Well...I had a 3rd gen and loved it. But the ex-wife took it from me.

And now being on my own again I was going to look for a 2nd gen BUT for what I would get I don't want to part with that much $$.

So I have decided a 1st gen would be a great ruck for my budget and needs.

I am a manual trans guy but know very lttle on the getrags. AND I am thinking of going automatic as I have a guy local who can build me a STOUT auto for a very reasonable price.

SO I guess I'm looking for suggestions on years, trannies, and problems I need to look for.
Also...I have heard the '92-'94 injection pumps (obviously the 94 isn't 1st gen) are somewhat problematic...as well as expensive to repair/replace. How true is this.

And of course lift pumps...it seems all cummins dodges have lift pump issues. So what can be done with this.

 

Well I definately recommend the manual trans unless ur going to get an automatic built up. And check the rear end gear ratio. I have a 3.54 and get about 22 or 23mpg running 70mph streadily. I have a buddy that has a 4.10 or somethin close to that and gets about 18mpg. And he cant do much over 75mph with the auto trans. That might be a governor issue too though?
My 1990 has given no problems except for a trans awhile back, but I would never part with a 5-speed in the early years. Unless I was going to the track of course! Good luck finding a first gen in good condition. And when you do, check the ball joints and the whole front end for anything loose and needing replaced. I rebuilt the whole front end of mine at about 300,000 miles. It was costly but well worth it. Find a good one and it will last you forever. GO FIRST GENS!

 

im no authority on anything on these boards, but i do not recall reading anything that suggests the 89-93 VE injection pump to be particularly problematic. i dont think any of the injection pumps are cheap to replace. i think a VE will set you back somwhere in the neighborhood of $1000-something dollars.


i have however, read much dismay from later model owners dreading the death of their VP-44 pump, which apperently is a pretty normal occurence?

anyway, someone who knows what they are talking about should speak up soon enough.


either way, first gens are the shiznit!

 

Nah, our injection pumps are good for lotsa miles.

They're mechanical, rotary, fuel-lubricated... Variable timing, capable of free tuning up to 300 horsepower in some situations.

The Getrag tranny is also very reliable... Not the tightest tranny, but it's internals are good for power. The automatics are 727's and 518's; the internals on both of those are very stout as well. (Stouter than anything available today, just not as many gears.) The torque convertors that came stock are just 50% lock up, though, so they all need to be replaced...


A first gen with money in modifications will dollar for dollar beat a second gen until you start going over, what, 400 horsepower? Ah, too many variables to say that... But first gens look better, that's a non-objective statement if there ever was one.

Get a first generation CTD. You'll be happy.

 

theres a couple realy nice first gens in our classifid s right now that I'd lvoe to have....
My fav thing about my first gen is, being a mechanicaly impaired person, its fairly easy to work on.
I compared the engine compartments of the 3rd and 2nd gens to mine at our get-to gether in Springfield a couple weeks ago.... I wouldnt want to try and find anythign in there, let alone work on it.....

 

The first gen engine is the easiest engine to work on that I have ever seen. The only trucks with easier-to-access engines say Peterbilt and Mack on the side of them.

Compare the first gen engine compartment to the Duramax engine compartment. You can drop 5 gallons of water onto the Duramax and not get the ground wet.

 

So the getrag is not a 'bad' tranny? I realize MANY trucks are out there with them...I am just not familiar with them at all...and would like to stick with a manual trans if possible.

 

Can't comment on longevity or reliability, but I sure like mine: shifts nicely and has a good ol' fashioned granny 1st. Just read in Tech Threads: add 1 add'l qt of oil to Getrag for much increased longevity. Also, check the steering box mounting bracket & the frame where it mounts: my bracket is cracked for sure, don't know about the frame because I can't see it that well. Just got my truck a couple weeks ago-- like it so far.
- Chris

 

Well, each transmission has it's own issues. The NV4500 has the problem of the 5th gear nut. The Getrag doesn't have that problem but needs to be overfilled to live a long life. It's also not nearly as quiet as the NV4500. Many 1st gen owners have changed to the NV4500 but there are quite a few 1st gens that put out SIGNIFICANT power that still use the Getrag.

Lift pump problems are basically a 2nd/3rd gen problem. The 1st gen uses a mechanical lift pump on the side of the motor.

The 2nd gen had the "advantage" of the P7100 pump and the NV4500 transmission but was harder to work on and had lift pump and 5th gear nut problems. You can either pick which set of problems you want to deal with or you can build your own custom truck and pick the best of everything. Depends on how much work you want to do. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

 

I have good news for you - 1st gens have no lift pump issues beacause the lift pump is mechanical.

As others have said, the Getrag is a better transmission than its reputation suggests. They tend to be noisy, and the 2-3 gear spacing is too wide, but they will hold plenty of power if you play nice.

If you want to drag race, get the built auto.

The injection pumps are not fragile, and they are very easy to mess with. Compared to a VP44, they are economical to replace.

You can have a 1st gen that makes more power than your old 3rd gen for under $1,000 in parts - and the stock clutch will hod it.