Things to Look For?
04-08-2003, 11:27 PM
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Things to Look For?
Hi All First Time Posting.<br><br>Anyways, i'm going to look at a few First Gen Cummins tomorrow and i was wondering of a few things i should be looking for. I'm not sure on the year because my Auto Teacher told me where they are and i'm going up tomorrow to take a look (will take pics)<br><br>Thanks.
04-09-2003, 02:14 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
Look at it with a careful eye. Look down the sides to see if it has been bent. Check to see how it starts. Does it smoke a lot at idle? how is the steering ? Does the transfer case and 4x4 work? Is it all oily under it? Are there any puddles? Does the A/C work? How does it sound? This last one is if you have ever heard a good/bad running Cummins. Is it stock? Is it aftercooled? How does it pull under load? What color is it? How's the glass? Does all the electric stuff work? How does the tranny shift?<br> And first and formost,,, take it for a drive!!<br><br> Hope it checks out<br><br> Dave
04-09-2003, 08:00 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
Well To tell you the truth i'm new to cummins and i dont really know what a bad Cummins Sounds like, but i'll be sure to take alot of pics (dont know if i'll be able to hear them run today i'm just running up to look at them) and get further advice with the pics.<br><br>Thanks
04-09-2003, 09:22 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
hey...if someone is growin them in a field somewhere and they are all grouped together please share.....i am sure that many of us would like to appreciate a group of 1st gens ...especially if they are for sale!! 
04-09-2003, 11:20 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
I know a guy that wants to sell his 93 CTD 5spd 1ton 4x4 black/grey with power everything with 107k. Only problem he wants 12k for it. 
Great truck but........... 12k :
<br>DM01
Great truck but........... 12k :<br>DM01
04-09-2003, 04:27 PM
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Re:Things to Look For?
Sloppy steering from the joint above the gear box is common. Wiggle the steering wheel (while running) to see if anything below the gearbox is loose. Correction for the loose joint is a Borgensen replacement shaft. Works great but a little spendy, around $200 if I remember right.<br><br>Check parking brake cables. When tight, the metal splitter (two cables into one) in front of the drivers side wheel should be vertical. Much of a slant to this indicates mis-adjusted and so mis-worn brakes on the rear. Shouldn't stop you from buying the rig, just realize you might have a brake job to do.
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04-09-2003, 11:27 PM
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Re:Things to Look For?
Well, Apparently my Auto Teacher Lied to me, went up there and where he told me they were there were none, :'( i did however find a 1991 3/4 ton Cummins with 184,000 miles on it, thing is there asking 7,000 for it but he said he could Nego, has the Auto Tranny 4x4 and a gooseneck Trailer hitch along with a rear trailer hitch, alittle body oxidation on the hood but other then that its pretty clean, Pics are at www.xmission.com/~rwarren/Diesel.html
04-10-2003, 07:54 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
wow...those are some upclose and personal pics!!cant really see the whole truck with those pics.....ps...mayb they were just grazing further down in the pasture! 
04-10-2003, 12:02 PM
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Re:Things to Look For?
Once again Sorry about the pics my Dig Camera likes to reset to its biggest size ;D And this was the only 1st Gen i could find, spend about 3-4 hours up there looking and found this one. The brakes on it are strange, you'll press down on them and have pressure then it'll loose pressure but almost when the pedal hits the ground it'll get pressure again and stop the vehicle.
04-11-2003, 12:10 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
Ok so i dont know if i'll be able to get that 91 but i got a quick question for you guys, in my search for 1st Gens should i include 89? or was it not a very good year since it was the first year the cummins was offered? just wondering because i knwo that some engines were worth a crap the first year they came out.
04-11-2003, 08:12 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
these motors existed b4 they went into dodges, so don't worry about that. 89 and 90s are not intercooled, are the older body style, have the old steering column and dash, use the smaller radiator, older alt, old hard to use lockout hubs, and 3 spd autos. Not bad trucks by any means, but I personally would not pay the same amt of $ for one of them that I would for a 91-93
04-11-2003, 06:05 PM
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Re:Things to Look For?
Thank you, I know that some motors exist before they went into dodges just usually the first production year they have a few bugs to work out, but seeing as i dont really want to loose my OD from my previous rig that and i like the big chrome grills of the 91-93's thats what i'll look for.
04-12-2003, 09:53 AM
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Re:Things to Look For?
8)Hey Weg I'm new to Ram CTD, got my Ram 1/2/03. I did intese-online and personal interview homework for more than four months. I got lucky by finding a '93 LE auto, reg-cab at a used car/truck dealer where I had driving a few 2nd gen trucks. I did not want to spend up to 10,000 for a Cummins, got mine for $5200 with 152,000 that appeared fairly well maintained (date writtten on oil fiter, grease off of nipples etc.). I continued a nation wide search using AUTO TRADER to see what was out there, read alot of the Dodge Diesel web pages, I learned alot. Take your time, I think you'll find the best truck that fits your needs. I get 17-21mpg on a stock truck, a daily driver. I intend to pull a 20'-24' 5th-wheel in a couple of years. This truck will do it. If you have any specific questions, email Bluebird.<br>Keep hunting, it will be worth the game capture! Patrick.