I know a guy that has a 89 w250 reg cab long bed. He had it for sale for a while ($7300). It never sold and he took the for sale sign off of it. I had my eye on it while it was for sale and even more so now because maybe he will take less. The paint looks great, 90,000 original miles, new tires and as close to mint condition as a used truck can be. So the question is, what is a truck like this worth and what (if any) down sides to an 89, vs 90-93?

 

after 91.5 they are intercooled. and the frame on my 93 looks stouter than the 91 i have. not an issue if you are not abbusive.

 

Correct...the rails on pre 91.5 are 8", vs 10" for the newer asI understand. My dad towed the crap out of his 90 with no issues with the frame, and I havent had any either.

 

What do yall think about the price?

 

Start @ 6500 cash?

90k is nice to have on a cummins, so the price he is asking may be about right. Also depends if it is a 4X4.

2-wheel drives are harder to sell, (in my opinion)

 

Its is 4x4. Is it fairly easy to extract a little more power out of the early cummins? Does the killer dowel pin apply to the 1st gen?

 

Yes, the KDP can be an issue for the first gen. As far as power goes, it's not as easy as throwing on a box, but there are a number of easy and free tweeks that will get you to around 230 - 250 HP. Most of these are listed in the sticky at the top of the page. After that it starts to cost some money, but it's not too bad. You could likely be around 300 - 350 HP for under a grand. Also, keep in mind that for whatever reason the first gens seem to make more torque for a given HP level than the later trucks. Also, they are lighter than the later trucks so your HP goes further.

I don't think the price is out of line if the truck is as nice as you describe, a rust free 90K example would get that here in the rust belt.

One thing to watch for that is about the only impossible to repair item on the 1st gen is rust above the windshield. Condensation inside the cab roof rots them from the inside out so if you can see any bubbles along the gutter it should significantly lower the price.

 

I haven't noticed any bubbles. I checked the truck over real good between the 6 or 7 times i've looked at it. No oil leaks, no scratchs, no dents, etc. When should the KDP be addressed and how much trouble to fix?

 

If it's as nice as you say it is, and it's a 5 speed truck it's worth the $7k he's asking.

Power is as easy as turning a few screws.

The kdp is an issue with 1st gens, but not quite as common as with the 2nd gens.

 

Its an automatic. Is that a big deal? I know the manual would be better, but is the auto ok or is it a piece of junk?

 

The auto is OK durability wise, but I'd start at $5k when you talk to him. It's a $6k truck at best. The non-intercooled automatics don't have OD so the gearing is a compromise between pulling power and a decent top speed. They still make a fun play toy though.

 

Thanks for the info. That gives me more to work with. If ya'll come up with anything else i should know before talking to him, let me know.

 

Check the power steering 'box' mounting bracket for cracks! look under the drivers side wheel well. A thread I started a page back has a quick video link.

 

I don't usually like to interject on one man's dream, but it would seem to me that $7300 is really high for an 89. I find them for a lot cheaper than that. Now that being said though, if this thing is immaculate and the truck holds some sort of value to you personally that exceeds what business sense would say is reasonable, then maybe the truck is worth $7300.

 

I realize the price is a little high, but i would still like to get it for as little as i can. With that being said, there is no personal value that makes me feel it is a great price. I was just wondering what trucks in the condition i spoke of are selling for, and anything i shold know about the 1st gen to use as a bargining chip.