I have an opportunity to buy a 1993 d250 auto with 147,000 miles. It has been sitting for the last couple years so it has a nice layer of slime. the owner says he starts it every few months and that it fires right up. This would be my first 1st gen so i know little about them. He is asking $1500 for it.

First off is this a good deal? What should I look for? It is a west coast vehicle so there is only surface rust, no rot. There is some damage to the front end (grill and bumper) but no damage to engine or frame.

Thanks for any help.

 

If that truck was a V8 gasoline type truck in your part of the country would it bring $500? If YES, then it's probably worth it. If not, then adjust accordingly.

Also looks like there may be terminal roof rust starting which would require a cab clip or cab replacement. It will need a bumper, fender, fender side marker lamp assembly, replacement grille, grille inserts, parking light assembly, lower grille valance panel, and possibly a hood in the minimum repair. Figure an additional $300-500 in used parts + your time if you can find them locally.

 

It is a cummins but I am not sure what auto trans it has. I believe they offered a 3-speed and 4-speed. Is there any way to tell by looking at the transmission without getting into the truck and driving it? I have access to the outside of the truck but will not be able to drive it for at least a week.

 

That truck sure is ugly as sin, but if it's in good mechanical condition I still think it's a good deal for $1500. I would give the engine and drivetrain a real close inspection though. If something doesn't look right, walk away.

 

As soon as I saw the truck I knew it had to be the Willamette Valley. I haven't had to deal with that slime for 7 years now. I don't know much about the auto trannies but if you run the vin at the parts counter at the Dodge dealership they should be able to tell you everything about it. The good thing for that country is that there are quite a few places that will have some used body parts. Light Truck Parts in PDX and that (I forget the name) yard out by Aurora on Hwy 26, and Foster Auto Parts. I would price everything out ahead of time and the try to talk the guy down. Obviously he hasn't worked very hard to sell it. He hasn't even cleaned it up.

 

It's for sure a 4 speed A-518 trans. no other auto trans was offered in 1993.....the 3spd was only 89-91 non i/c

That is for sure an ugly truck but looks like it needs some front end parts and a paint job and it'd be solid as a rock.

also, check the sticker on the front underside of the hood for the gear ratio and if it's limited slip...this can also be identified by the metal tag hanging off the diff. cover.

Theres $1500 sitting there in parts, I'd try to get him down though

 

I stopped by an old friends place yesterday and took a look at his $1800 93 4WD Cummins dodge truck. I lifted up the hood and the tag gave the spark plug gap. Turns out the hood and front end and cab roof was from a gasoline truck. Don't believe everything you read under the hood!

 

Yep hence the reason i said about the tag hanging off the diff.

 

Not to often you see a truck with the factory exh tail pipe on it. At least hear in the rust belt. I agree with Boyle, there is that mutch in parts there. Its an LE. I would try to offer a lower price though

 

I will check at foster auto and a couple others to see if I can find any parts. Ya if you let anything sit too long around here it gets a nice layer of slime. nothing a good cleaning won't fix.


I will be sure and check the tag on the diff. So they just offered a limited slip and open diff?

Thanks for all the help. If everything checks out mechanically I hope to pick it up by the end of the week.

My plans are to bring this truck back to it's former glory. New paint replace anything thats broken or damaged and...............

 

Yea it will say 3.54LS if its Limited slip.

Open rear will just say 3.54..

I highly doubt it has 4.10's, that would be the first d250 auto i've ever seen with 4.10's

 

So where on the rear diff is the tag? Looking at the rear cover there is stamped writing but nothing that says 3.54ls or otherwise. The ground is pretty wet around the truck so I didn't want to crawl around with out knowing what to look for.

 

On the left hand side of the rear cover under 2 of the cover bolts there should be a metal tag that say sit.

They are usually the same color as the diff. cover and can blend in real good...

 

that is so true. The cab and chassis I got from Featherman(thanks so much) I had to cut the factory exhaust off of.

Stay tuned for a revamp of Moose.

 

Thanks I will check it out tomorrow