Debate on Generation designation

[oldestof11]

If any of you want to see the back ground for this, look up "Not a 1st Gen" on DTR. Mark made the challenge to post it on here so here is the question:

What years constitute as a 1st Gen and WHY DO YOU THINK THAT?

Going from other manufacturers and past history, Gen 1 started in 81 and changed with bodily improvements not the engine.

Dodge called it the 1st Gen when the p pump 2nd gen came out.

My logic is coming from Gm, Honda, Vw, BMW all stating when the new generation came about, not when they did an engine change. There are old Hondas, Vw, Bmws but when the family of vehicles remained similar, they got generational tags.

[1990]

1st gen dodge ram - 81-93

1st gen Cummins 89-93

[BC847]

Let's NOT have this thread turn into a pissing-match. No baiting to get somebody fired-up. No derogatory posts about another opinion.

[Tacoclaw]

If this argument happened on sites that catered to gas trucks, the body argument may have a point. However, since these sites only apply to diesel engines the generations should only describe engines.

If I'm asking about what body panels from a gasser fit my truck, I always list specific years. If I'm asking about parts from Cummins-era trucks I just mention the generation.

[dazedandconfused]

If this argument happened on sites that catered to gas trucks, the body argument may have a point. However, since these sites only apply to diesel engines the generations should only describe engines.

If I'm asking about what body panels from a gasser fit my truck, I always list specific years. If I'm asking about parts from Cummins-era trucks I just mention the generation.

Well given that theory what about the second gens? Wouldn't that make the P pump the 2nd gen, VP44 a 3rd gen and so on? It's always went on body style changes.

[Tacoclaw]

They're usually split as 2nd gen 12v and 2nd gen 24v's.

[Mark Nixon]

1st gen, where our Cummins Turbo Diesel trucks are concerned, is 1989-1993.
Cut and dried, the ENGINE started the generational transformation on the Cummins-Powered Dodge trucks, without it, "it's just another old (year) Dodge Truck".

You can debate with me 'till the cows come home about the "RAM" generational designation, but people seem to forget that THAT designation first appeared (unofficially recognized), on the fenders of certain models in 1979.

I could give 2 hoots and a holler about the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or umpteenth generations, the one that started it all is the one that matters.

Mark.

[peobryant]

The term "generation" in reference to trucks is a diesel only thing for me. I don't refer to the gas powered trucks a 1st or 2nd generation, to me they're just a 1500. I think the 1st Generation started with the '89 Cummins and has since changed with the body style for the trucks. To me, a 1st Gen Dodge will always be a 1989-1993 Dodge Ram 250 or 350 with a Cummins Turbo Diesel engine.

[PToombs]

I agree with Mark and Parker. Previous to '89 it was a dodge truck, I go by the when it got a diesel as a Gen 1, change of body in '94 (with a diesel!) as a gen 2, '03 is a 3rd gen, etc. Any mid '90's or newer truck that's not a diesel is still just a Dodge truck to me. It has to be a diesel to be considered a Generation whatever truck. I still love the older trucks, it's what I kinda grew up on after I started working and got away from the old mans fords. For some reason I never really liked them.


I wondered if Jon was starting a thread to see how long it would be before Dave locked it.......

[ellis93]

Yep....first gen=89 to 93 WITH a DIESEL
Conversion dodges are pretty cool though

[1STGENFARMBOY]

I'm with Mark, Parker, Pete, and Ellis, 89-93 250-350

Dar

[BobS]

The bottom line is that it's all cyber world "forum slang" Go to any auto parts store, wrecking yard, used car dealer that has NEVER been on the internet and ask him if he has any Dodge "first gen" trucks or parts and see what he tells you. The same applies to dent side and panther platforms in the Ford world. It's whatever the majority on a forum accept as a common term standard boundary over a period of time.

[CAJUN 93]

as someone who has owned and driven dodge trucks before the cummins was ever put into them i figure that any truck i can pull a door of of and hang on mine without modification is a first gen. that includes ramchargers. i do agree that its all internet jargon that means nothing in the real parts hunting world. just remember when your bed gets smashed in and you find a cherry one off a 82 model you won't care about what gen it is.

daryl

[PToombs]

Well, there's 2 votes of Realistic versus the Idealistic!

[CAJUN 93]

LOL, thats about it Pete. it dont mean much anywheres other than here. and here it'll hurt someones feelings. the older these things get, the better we'll all have to be at finding stuff to keep them running.

and just for the record, if cummins and dodge had never met, i would still have my truck with a 8 mpg 440 in it.

daryl