I found that by shifting my automatic manually while pulling really helped out. One time I was in a jam and had to use my 1st Gen to pull my 40 ft (8900 lbs) with about 3000 lbs of drill pipe on it. When I shifted manually, before I new it, I was running 70. So I slowed down and set the cruise at 67 and rolled right along. Fortunately, I was only going about 125 miles, but she pulled it like a champ. Didn't have the get up n go like the new ones, but it surprisingly did ok.
I do that too. I have a getrag 5 speed and no carpet in the truck. They get hot towing so the duct tape melted to the floor and my cup holder is semi permanent
Hey Sam Sweet 1st Gen Cummins towing video. My friend Terry is the second owner bought it with 100,700 original km's 1st Gen White 1989 Dodge W250 5.9L 12v 200 horse power. Reg. Cab 5 speed 4x4 600,000k's with a heavy duty cargo box. truck with almost stock. engine, tranmission rear & front axle's stock. Terry put a new clutch, input shaft, serpentine belt Front axle bearings, bushings disc brake's also a straight exhaust, regular oil & trans changes. I got to ride in it lots. Also tow his bobcat twice with it. rolling a little coal oh ya! Terry towed his 5th wheel camper & his wife's 4 horse trailer from L.A. Cali back to his farm in Qualicum Beach Van Isl. B.C. Canada. Then in 2012 it was no longer on the road a sat for a couple of year & Terry gave it to his son's friend for free. I heard that the white dodge truck body & box got scraped & the engine chassis got put in to a 3rd gen crew cab. That truck i wanted so badly to. I do wanna own a first gen some day. Cheers Sam!
Your exactly right the power outputs were low and speed limits were too. 45 then wasn’t considered slow lol. We pulled some ignorant loads in the 80s and early 90s with old square body’s with 454s and no technology. We moved big tractors and equipment with windows down and going slow. Never thought anything about it. Now my truck empty weighs 8500 pounds towing 20k running 75 getting better mileage than we did back then empty. People don’t consider what our speed limits were. We were happy with 15 mpg in gutless half tons and bragged. Sorry got long winded. Love the channel and all you stand for.
I see how new trucks can spoil us I'd like to be spoiled too Just something about a old truck the feeling in one and the simplicity is what wins me Everytime love the 12 valve
Haha yep I have an 80's square body chevy and no one likes to ride in it. No A/C, no radio, no cup holders, it's a 1 ton so the suspension is HARD. The doors are heavy and no one can seem to close them all the way. They hate the crank windows. They hate the bench seat. They hate how tall it is with no running boards. "Uhh, I'm NOT riding in that..." it's not even rusted at all either. I love that truck. New vehicles do spoil everyone.
I had a first generation Cummins ram wd250 with a getrag 5 speed with 354 gears. I pulled a 9000lb fifth wheel trailer. Going up a 5 percent grade at 42 mph in the drive gear at full fuel.
I'd love a 1st gen as a Sunday truck. I'm sure the salty old timers probably have the uphill 15 miles in the snow with no heat stories about their trucks but after having a 4th gen that's 30 years newer there's no comparison. The 1st gens are just a classic old truck that'll run forever. Good shop truck for a fuel tank and parts etc in your case.
My Grandpa hauled trailers in the 90’s with a first gen all across the country. His had the crappy 5 speed Getrag which kept blowing up so he swapped in an Eaton Fuller 10 speed and never looked back.
Just take it easy and should be fine! I pull my 8500bl excavator on my 3200lb dump trailer with my dually sprinter van! I am pretty sure I am overloading the van, it's not happy but doing it!
Any more the 1st gens are cool to have as let’s go and some ice cream or to a truck show. My buddy has a 1st all it tows is his riding mower and maybe a atv. He has a newer truck for pulling equipment with. Keep up the good work and stay safe out there.
Unfortunately I agree with you. They are too expensive now, hard to get parts for and don't have the capability to tow as much as the newer ones. You can make them better though by throwing $$$$$ and time at them!!!!!
I towed my 78 John Deer 310A extend aho. with 14k Doolittle goose neck, with my 93 W250 5sp one way 20 miles in UT, when I moved back to Wyoming pulled my wifes 2nd gen clubcab up Parley's canyon on same trailer, passed a few powerstrokes, and Duramaxes on the way. Loaded my trailer with lots of stuff weighed more than my truck and trailer combined took it the other way thru Morgan canyon. However after about 2000 miles of round trips hauling lots of weight, I should have drove in 4th gear instead of 5th. need trans fixed 5th is whining. Love my old 1st gen. And yes old school trucks are better. Have videos to prove it. Good luck with your newer trucks, we will see if they last as long as these old 1st gens.
I pull 18000 with my '89. Cattle trailer, in pretty decent hill country. 5 speed though, and I'm not sure why your brakes are like that, mine don't have nearly that much play.
I had to build the transmission on an old snap on truck a guy had turned into a roadside service truck, he had turned the old 12 valve up to 280hp and smoked the tranny, she got a lock up converter and the works. Night and day difference. The own said it was like he had a different truck.
Buddy’s dad had an old first gen stick shift making roughly 450 horse and he pulled 25k with it often hauling there pulling tractors sweet old truck it had turbo pump work injectors head studs valve springs and a dual disk
@B B definetly not a push my buddy right now is building a p-pump motor looking to use it for pulling and hopeing it makes 700 bare minimum it’s gonna make 600
I tried that and made a video with my 07 5.9 with 48re trying to tow 20,000lbs the trans temp on the edge went up faster than the speedometer lol. It would be doable if you took your time but the trans just isn't up to the task. The first gear ratio is way to tall to start off and then it's building heat until the converter locks in 3rd gear. I never was a huge Duramax fan, but I wound up buying an lbz Duramax and that 6spd allison 1000 trans tows awesome! Still got my cummins though...
First gear is 2.5 to 1. That can't get heavy weight moving from a dead stop. The trans has no lockup in any gear so just keeps making that oil hotter!!!!!!! YIKES!!!!!!!!!! 5 0r 6 gear manual is the best way.
48re does having a locking torque converter. i do agree that these older engines like 5.9 12v and 7.3 last long cause of the lower horsepower. can't break anything if it takes forever to go 0-60 mph but can tow anything slowly
I spent 37 year run equipment. 32 years with one company. Retired in 2017. I start out with Hough 65 load open house. 9000 hr is all you get out of a motor. I was in my teen and 20s. At end of day you could feel. My last 17 year I ran a John deer 624 H both loader hand side dump I did water, sewer, rehab. You got the job with either load. Just with 624 H had glass house and was 10 x the machine and I could still walk at the end of the day. They sold when I retired it had 19000 hr same engine,brake,tranny. ac still work.Same thing with the dodge truck from ok to great. WHAT CHANGE in truck and equipment are you going to see in your life time.
Old guy liking 2wd, makes sense. From what I’ve read and heard my dad talk about, 2wd trucks tow better down the road, due to being closer to the ground, they get better gas mileage and weigh less, have a higher pay load.
Those first gens were definitely a game changer in the diesel pickup world. Everyone was using 1 ton Fords and Chevys with 460 and 454 big block gas trucks that were reasonable tow vehicles for what they were but when the first gen came around the gas big block was moving less weight and using twice as much fuel. Those first gens were commonly getting 23-25 mpg 2wd and empty. Most of them even got 15+ towing. Even though I am a Ford guy I am smart enough to know that the Powertroke, Cummins, and even the Duramax we have today would not be what they are without the first gen Cummins. You are right those early diesels were lacking power compared to today's even the 7.3 that eveyone loves and yes I had one and I thought it would pull the world if you would show me where to hook up but my 6.7 Powerstroke and the 6.7 Cummins of today would run circles around it on its best day.
Ill put 9k ish behind my first gen (it’s got a manual trans), only thing is the trailer must have brakes otherwise stopping will be a chore. I put a second gen Cummins 2500 4x4 on my trailer behind the first gen😬. Now I’ll put 15k behind my second gen dually without hesitation
I once saw a First Gen hauling a double decker Car Transport Trailer up,,, YES UP the Highway. it only had one car on it at the time but that big long steel trailer alone had to weigh a lot. Didn't look like it was struggling to do 50 MPH, maybe it was I dunno. Point being.....with some mods, fuel, turbo etc can these Old First Gens actually be made to tow like a 4th Gen? Anybody know?
My dad had a 92 Dodge D250 that he bought brand new. He pull a 20 foot gooseneck flatbed trailer with a Ford 2110 4wd tractor with front end loader on it every day for as long as he owned it. It had a automatic transmission in it.
i have both 1st n 2nd gen both 12V both 5 sped and both duallys , so i just tow with my 2nd gen 53' 3 car hauler the other day with total weigh i scale was around 29k and truck did ok , definitely does not preforms like my 2015 ram 3500 but one thing i notice 12V got better MPG . ps 12V has 0 plate and smoke screw turned up and 4" exhaust thats it 2015 its not stock too but its about 3 mpg difference
I had a 2wd 92 the nonlocking trans lasted 325k with minimal wear on the passing gear wish I had it still. I drove it loaded but didn’t tow often. as soon as they added the locking torque converter they started blowing up transmissions
@@decentgarage I'm downgrading from a newer truck but as long I got 4x4, A/C in the summer, heat in the winter, and a bluetooth radio so I can listen to my music then I'll be a happy man.
My 93 7.3IDI manual, crew cab is the same, “top of the line power windows (up front only) electric door locks but no cup holders. I found the ones that hook to the door. I’ll keep my smog exempt Ford and replace the engine. Thought about a 3126 Cat but don’t know if I can put a manual behind it. So I may go with rebuilding the IDI adding a turbo or 12V swap it.
@@aceinternational4788 I figured that but haven’t seen anyone do it. The 2 OBS Ford’s I’ve seen on YT with the 3126 Cat swap used the automatic that came out of the donor.
@@BuckInchuteranch1 I've seen the F350 on RU-vid that is painted like Optimus Prime inside and out and it's got a CAT & Allison trans both out of a dump truck donor 😅 super cool build
@@BuckInchuteranch1 umm it’s plug and play buy the sae 2 bell housing and put it onto any engine even your 7.3 lol and then slide onto your Eaton gearbox an 8406 or 6406 will easily fit into your frame as it’s much lighter then the 10spds and up it’s about the same size as a nv5600 the eaton 8406 gearbox
I tow a 30' Toy Hauler with my '92 D250 5spd couple times a year. I do daily drive it though. She's got a HE351, full 4" exhaust, 5x12 injectors, old school Kelsey Hayes hydraulic brake controller and does just fine.
Your channel has got me wanting a ram or Cummins swap my 04 6.0 Harley truck. I seen video on CP Steve Miller channel talking about a lot of issues with newer rams. I’m guessing those issues r do to way they r treated. You seem to have great service with yours. Btw. Great video as always
@@VBELTandSON I do save on labor because I can work on the 6.0/7.3. On the 6.0 engine is strong until you get to the high pressure oil system. No way I would hotshot with a 6.0. Every hotshot truck I see here in KY is Rams
Hi with my first generation 160 horse manual 5 speed 4x4 with 354 gears i pulled a 11000 lb fifth wheel trailer. It would go up a steep hill in direct i would go 45 mph . There the most reliable ram 🐏. My 03 ram big pile of junk. My 2021 ram in 3 weeks and 860 miles had a fuel leak .now we are waiting for the fuel line.
Not to shabby. I have an 04 with 336k on it. Seen some 25k tows. Burn outs and never missed a beat. Bummer on the new truck. Iron out the kinks seems typical
Biggest difference is the brakes. Hydro boost is a game changer and the vacuum boost in the 1st gen always leaves you questioning if it’s gonna stop. I’ve towed a dump trailer loaded with big oak chunks with my d250 while my trailer brake controller was disconnected and I wouldn’t do it again.
@@jacobpritchard4847 yaaa few time you wish you didn’t drop strait to an idle when coming to a stop been there done that with my fun truck 97 2500 but doesn’t have the hydro boost
@@VBELTandSON If you end up hauling any kind of weight get a low stall converter, they put such a high stall unit in to make it easier on the transmission's hard parts. However that high stall and torque multiplication come at the cost of heat generation. Lower stall = much cooler temps.
Its not as bad as you make it seem. I have a 1980 Dodge D300 Crew Cab Dually with a 360ci and 727 3 speed Automatic. It has a Dana 60 front Axle and a Dana 70 rear Axle. It has rear drum brakes and front disc brakes but I do have a trailer brake controller and the brakes do fine. Unloaded I cruise at 75 all day on the highway. I tow 15,000 pounds regularly with it and it is stable as can be. With that said I will be putting in a 1996 12v, 1995 47rh, and a 1996 Dana 80 rear axle.
I have a 93 d350 auto ill only tow up to 8k with it...she likes it! Od off i live in flat area no big hills... could i tow more yes ...do i want to no...1st gens are forever trucks...they newer onez are trade in get new ones after so many yearz...
Crazy how trucks are better in almost every way now. At this point you'd have to be insane to buy a first gen to hot shot. Anyone that buys these trucks now knows what they are getting.
16cm exhaust housing on the turbo, 4 inch exhaust, stage two fuel pin and tune the VE pump and that truck would run like a whole different animal. And that’s 60-70hp for under $1,000
@@VBELTandSON you can upgrade the rear drum brakes to the 3” ones. Only need to resurface the drums and then use the 3” shoes with the cylinders for the 3” shoes. Not sure if if the 3” brakes were only on the 1 tons. Did mine years ago.
@@jbschlachta The 3in brakes were 1 ton only but the only difference is the shoe, they used the same drum on both trucks. You can also upgrade to the GM 1 ton wheel cylinders which are recommended if your keeping the drums.
I have a 93 1st gen, dad bought it new. The getrag made it to about 100 thousand. Dad replaced it with a nv4500. He was a truck drive and a lot better then me. He pulled a 34 ft 5th wheel camper with a gvw of 14500. I pulled my 28 ft enclosed trailer that is right around 10000 lbs bumper pull. I don't know how dad did other then being a retired trucker. My 03 6 sp handles my 28 ft trailer 10 times better then the old 93 I did a complete brake overhaul in October of 19 and it really helped the 93 stop better. Like the content and try to watch all your video. Stay safe and try and stay cool out there
In the newer gens 5 & 6th I turn the tow on just for Jake brake (exhaust brake) even with a 5k load. Why, it feels great slowing down without abusing brakes
Replace the automatic with a manual, add some more power, put ball mount hitch in the bed and repair the brakes and you can now tow a lot more as long as you are careful!!!!!!
I remember right after I finished my 12 valve swap back in 2000, my buddy and I loaded his 93' club cab long bed on my gooseneck and headed to Long Beach for a Diesel Fest. Oh boy the Grapevine was fun but it handled it ok. definitely would like to upgrade to an Alison and Ditch the 727! But yes they just keep getting better, maybe a new truck in my future some day!!!
@@VBELTandSON ive never had problem with the old rigs.... keep up on service, good brakes, everything adjusted ect.... New trucks have thrown me in a derate at the least opportune time.... more than once.
@@VBELTandSON I’ve towed with both the 97 and an 08 the same loads and with both. Without the trailer brakes they both stop about the same I wouldn’t want to have to emergency brake with either but as far just normal stopping the 97 stopped fine. I couldn’t tell much difference between the 97 and 08 when towing the same weight without trailer brakes
Towing 10,000lbs its not that big of deal....heck use to do that with a 91 chev van with a v6. I tow 20,000lbs with my 91 D350 5 speed running on WVO and she doesn't skip a beat.
@@VBELTandSON Well you keep your junk and I'll keep mine but when your Def computer controlled system or some other module goes I'll be rolling by you with my simple truck with a loaded trailer a few wrenches a screwdriver blowing you a kiss.
@@JH-dc4jp 😂😂😂🙈 i wouldn’t trust the thin frame on a first gen to do what you say you do but… ps I’d put money on it I have more older rigs that you 😏🤫
Poor testing. Don’t bother bad mouthin son. We all get it. I was professional hauler and they were the best for the time. The maintenance on those new rigs can bankrupt ya . So good luck to you.
I absolutely hate the opinions of people who ignore the improves that has been made with trucks over the past three decades. The biggest thing that gets me is the people that say the early 2000s trucks are complete dogs like the 5.4 triton or the 5.3 vortec. But they’ll say the older windsors and 350s were so much better for towing and what not. Simply not the case. They have gradually improved trucks over the years. The early 2000s get hate because those are the ones that frequently get compared to the newer stuff. There’s simply not very many late 80s 90s trucks on the road nowadays.
