been my 96. It was easy to work on to and i liked tinkering with the different mods you can do to it. The ride of the 96 was nice cause it was an ext cab long box. Didnt have any front end issues with it either. The only sucky part about the 96 was that the truck would take forever to warm up and heat was always warm at best. From my expeirence seemed like alot of p pumped 12vs had poor heat for some reason. My 01 i liked to, but the front end left alot to be desired. I rebuilt the front end on it and also had to replace the IP. Besides that it was a great truck.
My 06 rides the best out of all of them, but does not start as easy as my 93. The seats in the 06 suck and make my leg go numb. The 3rd gens seem easy to work on and have the ability to make great power with little effort.
I will always be keeping my eye out for a p pump 12v and will add that to the fleet one of these days when the right one comes along. I dont know why but 94-98s are my favorite even though they are not the latest and greatest for technology.

 

Here's my thought, I own all three gens.
1st gen, very reliable, starts right up no matter how cold or hot. has some heavy rear spring and tows ok, brakes are decent, but nothing comparedt to the 3rd gen. By far the easiest to work on as far as engine compartment room, easiest fuel filter change of all three.

2nd gen, also very reliable truck. definitely the most comfy of all of them, like the interior layout the most of all of them. Rides ok due to the xcab longbed configuration and airbags. seem to drive it the most of all of the trucks. Heat is not the best on really cold days. a/c is good.

3rd gen, very capable work truck, heat is as good as the 1st gen, ac is ok. Brakes are very good, tows well, not as responsive power wise as the 2nd gen. but it is bone stock. Could use one more gear on the highway. it only has 21k on it so time will tell if it is a good truck. so far, so good.interior layout leaves room for improvement, early 3rd gens have better seats in my opinion. Not my favorite of the three, but don't hate it enough to get rid of it.

If your going to upgrade to 2nd gen go with 94-98 12v trucks, you won't be disappointed.

 

Hard to compare a '89 2wd 5sp to a '96 4x4, auto. I like them, both. They're very different. My favorite depends on my mood at that moment.
The '89 could use a cab and bed transplant. The suspension and even the brakes are OK. The drivetrain is still great and fires up instantly with a single battery.
The '96 even being a 4x4 rides smoother.It really needs a tighter converter. But, boy they lost something in the steering department with those things. It seems strange how Dodge went backwards in that department. I know I can replace this, up grade that, etc. And after it's all done it may steer as good as a stock 1st gen. But, beyond that, there's that P-pump to consider. Like everything, there's good and bad points to them all. Bottom line is they're both keepers!

 

My first gen is my baby. Had it since new. Extremely reliable, simple, easy to work on, it just keeps on going. Great mileage. Cheap to run.

Second gen 02.. very reliable, much more comfort and ease of driving. Love the brakes. More room for the kids. Mileage is still good, (18-20). Easy to work on, but not as easy as the first gen.

Biggest difference that see is this: The 93, get in it, use it, put it to work. It won't ever complain. The 02 same thing, You just have to talk nice to it once in a while.

I strongly recommend keeping the first gen. I will never let mine go.

 

06 is nice to go on long hauls with, seats suck... But rides good... And the room in the mega is awesome..

nothin beatis cruisin around in the 92.. Looks cool and easy to work on... "So simple a caveman could do it..lol"

My gramps has an 02 and the seats are real cumfy, but the motor is so freakin lound... they are all awesome trucks and anyone who has one or has had one will most likely tell the same story...

Quick story, the guy I bought my 92 dump truck from bought it new and when he sold it to me upgraded "OR at least he thought so at the time" to a duramax dump 3yd... Has had nothing but problems and everytime I see him he asks how the old girl is.. Needless to say he misses the crap out of it... I just keep telling him, it's hurtin' but still workin..lol