If it were me I'd get that truck back home and rebuild/replace that engine. Especially with yours being the 4x4 version. But that's just me. I love these old 1st gen trucks.

 

Thanks for the feedback on 3rd gen maintenance costs. Are 2nd gens the same?

I do love these first gens too, and the truck is a good truck. I still have faith in it, I realize the only thing that went wrong is the stupid water pump. When cold it has a little grind going into 3rd, I think that syncro is a bit tired, and I think the front brake rotors are a little warped, and it could use new tires and shocks. If I didn't have the camper and want to go on a road trip next week with it, I would just ship the truck back to Seattle and catch a flight or a ride myself.

However, I don't really know how to get the camper back. Has anyone tried to have a truck camper shipped? Anybody with a longbed pick up could do it, but I don't know how to find that person or how much they would charge. I do have a place I could store it here in bozeman, fix the truck and come back for it but that's a lot of time and miles.

I think if I felt like the 3/4 ton was the right tool for carrying this camper I'd be more inclined to invest the money in it. But I'm over the GVW (only by 750lb, but still) and from what I've heard a dually is a lot more stable with a tall camper like mine.

I don't feel that the first gen is an unsafe vehicle with fresh steering and brakes, but the new trucks do have bigger brakes, airbags, and abs. Probably also some crumple zones, maybe better rollover protection. The bigger deal though might be a 1 ton dually just handling the tall center of mass on the camper much more capably - rollover is probably the most likely dangerous accident for this rig.

 

I have shipped 2 cars, 1 to London and 1 to Paris. Both times the cars were picked up by car haulers that could put that thing up on top, with the only problem being that you would have to drive it on, obviously you can't do that. One thing I have learned from people here in Mexico is that you never know what will happen if you ask. Try finding a guy in Montana with a flat bed wrecker and see if he wants to go on a road trip, you never know. I know how you feel about the truck, it really isn't worth much as it is and you probably won't recoup all your money if you fix it. The thing is, is that if you fix it right, it can run another half million miles, which would certainly recoup your investment. I think it best to think of these trucks (especially 1st gens) as collectible/classic vehicles that are actually appreciating in value now. If you sell it, you will see a long line of people wanting it, good luck...Mark

 

Just a quick thought, how would buying a decent, but not newer 3/4 ton or 1 ton gasser to throw the camper on and finish your trip be? Then you could ship your diesel home and fix it at your leisure, you would then sell the gasser to recoup most of your investment.

Just a thought.

 

You said that you could store the camper in Bozeman. Do that.
Ship your truck home, re-power it, now you have a road trip to Bozeman running empty to get all the quirks out of the re-fitted 1st Gen.

Just a thought also ......

 

This is what I would do. Yes it's a few miles to Montana and back to Seattle....but not too bad. You could do it in a day, with an early start....and a late night.

 

Second gens are close to thirds in crappy front end parts. Also seem to eat front brakes as well, Engine wise third gens are most expensive $ 375 a injector adds up quick.

 

Try u ship or a flat bed trucker at the truck stop outside of Bozeman a lift truck can put your truck on the flat bed and the camper afterward
Or Try Penske rental five tons
are cheep camper inside braced on lumber truck on tow dolly behind total cost for one way rental under 1000.00

 

Ps many truck drivers may let you ride back as well fifty up front fifty at end they hate dead ending so the price may be quite reasonable to Seattle

 

If feasible, I second this!!

If you lived in Michigan like me, granted it's a longer drive, but a rust free vehicle from Montana would make you money!

Good luck in whatever you decide! I sorry to hear about your troubles and hopefully this will turn around into something good for you.

Merry Christmas

 

Installed so as to sound an alarm/light or to shut down the motor?

I put a temperature sensor in the oil port above the oil filter to monitor oil temps (hey, I had an empty temp gauge so why not?). If the coolant temp sensor failed to read high temps due to coolant lose, the oil temp gauge would then show the motor getting hot though right? Would this be in enough time to save the motor?

Cascadefirstgen, you have an update? I'm thinking optimistically - what if the last time you started it the solenoid hung and that's what made it run rough before it quit? Have you dropped the starter yet?

Are you still stuck there? I guess if you are you at least have the camper to hang out in right?

 

If the water pumped failed that is bad news... especially with a trailer. Why not get the truck to a local shop and have them fix it? Or better yet order a 12V off ebay and replace the engine, then you'll have two good things in your hands

Since it's a standard try pushing the truck in neutral and if it gets going pop it in first. Don't let off the clutch hard.. if the engine is seized it will put your face to the window. Any smoked or odd things coming out the tail pipe during the rough idle?

I would run after market gauges... coolant and oil pressure and EGT.

 

I'm still here, fortunately i have a place to stay at (not just the camper). I would probably fix the first gen except I really need a one ton for this camper, and plan to go dually. If I am not keeping the first gen long term it's not really economical to fix the truck myself without a shop here, I either have to pay labor or shipping (inop) on the truck.

Current plan is to find a place to store the first gen and camper and come back later with the title to the first gen and the new truck.

I haven't dropped the starter; I probably should, but the aluminum looking sparklies in the oil filter have me pretty convinced that the starter is not the issue.

Andy

 

Another option to consider. Look into renting a one ton dually, transfer your camper onto it and rent a car trailer to put your truck on and head for home.
Del

 

Yea, the sprinkles don't sound very good, especially considering it's newish oil. Bummer.