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'92 W250

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brains:
Okay, I haven't been here in awhile. But in a strange turn of events, I purchased a 1992 Dodge W250, and if there's one place that seems to love these old ugly things, it's you guys.

Basically, a few days ago I posted a wanted ad on a local outdoorsmen forum I browse that basically read something along the lines of "Looking for an older Dodge diesel, please contact me if you have one you would be willing to part with". I was essentially just looking to hopefully pick up a not too ragged-out 2nd gen 2wd truck to pull my trailer with, but instead a guy contacts me saying he has a 92 regular cab, long bed, 4wd, 5 speed standard sitting in the bush on the corner of his farm that he would like to get rid of.

So I decided to go check it out. Here's the run down on the old girl.

-The farmer I bought it from purchased it brand new in 1992, and used it to haul cattle. A lot of cattle. Said it pulled like all hell and besides eating u-joints, almost never gave him any issues.
-It has 540,000 km, which is just under 340,000 miles.
-Body is bad, the worst by far being the passenger side bedside.
-Interior is that tan/gold color, and is filled with a generous helping of mouse poop. It is an LE model with power locks and windows, all of which work. A few hard hours with a vacuum, maybe a pressure washer, and a lot of cleaning chemicals may be able to make it decent. Didn't check underneath, but the floor felt pretty solid.
-When I went to look at it, seller claimed he hasn't started it in approximately a year until today. Put a new battery in it, turned the key and she woke right up.
-Engine runs good, but sounds like it could definitely use a timing adjustment. Didn't have much blow-by.
-According to the seller, the rear end, front end, and transfer case are all in good working condition.
-The front suspension was at some point changed to leafs, after he supposedly installed coils that weren't strong enough or something.
-The hood latch cable broke when he unlatched the hood earlier.

Besides the body being about done, the transmission is the main problem. I'm not exactly sure what the issue with it is because he was using some odd-ball terminology, but this is roughly what he told me. Essentially, there's some sort of pin (or maybe it was a fork or a dowel?) that has snapped, and now the truck is supposedly stuck in TWO gears. I don't know left from right when it comes to transmissions, so that has me a bit confused. From what he was telling me, you don't even need to drop the transmission to get at it, as he popped the boot off and was sort of pointing at the problem area. He also said it should be an easy enough fix with a guy who can weld half decently. Once I pick up the truck, I'll look deeper into it and try to figure out exactly what has broken and what will be required to fix it. Other than that, he claimed the transmission is fine.

Anyway, I think that's about it. He said give me $1000 and it's yours. I'll be picking it up this Saturday. No idea what I want to do with it. If the transmission is an easy enough fix, and the truck doesn't need much more than fluids, tires, and maybe some minor brake work, I might keep it as a back-up beater truck or if mechanically the thing is real good, I might try to find some D150 that's in decent shape and completely swap the body. If the truck turns out to be pretty much junk, I figure I could part it out and easily make my money back and more.

Finally, pictures. God I love that two tone paint. What I would give to be able to buy this truck brand new in 1992.

TexasRedNeck:
Wow. Ask and he shall receive. Maybe you should just dump a TON of money in it, getting it about 90% completely restored and then let it sit in your garage indefinitely. 

(I'm sooo getting fired)


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cudakidd53:
"Incoming!"

Nice find for sure!  Should be able to get it running down the road fairly easily based upon the provided information - watch the "fluid change" business though! :laugh:

KensAuto:
The pictures look better than what you were describing !
It's very possible to get stuck between 2 gears when the trans gets a little sloppy. My 73 gmc would do that if I tried to shift too fast.

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Flyin6:
Nothing about what you said or what I see scares me about that truck

You could immediately sell the engine alone for over $1000 so you made one excellent buy!

Where in Canada?? Alberta?

Was interested if the truck was in a more salt free region.

Anyway, if you don't want to fix it, I call first dibs! Square D needs a partner to rest next to

and

I heard that Tex ;-)

Patience, my friend, patience...

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