I have the exact 1st Gen I want, just not the desired transmission. If I ever find a parts truck, or the components that are needed in good condition, then I'll swap the auto out for a 5 speed in a heart beat.

 

What isn't to believe about the frame issue?

The fact is that Chrysler was replacing Trucks on warranty in 1989/1990 based on frame breakage issues and it prompted them to make the frame bigger to correct that problem. No, not every frame broke but it is most definitely an issue.

 

Just thinking about it makes me sad... the same frame that is on our 90 D150 gasser w/3.9v6.... is the same frame under our 91 D250 CUMMINS....lol

Gasser frame + diesel = bad

 

Where were the frames breaking, though? If they were bending or breaking closer to the bed because people were overloading them then I wouldn't necessarily call that the truck's fault. If they were twisting due to the torque then that's another matter.

 

Around the steering box. Probably because of torque and the weight of the front-end

 

i mean i dont worry about the hole frame issue because one ive never seen one break and two i have a welder, ive seen more second gens break the frames than first gens, the tally is up to 4, i realy trying to say i dont belive in worring about buy a truck with a small frame.

 

Aw heck, a friend's '72 3/4 ton camper special 2wd that was parked after the tranny was messed up at 40,000 miles had cracks in the front near the steering, and it was a 400ci big block truck. They appear to have had a moderate weakness up there that is just endemic to the chassis. He ended up fixing his with some reinforcing brackets while he had the front completely disassembled.

I wouldn't blame sticking a Cummins on the frame as the cause. If anything, overly-powerful power steering might be at least somewhat to blame.

 

yeah thats me.

 

The issues that some have with the automatics allowed me to score this rig for super cheap. Its an auto and the sales guy SWORE up and down that the "turbo" was bad. He said over and over...."man it wont get out of its own way". He kinda felt bad about selling it to me thinking it was broke.....

Heres one to gutless stock autos......WOOHOO!!

BTW just my .02, 92-93 ext cab, 5 speed 4x4 OR single cab 4x4 dually 5 speed

 

If you try hard enough you can break the larger frame too. I broke my '93 up front by the steering box. Overloaded 4x4ing through almost 2 feet of snow over frozen cow crap.

 

a lot of guys i know are after the 12 valve CTD just cuz they are so easy to boost up. most popular choices are the 3/4t 4x4 club cabs with the 5 speed. i lucked out last year and found a 92 clubber with 53,000kms, but it had the auto tranny with o/d. i wasnt going to pass it up tho!. truth of the matter is you gotta find something YOU like and have the means to support it.
the down side is that the 1st gens aftermarket parts are getting tough to track down. i've found most of what i've been looking for, but it still takes patience and good connections. good luck!

 

dang that looks like a nice truck, and i LOVE that bumper. Any names on it??? The auto trucks run OK with a few tweaks...without a converter or anything.

but thats funny the salesman actually thought it was broke it was so slow, probably not even getting full throttle travel right.

 

Didn't we discuss the frame thing? My SRW one tons frame is bigger then my friends 3/4 ton (same year 91.0)

 

Makes perfect sense, Thats exactly what ive seen

a 91.0 W350 SRW next to a 91.0 W250 and they were differnt...