Hey all, new to the section but certainly not dodge's or this forum. Looking for a new project truck and still deciding which trucks to narrow it down to. I know I want regular cab long bed 5 speed 4x4... Other than that it can be a 318 or 360. What are the major differences among the different years? Also what are the different axles offered on the trucks 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton? Thanks for the help, and maybe we could organize a thread with all kinds of general info about the 1st gens for a quick reference guide??

 

Alright, so what I believe I've learned so far.

W150 has Chrysler axles 9.25 and 8.25?
W250 had Dana axles 60 and 44?

Rear and front respectively.

Also rumor has it I can find a w250 with a 318 and a 5 speed... How long you think that search would take? :/

 

We sort of already have one https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...formation.html

And my d250 (2wd w250) has a chrysler 9.25. Yes. Its 8-bolt.

Finding a 318 4x4 with a 4-speed is going to be waaaaay easier than finding one with a 5-speed, since they were made for much longer.

 

The big differences are the engines. They went from carburated to TBI to MPI at various points. TBI engines were phased in in 1988, and 1992. Anything before that is carb, and after is MPI. The years 1988, and 1992 could be a mixture depending on which size motor it was.

 

Thanks for the input!! I did check out that thread, some good stuff in there. If I found one with a 4 speed is it worth my while to throw a 5 speed in it? It won't be a daily driver but I will be driving it city and highway

 

From what I hear putting a 5 sp in an older truck with a 4 speed is pretty easy, My 85 w150 has a 360 and a 4 sp and a dana 44 front axle (factory). thinking that they started putting the 5 speeds in in 89 but not totally sure, anyone know for sure?

with a five speed a guy could get awesome gas mileage on the highway

 

For the 91' W150...
NP435 (4speed) was the standard. The NV3500 (5Speed) is a straight forward swap. You could also consider the NV4500 swap as well. The NP435 has its merits ( It has a very low granny gear ).

As beakerztoyz said, the W150 comes with a 9.25 rear and D44 front.

What year range are you interested in?

 

I'm not dead set on a specific year but ideally an 89-93. Any major differences between those years? So the w150 and w250 had a Dana 44 front? The rears were different ? 9.25 and a Dana 60?

 

Yes I believe that is correct. The 44 front is what they mainly came with although I think you can find some 3/4 tons that came with D60/61 up front but depended on year and spec (You are almost certainly not going to encounter the 61). I'll check my service manual once I get home for you to make sure.

Update: Just took a look at my manual and verified; The D44 was standard up front on W150, W250 with the D60 being an optional extra.

Well 89-91 I'd say there are very few differences. New grill in 91'. All use TBI for fuel. 1992 had the introduction of the 318 magnum and 1993 had 360 magnum. These have a much better fuel injection system (& computer) and upgrade potential. I highly recommend the magnum engines over their TBI counterparts if you have the option. Nothing glaringly wrong about the pre-magnums but the computer doesn't really allow for much performance gain outside of exhaust. Drivetrain should be same across the years.

 

Looks like I would like a 92/93 w250 but the w150 doesn't seem much different. I could always throw a Dana 60 in it down the road. Main things would be 318 and manual...