First of all, hello to everyone and a bit of info about myself, as this is my first post on this forum.
I'm in the Los Angeles area and I've been searching for a 1st Gen Cummins for a few months now. Of course my first choice would be a 1992-93 W250, 4x4, intercooled, with manual transmission, but I haven't come across many for sale, and when I did they were priced very high. After a few months looking and now eager to get started, I'm more willing to compromise and go for a less costly D250 auto, as my budget for the truck is something like $2K - $4K at this point.
My main reason for getting a truck is for expedition travel. I've wanted a Cummins for years. My girlfriend and I love nature and have dreams of using a 1st Gen Dodge Cummins with a camper shell to explore the beautiful natural surroundings of California and adjacent states.

Here's the deal I'm looking at right now. The only pictures I have, unfortunately, were taken from far away and are out of focus, but you get the general idea. The owner is a friend of an acquaintance of mine, and the truck is located about 500 miles away (so that has to be factored in too).
It is a 1992 D250 Cummins with automatic transmission and 249K miles. Truck has had only two owners and current owner has purchased the truck in 1993 with 16K miles on it.

This is what I was told about the truck:

Negatives:

- Acceleration away from a stop sign is very slow, even with the pedal all the way down (but I think this is typical of all 1st gen Cummins trucks that weren't turned up).

- Some neglected things like shock absorbers, paint on the cab, leaking axle seals at the hubs that require some money to be put into it. Paint on upper sun-bearing surfaces mostly shot and down to primer in many areas. Roof of cab and hood/cowl have surface rust. Two-tone white/blue needs redo.
D70 rear axle will need TLC for either wheel cylinders or outer axle seals (based on seepage on the brake drums, hard to say which).
The truck shows its age for wear and tear and for not living in covered environment.

- Camper shell is old. Several stress cracks in fiberglass and left rear corner broken out near tailgate.

Positives:

- Tires in good condition with a lot of thread left, 265/75-16. LE package...A/C, PW. Has a (worn out) camper shell. It is stock and not hot rodded. Tow package and trailer brakes. Moderate mileage at 249K. Trans had some work at 204K miles in 2004. All gears available with no hesitation to shifting.

- All power accessories work: windows, radio. Has trailer brake unit in cab. All gauges function. Poly bedliner in reasonable condition. Sliding rear window on cab.

What's your take? Would you go for it at $1,800? How much would it cost to repair the problem with the rear axle? And would you drive the truck in that condition to take it home? (500 miles)

It will be my first Dodge and my first truck, so all the advice you can give me will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

Wow, where to start, the thing that scares me is the totally subjective thing about acceleration from a stop. That might be nothing ir it might be something fuel related on a D motor. And that can be hard to chase down or expensive or both. I would think if that is normal for these trucks the truck is worth 1800 since they never sell round here for under 4 grand in that described condition.

 

Around here, it would be likely worth $1800. I don't know how Cali-spec Cummins trucks were, but generally, they were no slouch. However, most of the older rigs were turned up. So you may be looking at a BONE, bone stock Cummins. For $1800, if you've got some extra cash to sink into it, buy it. Once you've got it fixed up, it will be good to you.

Speaking of sinking, since it IS a Cummins and 2WD it will likely suck majorly off road. Cummins Rams are severely nose heavy and sink bad in mud.

 

Yeah I know, but don't plan of doing a lot of off-roading with it...it will be mainly for camping and long distance travel.
My main concern is the rust, which you can see in the pictures is pretty widespread....and also the rear axle damage. It would be great to hear also from others who feel like addressing these two issues, rust and fixing the rear axle... I'll have to let that guy know in the next few days, so to have an idea of how much money it will take to repair the damage would be much helpful. Also, do you think that there is a way to treat the rust on the hood and cabin top so as to be able to paint it with some white rustoleum? That could be an easy solution if feasible. Your input on this would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

That rusting on the hood and roof is pretty common for a silver Dodge that has been out in the sun most of it's life. Dodge had bad silver and white paint during the 90's.

To even see what needs to be done on the rear end you'd need to pull the drums off. If it's leaking wheel cylinders, you'll know it when you pop the lid on the brake fluid. If it's low, I would guess that is what the problem is.

 

Its hard to tell how bad the rust is from those pics. But the rear end thing is only gaskets unless it is also making noises.

 

That looks like just surface just. Sand, prime, paint, done. I think it's a good price, but I don't know if I'd drive it home.

 

one thing I will say about Diesel motors. After owning one and driving it every day for 9 years, All they need is fuel air and compression to run. So basically if they start and run they are fine. However, they can have a fuel problem in the pump timing department, or an air intake problem that leads to a lack of perceived power. When My 1986 Isuzu trooper started to feel not as powwerful as it had been.....which never was much, I began lookig for problems. All I found was the fuel filter and air filter were dirty, changed both and the truck ran as if new. After about 300K miles, the turbo could have stood replacing but I sold it before that.

 

Yep I know, that's an attractive deal if all goes well, but it could also be like opening a whole can of worms if something is wrong with the truck at a deeper level than just surface rust and an easily fixable leak.
My thinking was, get this truck, use it a while and keep waiting for the "right one" (4x4, manual tr. 1st gen Dodge)...

Sniper X, it's really funny that you mentioned your isuzu trooper, because these past few days I was thinking of getting a 2nd gen 4x4 manual tr. isuzu trooper (I noticed there are many for sale at this time in this area)...I could get one around here for around $1K or so and then use it for camping while waiting for the right truck to pop up.

The thing is, my gf is coming soon to town and I'd like to have a vehicle appropriate for camping, expedition travel, etc. We are both ready to take some time off work and enjoy the summer to the fullest... Right now I drive a beautiful 1979 MB 240D, but that won't do for our purposes. So an option would be getting an isuzu trooper, building an easy to make sleeping platform for it, and using that for camping etc. this summer (the 240D will have to go, unfortunately)...and in the meanwhile keeping an eye for the right dodge cummins to show up. With a bit of patience, it eventually will, I think.

By what I've seen, I can get an isuzu in pretty good condition and ready to go right now, as opposed to getting a 1st gen dodge like that one that will need some work to get it ready, and maybe even a lot more work than I care to do at this time on a vehicle that is not what I ultimately want.

By all means, keep your opinions and suggestions pouring...they are very helpful to me at this stage. Thanks guys.

 

I have had three Troopers. Even though I loved the TD version, I like the late 1980s 4cyl gas versions the best. They get better (WAY) than the 6cyl version, and they have as much power. The TD version was GREAT but when it was going to need parts they were going to be a pain to find so that is the only reason I sold it. I had a later one, a 1997 and it was nice but not anywhere as good for off road as the first gens and so BIG. I WILL have another Trooper, and it'll be one of the late 1980s versions.

I highly suggest finding one that has the 2.6l 4 which has 120bhp stock and the V6 has exactly the same HP but 20lb ft more tourque, although that V6 is HEAVY! It weighs almost as much as 2.5 of the 4cyl models so it really muddies up the handling and mileage.

The drive line in the 80s troops is indestructible, and my old TD troop (last time I talked to the guy I sold it to) had 454K miles on it and nothing had been replaced other than brakes and consumables.