Hey everyone, I've convinced the old lady to let me buy a new truck...so I'm in the market for a 1st gen. I'm looking for a drw 4x4 5speed truck (unsuccessful to find any within 500 miles of me so far)

Anyways, my question is: what things should I be looking for so I dont get hosed on a completely worn out 1st gen? Are there any specific places that I should check for rust?

 

above the windshield on the front edge of the cap gutter is a bad place for rust to start. It's hard to fix too

Cab mounts and floors as well.

 

Rust ?


Have you searched this site yet ?




Drivers floor, under carpet

Passenger side above windshield, as Mr. Brandon has said

Rocker panels

Cab Mounts

Frame, behind fuel tank

Spring perches

EVERYWHERE !

 

The DRW 350 4x4 5 speed trucks (especially with the extra cab) are an almost IMPOSSIBLE to find combination. I always keep my eyes open for 1st gens in all the usual places like truck trader, craigslist etc. I was looking daily for about 6 months before I bought mine. It was an odd fluke though. It was the ONLY one in the 4x4 drw 5speed extra cab configuration that came up during that time. Since I bought it 5 months ago there have been NONE for sale in that configuration within 500 miles of me.
When I bought it, there were 7 other prospective buyers waiting to buy it. A couple callers were going to buy it sight unseen if I passed on it based on the ad info and photos. One person offered the owner $500 over the full asking price to hold it while he flew out from 2 states away the next day. The owner had a sense of ethics and said no, first come first serve and I was the first one to call on it. I called 15 minutes after the ad posted. I really don't mean to discourage anyone on getting this truck configuration. Just be prepared for a long haul to find one in this configuration. Good luck and I will post it up for you if I see one!

 

I flew out to Seattle Washington from Ohio for mine. My 93 go too rusty but ran great sold it to a kid who had big plans for it for 2 grand. The 2500 miles was well worth a rust free truck. A couple of years later in Ohio, the rust is coming on strong and needs to be dealt with good luck.

 

man you guys would love mine. I took my bedliner out the other day and the only mark on my bed was where it touched. Under my cab and bed isn't even hardly dirty

 

I got my last Dodge 2500 from CA because here in WI they love to rust. Air fare + Fuel + Fun Drive $900
= one very clean truck.

 

Best place to find a great Rust free truck is West coat Craig's list is loaded with them

 

add to the list oil leaks[these can range from minor to you dont change the oil,just fill it] ,brakes [they can out an out suck] wiring [not a biggie just something to remember] however with what iv just said these you need to look for BUT they arent a dealbreaker i think everybodys had these issues..enjoy your truck hunt and welcome

 

well i found a truck..its not 4x4, but ive got an 03 1500, and 2 jeeps with 4x4 so its no big deal. Driving down to Florida next week to pick it up, then come back and put it in the paint booth and repaint it. Then leveling kit and stacks. Thanks for all the replies

 

If it hasn't been said: WIRING and ELECTRICAL.
What makes me want to run is scotch locks(folding blade type taps) in dash wiring, along with higher load (brake controller) devices tapped into stock 14 gauge wiring.

Mark.

 

theres one here in east tx check craigslist east tx dodge