I am ready to purchase another 1st Gen, a '93 4 X 4 auto with power everything, truck rack, newly rebuilt tranny w/ a $1000.00 Torque Converter upgrade, new steering box along with a spare, Big off road tires w/ the cool looking rims (along w/ a whole other set used for the winter months comes w/ the purchase). The truck has only 124,000 original miles and the exterior is the blue color of that year, and is in alot better shape than you would expect for a '93. I love my 2 X 4, but I also love to go hunting up in the mountains, and a 2 X....you know where I'm going w/ this!
The only thing that is holding me back is that it is a single cab, while mine is a club cab. My mileage is only at 122,000, so I am the same there. My truck is very clean, so I am the same there. All my goodies seen on my sig could all be easily be transferred over in one weekend, so that is a good thing. I could easily get top dollar for my D250 and finally have a good 4 X, but I am having problems parting w/ the CC in the 2 X 4. Transferring all the 4 X 4 components to convert mine is out of the question...it is not a financially smart move because the 4 X 4 is far from being a donor. I guess what I'm asking all of you is this:
You D250 guys w/ the CC, would you swap over to a 4 X 4 single cab?
And...Would you W250 guys w/ the single cab body ever consider trading in for the comforts and x-tra space of a CC, but have it in a 2 X 4? I know it all boils down to personal preference, but maybe someone out here on this site would put out more pros and cons that I overlooked, or share in the "shoulda, woulda, coulda" thing.
Some of you might be thinking why not keep both? Yeah, If I tightened up my belt I guess I could...but realistically, one of the 2 will sit for most of the time. So, from a financial stand point, shelling out the $$$'s for a truck to sit doen't sit too good with the wifey, and I totally understand. So, how 'bout it, guys?

 

I think a lot of the decision rests on how much more use you can get out of 4 wheel drive? It opens up whole new worlds of adventure. On the down side there's the added cpmplexity of repairs and maintenance on 4X4's, and slightly less mileage. I finally got used to my '90 W-350 so I don't feel cramped and if I was keeping it [I'm not] I'd do a nice shell with a shelf right behind the sliding window, next best thing to a CC!

If at all possible I'd keep both trucks as the price of 1st Gens is going up, not down. You can always do a PNO [Planned Non-Op] or at least drop the insurance on one that you're not using. That way if the 4X just isn't liveable you can turn around and sell it and jump back into your old ride and call it good. Cake and eat it too....

 

IMHO you may find that if you do decide to go thru with this "swap" you will hit a brick wall at some point making you wish you never started to do the swap it'll cost more $$ than planned too... Besides hunting with a truck means - no more nice truck!!! unless you don't mind scratches all down the sides and a dirty/muddy undercarriage lol. My vote is spend some time finding a nice 1974-1980 (thick sheetmetal 1st gens that are smog exempt) w300 or even w100 or w200 and use THAT as your camping/hunting vehicle and for dump runs. those 360 v-8s or 440's are gas guzzlers but tried and true and you can get parts for them anywhere. PLUS for the $$ you would spend swapping everything over and headache you can have a whole other truck for cheap! I've seen a bunch on craigslist and they all had sound drivetrains!!! You will be able to keep your plush 2x4 commuter and YOU KNOW what has been done to it and what condition it is in! That peace of mind is worth a lot. I think your truck was/is one of the nicest around and you have really taken good care of it. JMHO
take it easy bud...


here are some trucks I found that you will be interested in:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/197625517.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/196714907.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/197923146.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/196536301.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/196412927.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/197468082.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/196291816.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/196269151.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/198497388.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/196928187.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/196322032.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/198045000.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/198454963.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/197668946.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/196911216.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/197509844.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/196271842.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/196377866.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/193836821.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/190021674.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/189153145.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/189153145.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/187949175.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/193293904.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/196164475.html

 

You all think like I do as far as value. It really does pay/help to know your 1st Gens.
Hey Pape! How you doin'? You still in contact w/ Loco 1 and Rebal? We need to party...KDP party, that is!
Hey, guys, keep the advise coming in. I appreciate the 2 previous.

 

I like my cc for a number of reasons,lot's of room to store stuff like (in my case)extra clothes for getting caught in the rain at work,all of my maps and paper work,and some of my very expensive tools I like to lock inside the cab.Plus I have 2 little ones and the mrs.,I'd agree with papecat and get a beater for hunting.good luck unclemarc.

 

How about some comments on the 4 X 4 owners??!!

 

they're bumpy, miserable beasts I spend more time thinking about ways to bag all 4 corners than I do how to SPIN all 4 corners...and that just aint' right! I do enjoy sitting up high, and my truck is far from nice, so scratches and dents don't REALLY bother me. For the two times I put my hubs in last winter, I'm seriously considering selling and putting the $$ into a nicer CC d-2/350.

 

My 4wd is a 91 so there was no option for the extened cab...but i woulnt give up the 4wd for a extened cab,no way!!

I have a nice camper shell one mine and it keeps all my valueables nice and dry!!

If i still had young kid i might have to re think it. ......still wouldn't give up the 4wd!!

 

Well it is sounding like a 50/50 decision w/ all the responses so far. I tend to like JimmieD's. But will the wife...???

 

I realize that you're financial situation might only allow one 1st gen but if you can, buy the 4x4 and keep both. These trucks are getting harder and harder to find in good condition. In fact I found a 93 D250 in *mint* shape. The thing was stored for the winter and only used during the warmer months. There was 2 problems I had with the truck: 1) They wanted $14000obo (CAD) 2) Its a 2wd

My truck is no where near mint but it serves as a daily driver/hunting rig/sledding&quadding rig for me and it does its job very well. Its nice having roughly 1000lbs or so over your front axle for traction . Trust me the 4x4 is nice to have, especially going up some questionable roads. I'd say, buy it and should an equally as nice 1st gen 4x4 ext cab come along, buy it and sell the reg cab 4x4 to me for a DTR special member price .

 

i love my 91 4x4 extended cab, but it's far from the way they came. plently of rooms for the kiddies (when we have them). and i agree my 2wd is HORRIBLE off the road. infact i wouldn't be surprised if it got stuck on wet pavement.... it HAS gotten stuck on wet grass. the 4x4 with limited slip dif in the rear can go places the 2wd wouldn't dream even before i lock in the front. if you can afford it i would keep both, although all i have are Club cab or larger.

 

Yeah, this 4 X 4 is one notch below "mint" for a '93. The bed has the usual gravel/firewood scratches, the seats have a few small tears and the cassette player is missing the flip cover. The engine is clean (all areas of the injector pump is still solid black paint w/o tool markings, so the pump is still wearing the chastity belt!) front and rear bumpers are original and untouched, the body still has the original blue of that year with no signs of paint flake, and the dash/arm rests/interior mouldings/steering wheel are solid and uncracked. Everything electrical from the power side mirrors to the cargo lights are intact and working. My sales pitches to my wife in an effort to convince her we need this truck:
1. We need a 4 x in case of the occational 4" of snow once a year that lasts for 2 days.
2. Our boy turns 16 in 7 years and he is going to need something..what better than a 1st Gen CTD?! Honey, imagine him bonding w/ me on our 1st hunting trip together where he's driving...
3. My 1st Gen 2 X 4 may need parts one day....parts are getting scarce for these trucks. What? You don't want a junker sitting around here on jacks? No worry, after I've taken what I need and pulled the engine, I'll do E-Bay for the rest. I may break even w/ the sale of the parts alone!
4. Just think, in a couple of years when the truck is long paid off, you'll be thanking me for being so thrifty!!
5. Aren't you glad I'm looking at something I can work on and service by myself? Just think of all the money I'm saving US by not taking it to the dealer!

Well, these are my selling points, guys. I'm sure I could come up w/ more.Any more original ones?

 

tell her she can have the 2wd.... worked on my wife

 

Honestly, I'd probably keep the 2wd CC and buy a cheap Toyota 4x4 for hunting. Then you've got the best of both worlds.

Chass
ct

 

Yeah or a blown 440 6" lift mud dobber w300 srw 4sp lol