ok, i'll try to be as brief as possible-in my first (and only) post, i was looking for advice on what to watch out for on a '94 4x4. sadly, on my way from my new home in nashville back to my original home in new york to see the truck, my only trading card, the '91 w-150, spilled its auto tranny on 81 north in VA...sold it to the tow guy for 200 bucks cause i don't have 2200 dollars to put into a 1200 dollar plow truck. sooo, all the sudden i may have a job opportunity where i have to be on the road for several months and i'm thinking now a good investment for 5-7 thousand would be a seasoned 2x4 first gen. my question is, would that be my best bet? i can wrench and have some cummins experience-i would plan to go through the whole truck before departing no matter what vintage. all of my miles would be unloaded and i think the $$$ i'm willing to spend would probably buy a cleaner 2x4 than 4x4--guess that got longer than i thought--thanks for your time and suggestions!
-greg

 

Other than the normal stuff you'd check on any used truck, not much. Be concerned about any oil leaks above the crank on the front of the engine, could be a dropped KDP. Also check for wet carpet and rusty floors. I agree that 2wd would be better if you don't absolutely need 4wd. 2wd is cheaper to buy and maintain, and you get better mileage, too.

 

thanks wannadiesel. i figure i'll get the most for my money (if i shop carefully) looking at a 2wd 1st gen. I'm thinking around $6000 is fair for mileage between 150 and 200,000 miles--is this close? I watch a lot of online calssifieds, but i'm learning not to trust them so much when it comes to accurate price...btw-rusty floor?! i had to reinstate my 89 blazer when the w-150 died...that blazer hasn't had a floor since '92!!! (lived it's whole life in binghamton, ny)
thanks again for the reply
g

 

When you say 1st gen, are you thinking of the same body style as your W-150? You should be able to find a decent 2wd 1st gen for $5000 or a little less. Mine cost me $4600 a year ago. '94 and up are 2nd gen, and $6k is not out of line for a decent '94 2wd.

 

wannadiesel,

This may be a stupid question, but if I don't ask I'll never know...What is a KDP???
I am looking at a 2001 that has oil on the front of the engine...I thought it might be blow by...

 

dieselballz,

as i understand it, the kdp (killer dowel pin) is a pin in the front of the block to help locate the timing cover on the motor--i'm sure i'll be corrected if my facts aren't together! :> apparently, this little pin has a habit of working loose and falling in and amongst the gears behind the cover---wreaking havoc in the process. The kdp is standard equipment all the way to '02, i think.
g

 

That about covers it, but I've never heard of it happening to a truck newer than '00. Look for oil starting high up on the engine, but not as high as the valve cover. In other words, too high to be the crank seal, and too low to be the valve cover.

 

G1625S,

I saw a pretty decent '92 D250 CTD Auto with 255K on the clock for under $4500 at a dealer in the Ft. Worth, TX area yesterday. PM me for a phone number if you're interested.

 

for 6k you can take my 93 dodge ctd auto 2x4 power everything ex seats with 180k over the road miles down the road so I can get my 4x4 auto 94 0r 95 CTD.
DM01
red rocket