Why a 1st Gen?

[peobryant]

I'm just curious as to why, and how you guys picked 1st Gens. Did you research before you bought one, or was it all you could afford at the time?

I originally wanted a '97 3500, but they were way to expensive, and across my Autotrader searched, I saw a '93 listed as a '94. I loved the way they looked, and started doing a little research on them. I then came to the conclusion, that I would rather have the older, "boxy" truck than the 2nd gen. I still would like to have a '97 3500 with the 215 pump, but not until my 1st Gen is "finished."

[PToombs]

I was sorta brought up on dodges. My 1st boss always had at least 5-6 of them around. So I know them inside and out. This was my cousins truck, and I liked the looks of it, old style, like the ones I knew. Then I got it with 189k for $1k and drove it for a year. In the meantime I joined TDR, and started the slide down the slippery slope.
I'm a hotrodder from waaaaayyyy back. I bought a brand new motorcycle in '84, drove it to the gas station a 1/4 mile from the dealer and filled it up. I pulled out on the boulevard and whacked it up to 105. Break 'em in like you want 'em to run is my motto!

Anyhoo, I like the 1st gens bestest, but any 12 valver is good.

[MUDDY]

gotta love both kind of 12 valve trucks.

the more time ya spend around a 3rd gen common rail truck, the better a 1st gen truck looks

the kiss principle is part of it

[RumbleFish]

the only trucks ive ever owned have been 81-93 style. ive had 8 so far, working on my 9th and possibly 10th. im a fan of the truck first, and the engine second. i love this body style. cheap and easy, just like i like my women...

[Richie O]

It was the engine for me. I liked the cummins and I was a fan of square trucks.

[soggy]

I had to have a cummins, and they only wanted $4000.......

[Begle1]

It was all I could afford.

I actually splurged on it. Originally I was looking at 6.2, 6.5 and 6.9 liters.

I got a good one.

Here's a couple pictures of what it looked like when I got it for $2,650.

[2wd_sled_puller]

They wanted 400 dollars for the first gen that i got I figured there was something wrong with it so i went and looked at the truck and it was flawless. No body damage perfect condtition just ungly ass in set up. Well needless to say i got a deal on this truck power everything and the ac and radio even work.

[skilletky]

i have always been a big fan of cummins. and one day i was driving down the road and my 99 cavalier i had started to miss. didn't feel like fooling with it so i pulled off the road into a dodge dealer and bought the truck i got now. i like the boxy looking trucks better also. i looked under the hood of the cavalier while the dealer was getting all the paper work together, and found all it needed was a tune up and a fuel filter. sold the car the next day and i have never been happier.

[peobryant]

It was all I could afford.

I actually splurged on it. Originally I was looking at 6.2, 6.5 and 6.9 liters.

I got a good one.

Here's a couple pictures of what it looked like when I got it for $2,650.

Damn, you did get a good deal. I wish I could get that lucky.

Any of you guys own 2nd Gen 12 Valves? My dad and brother both have '97 2500's and I have to say, I do love the P-Pump. But the 1st Gen's look way cooler. My dad's built auto is pretty nice too, makes me want to convert to a 47RH...

Another question. If you could swap a 2nd Gen 12 Valve in, free of cost, would you do it, or would you keep the little VE?

I would keep the VE in my dually, then buy another one to swap the 2nd gen 12 Valve in.

[PToombs]

NFW! Why would you ruin a perfectly good truck?
VE's make dependable cheap horsepower.

[redneckroot]

When I was a kid my dad who had a 72 power wagon moved it to plow duty and ended up buying a 4 door ford diesel so he could haul the family and dodge didn't make a truck in 93 with a diesel and 4 doors. My uncle bought a 93 cummins. In 93 my dads truck was having problems and was in the shop so he had to borrow my uncles, it pulled like a freight train compared to his ford, and I've been in love ever since. I was only 10 at the time but I never forgot it. I bought my 1st, 1st gen 4 years ago ended up having to sell it because I couldn't afford to keep repairing it at the time. Couldn't help myself and bought my 2nd 1st gen last year. I love dodge, love the looks of the first one. But I also like my 05, it makes things a lot nicer to ride in when you have four people. Someday I'll build a 4 door just because I like the way they look.

[KTA]

I have collected mine because they are cheap and easy to work on. Also they were the last real trucks(mine anyways) the ones with vinyl seats and floormats so you can clean the cab out with a power washer. They are also the best starters and runners of the bunch. They get the best fuel mileage because they are so light. They also keep you awake when driving by letting you really FEEL the road.

[Ace]

I've never owned anything but a Mopar/Chrysler product since my first car back in high school. Now starting to wonder if that run's about finished with the way the company's going. I cannot imagine ever buying a Fiat.

[Richie O]

I have a tractor with a 3 cyl fiat diesel motor. She runs like a whipped dog. ( a begle ).