I have been searching for a 1st gen Cummins since forever. I finally found one I couldn't refuse. It's an 89 with as far as I can tell is just about to turn 45,000. No seriously 45,000 there is no way you could tell me it's any more than that. You'd have to see it and here the history as I heard it from the 3rd registered owner. The second registered owner is the owner of the dealership that sold it to the o riginal owner. The 3rd owner used it when needed as a spare vehicle. It was only getting 19. 5 mpg's when I got it, but I've been reading this forum for about a month before the purchase. So I had the opportunity to tow a car to Reading, Pa. once I got the car on the trailer. I thrashed it. Went up against some big rigs in W.V. through the hills. They could only get me on the downhills, I kicked butt up'em. Now I get 20.485 mps. It is the best truck I've ever had! Also to note I am a serious Mopar man. Been around them all my life, as I lived right off Woodward ave just west of Detroit, Mi as a kid. So I am very confident that I know a 45,000 orig. mi. vehicle when I see one. My concerns at this point, the original owner was a large man. He used this truck as a personal air conditioner. I am a slim man at 6' tall 185 lbs. I don't fit very well in the rather large butt print this man left in the seat. The truck runs like nothing I've ever driven. I really just have to spank those shiny new F-150's. I can't resist! But the front end creaks, clunks and chunks. I think it may need new ball joints. Any in put on this would be great. I love this Cummins/Dodge! Great site, I'll spend some time here that's for sure. My name is Dave, I live 20 miles west of Atlanta. I drive tractor trailers to earn my keep, but I don't haul freight. I am a speacialist at what I do. Looks like IRL for me this year.

 

not far from me, I'll keep an eye out for a 1st gen tearing up the road

 

Sounds like you got a great truck. I can't comment much, however, this week I may have a chance at a 1st gen Dodge diesel too. Co-worker of my son-in-law got a new truck and has quite using his old Dodge. All I know so far is that it is, "...a 1980's Cummins and the color is brown." If it is offered to me it probably will be at a reasonable price. Trouble is, I've never owned a diesel and have no idea how to evaluate the truck. I need something to haul a lot of our belongings across the Washington state Cascade Mountains throughout this coming Spring. (Moving to more rural area). So I figure if I can get a decent older diesel, that's mechanically sound, it will pay off in the end.

I'd like to hear why you have been looking for just an older Dodge diesel???? And how you evaluate them. I am accustomed to checking out mechanics on gas rigs, just new to Dodge and diesels.

I just need to learn about the 1st gen Dodge stuff.

Good luck,
Dennis

 

The main reason I wanted a first gen, and the earlier the better. Dodge/Cummins were out to change the light truck indutry. Collectively, they over engineered the first gens. They did have their problems no doubt, as far as I know the problems where with standard truck issues. Pretty much any decent mechanic should be able to keep one of these on the road as they learned about a deisel. The 1st gens pull real hard and have excellent economy. I didn't finish my statement in my intro. I was getting a flat 19.2+ mpg. Hooked on a car and trailer, then proceeded to thrash it up against a couple of big rigs. I can only go 78 mph, so they would get me on the down hill. I'd fly past them on the up. The end result is, now I'm getting 20.582 mpg's. In a 3/4 ton truck! What can I say? And while I had the car and trailer on and thrashing it, I still got 18+ mpg's. Oh yeah, the first gen's are mostly mechanical. 2nd and 3rd's evolve to become more electronical. Also, look at my login, if it's not tried and true, it's not for me. And at this point I'll have to say I am very impressed with the 1st gen Dodge/Cummins. At 45,000 it seems to have a couple of front end issues. I'll be replaceing the strut rod bushings soon. Also new bearings, this kind of stuff I can do, perhaps upper control arm bushings and ball joints. It'll be a step by step process with me so I can see where it is failing. Good luck on your possible purchase, if you do it you'll enjoy it. Oh, one thing I should mention. It's become a tougher choice than I thought it would. Do I take the CTD, or the Porsche? Each are fun in their way. The extreme handling of the Porsche, or the brut strength of the Cummins? Tougher than you'd think. All in all, I liked the engineering that went into th first gen's.

 

hey dave, if you want to turn that truck into a porche eater look up Jeff Garmin(Diesel Performance motorsports), or Preston Thomas(Turbo's Custom Trucks) they both have shops right next to each other in McDonough and can make that truck do anything you want. If you get there at the right time you'll see either Jeff or Preston on the dyno with their 11 second drag trucks.

I rode in a project truck last weekend that left a 50 yard rolling burnout with ease