Help me pick my first 1st Gen truck!

[oldestof11]

If you look hard, you can find one. Before the fire, my truck was a used farm truck. Ironically the only rust was in the bed. The frame doesn't even have flakes of rust. If i had a decent bed and the rats nest of wiring gone, this truck would have been worth 7k plus. I got it from a kid that blew his gto engine up the day after i looked at it. I talked him down from 6200 to 5k. Even the drivers floor board has surface rust on it, door bushings in decent shape, and electrical problems.since electrical doesn't bother me as i can easily fix it, body rust was a huge thing for me.

[LJinLA]

You are going to be hard pressed to find a 4x4 5 speed in decent shape for $5000. Around here beat down junk that needs body redone, transmission work and other mechanical issues are bringing $6500+. A nice truck is in the 10k range.

You know, when I began searching for one, I came across a 92 W250 manual in good condition for $3,400 .. that was at the end of last year. An old guy had it, and it was local to me, just 25 miles away. Unfortunately, I hesitated.....I wasn't as motivated as I am now to get one and I did not know any better......and that truck was sold that same evening. Should have grabbed it immediately and paid the $3,400 upfront. Making mistakes such as this one is how we learn
So, deals like that can be found, you just don't come across them very often. By reading in various forums.....there are several examples of guys paying even lower prices than that for their W250s. I'm searching for one every single day. I'm in no rush. The right deal will come along. Once it does, I'll post a picture here and how much I paid for it.

[LJinLA]

Has any of you ever bought a salvage title truck and fixed it?
It's a bit adventurous, but there is a very local to me, damaged 1992 Cummins Ram 4x4 manual. According to the owner it can be started and driven. The truck, apart from the accident damage looks in very good condition, no rust, excellent interior/exterior, very clean engine, etc. Owner initially wanted $3.5K but I think I can get it for $2K or less. It looks like a $10K truck. Can anyone give any feedback on this, please?

[dazedandconfused]

In Kentucky you file for a rebuilders title and have to gave vehicle inspected by the sheriff's office.

[tampabayBill]

Pull the trigger and get with a build thread !! That being said check it over carefully and make sure the work required fits your skill sset and finances.

[RumbleFish]

id do it for $2k. worst case scenario is you part it out and make your money back if you cant fix it.

[LJinLA]

Yep, I'd like to jump on it, but here is my dilemma:
The damage seems to be just to the body, the engine isn't damaged. However, the damage to the front of the body is extensive: on the right corner, the headlight is gone, the hood bent, much of the front grill, bumper, etc. is no longer there.
Now, I don't have a garage or other place where to store the truck - I would have to park it in the street, in a highly trafficked section of Los Angeles.
Since the truck can be driven, I thought I might be able to give it a temporary fix so that it wouldn't draw too much attention and could be registered as a non-salvage vehicle, if this is at all possible by simply changing its status from salvage, and then work on it little by little.
I know, it's a very precarious way to go about it, but there's nothing else I can do about it in my present situation. The deal is very tempting to me and it'll probably be gone quickly unless I grab it immediately.
But, unless I can change the truck's status from salvage title so that it can be legally driven and parked on the street, this is unfortunately a deal I won't be able to take advantage of. If someone has any input in this sense, it would be much appreciated.

[dazedandconfused]

You don't have a driveway to park in?

[Rob_O]

Has any of you ever bought a salvage title truck and fixed it?
It's a bit adventurous, but there is a very local to me, damaged 1992 Cummins Ram 4x4 manual. According to the owner it can be started and driven. The truck, apart from the accident damage looks in very good condition, no rust, excellent interior/exterior, very clean engine, etc. Owner initially wanted $3.5K but I think I can get it for $2K or less. It looks like a $10K truck. Can anyone give any feedback on this, please?

Are the parts you will need to fix the thing reasonably available? Have some friends that can help you put it back together? Is the frame straight?

Could be the truck you are looking for

[Rob_O]

You are going to be hard pressed to find a 4x4 5 speed in decent shape for $5000. Around here beat down junk that needs body redone, transmission work and other mechanical issues are bringing $6500+. A nice truck is in the 10k range.

Dang... Where is Walton, KY? I think I might have a truck for sale!

[LJinLA]

No, unfortunately I don't have a driveway to park in... Live in an apartment building now. Used to be in a larger building with my own garage, but unfortunately I lost that and the truck can now be parked only in the street. Not a very good situation, I know.
Yes, the frame looks straight, I'm supposed to meet with the current owner again tomorrow afternoon. I think I can straighten the hood and whatever else I can avoid replacing and repaint those areas myself. I'll definitely need to get a grille, a bumper, the headlight and and other parts around it on the right side of the truck, and very likely other stuff too.
I know this could be an excellent deal for me if I can figure out how to go about it in a reasonably way. The fact that I have no place other than the street to park it in, might kill this deal for me.... Let's see. I'll definitely figure it out/find out after talking to the DMV on Monday morning.

[dazedandconfused]

You are going to be hard pressed to find a 4x4 5 speed in decent shape for $5000. Around here beat down junk that needs body redone, transmission work and other mechanical issues are bringing $6500+. A nice truck is in the 10k range.

Dang... Where is Walton, KY? I think I might have a truck for sale!

Lol not far from you. Maybe hour and a half north.

[LJinLA]

Truck with salvage title was sold this morning before I got there....

[LJinLA]

Have been waiting for a 4x4 manual in my price range to no avail.
My girl will soon be in town and for a few months...it would be great to have a truck with shell to go camping, and to have it NOW...
So, I've just concocted a crazy idea fueled by momentary desperation You guys tell me what you think of it, hopefully dissuading me from pursuing it if it doesn't make much sense.
I've just come across a local deal, it's a 93 D250, reg cab, NV4500 5-speed stick, salvage title, but in good mechanical condition (though beat up cosmetically) that I could get for, say, $800. The thing is, it has a GAS (5.2L/318 v8 - not a cummins) engine in it. New battery, alternator and belt. AC blows cold. Heat/wipers/lights all work as they should. Good tires with lots of tread. Just passed CA smog. Starts up every time. The bad stuff: gas gauge doesn't work, 3rd gear syncro is bad, steering has some play, probably needs tie rod ends.
This is my thinking: could get it very cheap, get a $100 shell for it and use it for camping as is. Then, in the long run drop a cummins engine in it and little by little fix whatever needs fixing. Is this totally off the wall? Please bring me back to my sanity with your feedback. (The tempting part is that it can be gotten very, very cheaply...)

[dazedandconfused]

Is it a 2wd truck? If its 4x4 it would be a W250. I would buy it but I've got brain damage and like working on everything I own.