Thinking of selling my truck, somebody tell me I'm stupid.

So some half hearted market research seems to show that my ugly old Dodge might be worth enough that I could buy a decent vehicle If I was to sell it.

On one hand, this truck is currently my daily driver, and a daily driver that can actually do the speed limit on the interstate might be nice(thinking GMT400/800 2wd 1500), also the 1-ton is really overkill for anything I'll ever need it for, mostly means I have to deal with things like buying 6 215/85/16 tires and finding 30 year old 1 ton truck parts.

On the other hand, I really like this truck and it's going to suck when I see it around town driven by a high school kid with a giant stack in the bed.

Basically, somebody show some evidence to ruin my delusions that something like this could work, or just talk me out of doing something semi responsible.

Ask yourself this, if you sell it and regret it, what are the chances of finding another one later on. And even if you do, what are the chances of it being in the same shape or better than the one you have now.

I'm going through this myself. I have my old truck and one I thought would be a good replacement. I'm trying hard to like the newer one, but at moment I'm glad I haven't sent the old girl packing as I may just end up keeping it and getting rid of the newer one.

I thought about the idea of missing it, but honestly, I think I miss this truck more than I would my dually.

and It was a v6 truck that I only got to drive in a field once when I was 15.

The way 1st gen cummins truck prices are going, if you couldn't come up with the amount of cash the truck is worth right now, there's a small chance you'd be able to get another one if you changed your mind later and wanted it back.

I just checked out a sweet 1g dually bidding at 16k on ebay.

You don't identify the truck, but if it's a dually 1-ton that won't do the interstate speed limit, that sounds like an old grain truck. Nifty for local runs to the mill hauling corn and silage, but not much else.

If you want to actually drive somewhere, you do want a different truck.

In reply to foxtrapper:

It's a 1989 Dodge D350 with the 6bt Cummins and the 727. And I feel like the 727 probably hurts its value a bit since I spend a fair bit of my spare time trying to come up with a way to replace it with something else.

You're stupid.

Does it do what you need it to? If not, what could you do to make it better? Is doing the work and having that same truck more or less attractive than just buying a different truck? Do you love that particular truck enough to modify it to work better?

If you're not hauling/towing things that need the diesel 1-ton, and you don't love it as is for pure enjoyment and toy value, cut it loose. You've already said the old Dodge you really want is a 1/2 ton 6 cyl truck - and those will always be easier / cheaper to find than the Cummins trucks. Don't hold on to something because it's valuable or rare in the market if it doesn't have real value for you. If that's the case you'll just end up neglecting it until it's less valuable than it should be.

If it's not a truck you would be looking to buy today, then sell it and buy something that you do want. Bonus if it's worth more than you paid for it.

Well, how doable is a transmission swap, to say that 5-speed manual they came with otherwise? Would that make it more usable and interstate capable, and be worth your time and money?

You know, you dont have to sell it to a kid with a flat brimmed hat... Just put no kids in the ad. But on the other hand, and i could be totally wrong, but i dont see that type of kid wanting this thing, at least around these parts they all drive the nicer newer diesels and crap them out, seems to me the prospective buyer for an old 2wd dually dodge is more some older dude needing to haul horses or cars. Again i could be wrong but that "no kids part" and saying no to kids is the more surefire way

In reply to ultraclyde:

Well, it's entirely possible that I might be taking a long trip with a trailer to go buy a car from a friend in New York in a couple months, and in the process of planning this I didn't even consider this truck because I didn't think it was capable of making the trip. So I guess when it comes down to it, no, this truck doesn't currently do what I want, either as a tool, or as a toy. I could make it do what I want, but I think it would require resources I don't think I'll have for quite a while.

If you sell the Dodge, I'll sell you the elky. ...

It won't pull a car trailer either, but at least it does highway speed and above easily.

So I started to write an ad, then walked down to it, peeled some stickers off of the back window, realized I probably need to fluff it up a bit before I try to sell it, had more blasphemous thoughts on what to do with it, then decided my best course of action would be to keep working on it, clean it up a bit, then think about it later when I'm not looking at what it'll cost to rebuild the rear axle.

If you're driving something you hate just to be practical then you're no better than a Camry driver.

I agree 1st gen 12V Dodges sell for crazy money. That is actually what I wanted when I bought my 95 (2nd gen) in '07. They weren't cheap back then either. Especially if you only wanted a vary specific truck (long bed, club cab, 4x4 & 5 spd). Good, rust free trucks were selling for well into the teens. I haven't researched it much lately, but I doubt the prices have gotten any lower.

Yes, the 727 and being 2WD will hurt values some, but that can be fixed. My 95 originally started out life as a '96 2WD truck with a V10 auto. The previous owner swapped in the entire drivetrain and dash (with VIN) from a '95 truck. From what I could see, the conversion was a completely bolt-in project (the V10 and Cummins trucks used the same frame, whereas V8 2500 frames were different).

My truck would do highway speeds easily, even with 3000 lbs of wet firewood in the bed.

If converting a truck like yours, I wouldn't install a 5 spd from that era (they were really crap transmissions). Get a 6 spd from a later truck. To be honest, if going through all that work and expense, I'd convert it to 4WD as well. It would net you the maximum return on the investment. A 1st gen, 12V, 4WD dually with a 5 spd should sell for solid money. Add a few more $K if yours is a club cab (can't tell from the pics).

I've been looking into trans swaps, if I do all that work, it's not going anywhere.

mazdeuce wrote: If you're driving something you hate just to be practical then you're no better than a Camry driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maxCdDTPHR4

Camry doing practical things. In my hometown a week ago. Found on local FB car enthusiast group. The dude is pretty funny too when the LS1 driver starts acting all butthurt on FB.

Vigo wrote:

mazdeuce wrote: If you're driving something you hate just to be practical then you're no better than a Camry driver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maxCdDTPHR4 Camry doing practical things. In my hometown a week ago. Found on local FB car enthusiast group. The dude is pretty funny too when the LS1 driver starts acting all butthurt on FB.

Or better yet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpVIRHKy4is

and (same car after a new motor build)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifv5FPxy5QI

In reply to Chadeux:

I rarely have any intention of selling any of my cars or trucks. But experience has taught me it's worth keeping in mind.

In reply to Vigo:

There is a difference between driving an awesome Camry, and driving one because you have given up. Sort of like middle age dudes in minivans.

Speaking of 1st gen Cummins with a 5 spd and 4WD:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322085772227?rmvSB=true

It'll be interesting to see what it sells for.

That's the one i was talking about. Interesting to think that that's the same money i was thinking about buying a Ferrari (Mondial..) for when they were that money a few years ago. Or the same-ish money people in this thread have bought DD-quality AC 911 for a few years ago. Think of it that way, and it's crazy.

So you're telling me a dude with a beard is going to get rich with a clothing store and then make an internet movie about personalizing old Dodge trucks?

Keep the truck. I regret selling my 92 D250 Cummins 5-speed all the time. That was probably the best truck I have ever owned.