What exactly is the 1st gen that everybody wants?

Is it extended cab dually with a 5spd???

Just curious, I'm in the market and I want to buy the right one

Thanks, Trevor

 

It's the '93.

All '93s came with the 1 ton frames. Had intercoolers and all the other final improvements, like overdrive, etc.

Or you could just move on to a second gen 12 valve.

 

There is no "best" 1st Gen, that everyone wants. Just look for what you want, not what others do.

Personally, I wanted a '91.5, regular cab, 2wd, 5spd, dually. I had to settle for an auto, but I'm fine with that. Most guys don't want a 2wd or a dually, but that won't stop me from buying what I want.

 

I'd like a 91.5-93 single cab 4x4 5-speed dually

215hp P-pumped. NV5600. rear disc dana 80. selectable lockers front and rear. 2nd gen 40-20-40 seat. Compound turbos. 5inch exhaust. alcoa 19.5s. crossover steering with ram assist. 35spline outers. Airride rear. HHHHMMM what else? Haha

 

^^^ sounds like a good truck to me. i've got the nv5600 already. i've got a long way to go

 

Definely the one everyone is after is a 92-93 Club Cab 4x4 w/5 speed... Even an auto one.. Its just so hard to find a clean club cab 4x4 .

My personal favorite is a 91.5 W250 4x4 5spd ... No power windows...no a/c....rubber mat and 3.54 gears...i'll find it one day.

 

I would think a 93. It should have had all the improvements that was to be had for a 1st gen.. But then again you ask a loaded question--the answer you will get is the same is if you ask what color is best. Find a club cab if that's what you want, a 4x4 if that's your choice, a single wheel or dually whatever your choice is. Then go look it over and under. Watch for rust in the floor boards and underneath the floorboards. Look at the rocker panels outside and underneath for rust. Check out the steering box area closely for cracks. These ole trucks with an automatic trans has alot less performance to give just because the torque convertors were not very good and the autos suck up alot of power-my opinion a 5sp is best but thats just me. Find a clean rust free southern truck.

 

They have been turning up cheap enough that you might be able to buy more than one in different configurations. It seems every time I buy one the opposite of what I want is what everyone is selling. I finally have two that i really want to keep forever, and if I could add a couple more in time. Go with what suits you, although when it comes to clubcabs they aren't very purposeful beyond holding junk behind the front seats. They really aren't practical for people. Some go for the look of it, but it does make the truck longer to navigate.Good luck in your search.

 

I always though a Club Cab D250 5spd was pretty cool too... lower it... shave the doors/tailgate... the "old man special" with a radical touch

 

the truck i'd like someday would have to be a 93 1 ton srw std cab 5spd 4x4 with 4:10's, 2nd would be a 2wd std cab dually 5spd. but we all know everyone wants an 85 crew ctd conversion...

 

I agree go for what you think will best serve you. I wanted a club cab 5speed 4x4 with options, but I ended up with a single 5speed 4x4 with no options. I got it because I am friends with the original owner, and I have the entire history, every documented mile, but thats important to me.

Good Luck and enjoy the search

 

Depends on what you want it for. I'd kinda like a non-intercooled D250 with a 727 for a dragstrip play toy.

The intercooled trucks have better radiators along with the intercooler. You also get OD on the auto trans trucks. The fuel lines give less trouble but the more complex PCM can cause more trouble than the old "brain box" on the non-intercooled trucks. You can also get a club cab.

A lot of guys like the '91.5 trucks because they are intercooled but the voltage regulator is not integrated into the PCM.

 

much like rollingcoalsmoke said- buy a southern truck from like Tennessee for example because 9 times out of 10 the underneath is mint, no rott and little rust!

imo i would definately get a 5 speed!

 

1st gen autos seem pretty disappointing, and I will second the point made earlier: extended cabs are only good for stuff, not people, and they are harder to navigate. My reg cab has a terrible turning radius, now add what, 18"-24"? I will admit there are days where i wish i had one though. gotta put all my luggage in totes because my stacks burn through bags, etc.

 

I would say late 80's 4 door crew cab with a '92 or '92 drivetrain