In the case of the 4X4, because I know nothing about the 2WDs, the only real problem that I see is the brakes. Other than that, it is stout, bomb proof, like I said...Mark

 

2 wheelers had bad front ends the bjs and other stuff wears out really fast

 

Speaking of old vs. new and reliability, the pull cable shutdown makes all my friends with newer trucks amazed and confuses all at the same time. They cant comprehend the fact of it still running with the ignition off and no battery. I tried to explain to them how it runs using timing and no electronics but they look at me like a herd of cattle . I install a pull cable on all of mine because it eliminates a bunch of potential problems. With that set up it will run no matter what as long as it has fuel and a way to turn it over. Lets see a newer one do all that.

 

well said, a true diesel...

 

Yep the new ones are alright but these oldies are where its at even with the rough ride lots of cab noise peeling paint and butt ugly to most we think they are the best always have always will!

 

My father bought mine in dec.03 only let us down twice. once a ball joint broke,then the water pump. Pretty reliable for 9yrs. I think.

 

Bought 91 D350 auto over a year ago , love this old truck. Gets 23 mpg will do anything I need it to do! Only money I spent is lift pump.Drove 200 miles to get it run 75 -80 all the way home.Driven some of all makes, always had best luck with old Dodges!!! Mine was at 137,000 put about 12k more on it. Probably could have sold 2 dozen times in that year. My answer NOT FOR SALE! Great truck I'll drive it till it dies or maybe my son will!

 

The only major problem mine's ever given me was the head gasket in Aug. '09. That was 2 years after I gained possession of the truck in Dec. '07 and nearly 20 of service (Mfg. in Dec. '89). Had the injectors rebuilt at the same time and it was a good idea doing so since 4 of the 6 didn't even atomize the fuel. The passenger side, upper ball joint gave up the ghost in Jan. '10. Didn't take any chances with any of the others so I rebuilt the front suspension. Aside from the general preventative maintenance with occasional upgraded replacement part, almost everything since has only been the diesel bug biting harder and harder leaving me with the urge for more. All of which haven't given me a single bit of trouble except for the approximately $12K I've got in it .

Shoot, my injection pump is still original. ::Knock, knock::

 

None of my trucks have ever left me on the side of the road. And all the stuff I have had to fix was because of the owner, not the truck.
Head gasket (55 lbs cold= my fault)
Transmission was me not checking the fluid when I knew I had a leak I was to lazy to fix plus the leak was my fault for leaving the mount loose.
Clutch, well that was just plain abuse from me.
pinion was me
But even with all of those things it still limped home for me, not very far but did it.

 

I've owned my 1990 W350 (with single rear wheels), for exactly 20 years now.(300000+miles) This truck has required a tow truck once, while still under warranty, due to a faulty fuel shut-off solenoid. It still has the original running gear, including the exhaust system. I don't consider wear items, (gaskets, seals u-joints, rotors, etc), as an indicator of reliability. Its performing as it was intended and doing so with out breaking down, that is: sitting in a repair shop, that proves dependability. Any vehicle/ machine will wear with use, and will need to have parts replaced. But what parts? I recently was speaking to an auto parts jockey, who said their late model Chevy Avalanche, has had 3 trannys so far. Dependable?

My truck has been used as an every day work truck, and is still being used for that purpose. As far as I'm concearned, given the fuel economy, the hauling capacity, towing ability, and overall dependability, not to mention simplicity of design, there is not a better truck on the planet. If you can find a better one-buy it.
.02

 

Just started my 13th year in NY.

7 more to go and I'm off like a prom dress............

Congrats.

 

I custom ordered and bought my heap in the latter part of '93 and actually took possession of in '94. It's got about 245,000 miles on it at this point. Perhaps 220,000 of that is stock/OEM family driving. During that time, outside of the normal consumables (brake pads, hoses, etc), I've replaced the water-pump, the TPS, the flex-plate, the fan-blade (and the radiator ), the steering-box mounting plate, the belt-tensioner, the rear ring & pinion gears, and the OEM turbo. The alternator is still git'in it.
Over the last 25,000 miles (right at five years now), I started turning the fuel up and, in addition to regular driving, have beat the ever-loving snot out of it at the drag-strip. The FSS chipped early into it. Everything else I flat busted at the track. Other than the trans (it was worn out), any parts I've replaced since were to make room for some hot-rod stuff. Certainly, a few of the parts removed were showing their age. Here and there, I've replaced all the universal joints and wheel-bearings (including races) as a predictive-maintenance thing.

It's been a VERY good truck all things considered.

 

If I would have left mine stock it wouln't have cost me much. We figured it out though and even with all of the broken parts due to, ahem, "happy" driving, I still have WAY less money in this truck than I would have in a new, generic one. Plus getting a new one does not exempt anyone from issues. Warranty or not, you are walking if a new truck quits. I can take the battery out and drive just fine as long as I park on a hill to roll start it!
1st Gen trucks are setup for survival!

 

Well, after reading all the comments, which I appreciate, I've come to the conclusion that nothing I've done is out of the ordinary. It just all seem to happen one after another. I'm on top of everything, for now, so maybe I'm caught up on the breakage for awhile. Super trucks when everything is working right. I just don't like the idea of being a slave to my vehicles. Again, thanks for the comments and insite to these unique vehicles. Most of you have owned them far longer that I have (like BC847 for example).
Bill