Here is a list of what it needs to the best of my knowledge
It needs 4 front ball joints, brakes need some help the front passenger side one has something wrong with it forget what was quoted 1000$ to fix it and the back ones are seeping, one of my u joints is gone or my tranny is almost done my overdrive doesn't like to kick in. I think the power steering box is starting to leak on me and I aint sure but I might have some burnt valves I am 18 and I can only afford to throw 1500-2000$ its way so can I fix the problems it has for that amount of money? I know there are a few dumb questions in there but please bear with me

 

Being a 1st gen truck, you probably have kingpins for ball joints. I'm not a first gen expert.

You can just buy new u-joints for the front axle and the driveshafts. Buy the cheap stuff for now. A press would be the sweet deal for the driveshafts.

I would service the transmission and see what you find inside the pan. After that you could check to see how much transmission line pressure you have for each gear. Easiest way to findout if you have bad clutches. OD could just be an electrical issue.

You have a leaking steering gear box or power steering gearbox pump?

You should be able to do most of the repairs yourself and be under your budget. Just stop taking the truck to various garages, most of them just see tons of maintaince when the truck really doesn't need the work. Thats what got me into doing my own work. I don't trust anyone with my trucks.

 

Are you able to do the work yourself? If so thene the front end work and brakes are just a lot of grunt and knuckle busting work. The tranny however will need to be looked at by someone that knows what they are doing.

 

I don't trust most guys with my trucks either but thing is I don't want to tear it apart and then realize I9 am gonna have more than a couple problems putting it back together

 

It's pretty straight forward mechanics, get yourself a service manual for it too, it will pay for itself the first time you use it. I believe you can find them on line for the first gens still.

 

Okay thanks again guys Ill try though I sure as heck hope I don't fail

 

DJ - Between the folks in the Alberta chapter and the folks in the first gen forum, you will do just fine. Especially when it comes to mechanical stuff that just takes parts and sweat equity.

 

A 2wd long box ext cab is not that desirable a configuration.

Before fixing up the 2wd suspension & 2wd trans/drivetrain, have you considered finding a beat up 1st Gen donor truck to convert yours to 4WD?

 

Nope, D=2wd=ball joints. The 4wd=kingpins.

 

I know of a couple 90 dodge gasser 3/4's one with 170,000 on the od and the other with 270,000 the one with more kilometers on it has a 4 speed manual and the other a auto which would be the 3 speed I am guessing

 

gasser tend to have lighter Axles and tranys are weaker . I will send you some links once i get back to my Home computer
Also you have to be careful some Gas jobs have smaller frames even the 2500 /3500 gas trucks

 

Thanks man and on second thought I know of a goldmine near me a guy owns a place called for auto and he has like 20 of the old 1st gens sitting out there in different states of repair so I could get a 4x4 frame with the running gear which might need some replacing but its a place to start

 

I just figured everyone drives a 4wd truck, my oversite.

 

Hey, hey! Some of us like 2wd!!


After 5800+ posts, we'll let you get away with 1 error!!

 

Man this would be an awesome sleeper truck, might be able to beat on some fancy sports cars fairly decently and regularly. Neat project, post some pics buddy.