I have a 92 w350 regular cab flatbed, auto . I am considering the idea of selling it or trading for a later model. I have no real problems with the truck , in fact I just put new injectors in it. The odometer is not working but i figure it has around 170,000 miles on it. My question is am I better off with this old truck with its relative simplicity than I would be with a later model with better performance?. Financially it makes sense to keep the truck but I am just wondering. thanks

 

Better performance? Haha you need to get tweaking, seriously . If you dont already, then you will learn to love the simplicity of a first gen, the uncluttered engine compartment and simple mechanical engine make it easy to supply 300hp range and also easy to work on. I'd say keep it, second gens have there problems too. And my dad's 05 doesnt get near 20 mpg that a frist gen gets..... keep it dude

 

i also say keep, and so do you.

plus they seam to get better mpgs than there newer counter part even at high miles

 

I doubt anyone here would ever say yes sell it. Iv driven both and i wont swap mine for a 09.

 

Ive thought about getting rid of mine several times and almost have but every time I do I realize I really will miss how reliable it is and the fact that it is paid off. Easy to work on if you don't mind getting greasy. Theres plenty of power to be made out of these trucks.

 

I just looked at a new truck last week. With a sticker of $48,000.

I think I can afford to throw some money into my dually and run it another 10 years or so.

 

Just think of ALL the 'improvements' you could make to a 1st gen for 1/2 that, Philip...

 

1/2 of that amount?

I am thinking around 1/3 would make a killer rig. At least for what I do with one.

 

Yes 45K sticker but no one wants the 6.7 anymore and with diesel prices... Dealers are taking anything above 30K at this point... EVEN that that price I'd still keep my first gen, in fact I'm looking at expanding the stall to a '72 crew cab w200 short bed srw..

 

go for the newer truck, i love these 1st gens as much as anyone else but the newer trucks are super comfy and idk just easier to travel in!

 

Good point, I may consider an '09 after all... or maybe wait till the 2010 non mega/non quad - crew cab

 

If you like to do your own work, keep the 1st gen. The newer trucks are very cramped under the hood.

I sure won't argue about the later model trucks ride nicer, but if performance is the issue you can get your ol' beast running stronger than a newer truck for a lot less money.

 

Keep it as a spare if you can and buy a 3rd gen 5.9 for OTR. Some say that the 06 and up seats are very hard on the back. 03 to 05 are supposed to be more comfy. Used 3rd gens are generally around $20,000 (-/+ 5,000).

I told my wife - I bought my last new truck. Dream truck is a 93 W250 or W350 SRW Single Cab. She said no room in the single cab and I said room for kids and myself.

 

The only I would get out of my truck is if it was totaled out from under me. The real sheet metal in my truck has saved my families life more than once (65 MPH rear end crash while I was stopped) The newer trucks ride a lot nicer but the trucks are all plastic and are not as safe because of it.

Out engines are purely mechanical, supply fuel and as long as you can somehow turn it over it will run.

The newer engines require a host of inputs and a computers to decide if it wants to run or not, heck the throttle pedal isn't even connected to the engine any more but to the computer.

How many of the newer trucks have never had any issues with the ECM that hasn’t required you to take it to the shop and spend money?

I will be interested to see how many 3rd. Gens will still be running when they are 17 years old.

And there are a lot of things you can do to improve your ride, I am working on my next idea now but for a few thousand dollars I know people who will install a complete custom air ride suspension front and rear.

I have a real problem with owing money and I have bought several of my cars NEW but I was just a kid, I now pay cash for everything and if I can’t afford it then I don’t need it.

Also if you bought a new truck it will look just like all of the rest of the new trucks, our older ones have their own character.

Jim

 

I'm 59, and I hope the old 93 outlasts me, because the newer models don't do a thing for me. The only advantage, of the newer models is the ride, and on decent roads, that isn't much of a issue either, and they just don't have the ready for anything look the first gens have.. the best thing of all you can see the cummins when you open the hood, on the first gens.