And yes dot is out for blood around here, I just got a ticket today ha! For unsecure load. I strapped two pallets of drilling paper down like crazy but somehow someway one sneaked out and fell on my catwalk right behind my truck. None of my straps loosened up and I couldn't see it but the state trooper sure did and ya I was a gonner as soon as he turned around

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Ya ive been driving a big rig hauling mud for about a year but want to diversify a lil. Hate the crazy hours but mainly see that I want to build a company and paying your dues is part of it. The only thing that really gets me too is time away from family but like I said its all for something and hopefully it will pay off for us. Just gota stay locked loaded and ready to rock.

 

Im from west texas and hot shot out there for years before i moved to fort worth area man i would diff look into a new truck. if you have to run new mexico or even the panhandle having a 3-5 year old rig will work out way better for you. unless u start boxing in your frame around the steering ect on the 1st gen. or take marks advise and get a 96 and swap out a ve 12 valve. and if your running texas you know how it is with the DOT stuff you can get away with in Oklahoma or other places don't fly in Texas thats how they buy those fancy cruzers and gun and ammo. with truckers income. ive seen city and counties start to buy their own DOT enforcement trucks helping out the state troopers. anyway Good Luck if you dont have your own authorities and get your rig i know several good brokers and lease companies all west Texas Odessa ect...

 

Is like a newer truck believe me but I'm trying to buy a house and as crazy as the housing is around here is rather start with something small. I know im gona have more problems and breakdowns but like I said I dont wana pile on the debt. My cousin gets alot of work and is letting me in his company but thanks on the the offer to help out. Thanks you guys for all the help and input. good to know there is still helpful people out there

 

just wanted to clarify that if you get a 1st gen you must take care of the dowel pin........ its not worth the risk. it is a factory alignment pin and is made of harder metal than your timing gears........ it is a cheap fix if you catch it and expensive if you dont. also......... the whole p7100 2nd gen pump swap is more than a bolt on. it takes new lines and the whole front of your motor getting swaped for hard to find 2nd gen stuff......... plus there is no need to put in a p7100 because you said you didint want to go crazy......... you wont need the amount of fuel that pump puts out........ yet. however you will need to search for a good lift pump. i suggest the holley black pump mounted as close to the fuel tank as possible......... but theres lots of options.

 

Just talked to a gentleman out of Kansas City to-day who was wanting an NV5600.
It seems he can't keep an NV4500 in his 2003 (YES! It's factory!) and was hitting me up for a 6 speed.

It seems he's exploded 3 or 4 NV4500s behind his 5.9 in his one ton...
While grossing ~ 35,000 to 40,000 pounds.

I suggested he buy a Medium duty, like an FL70, or the like.

Mark.

 

I like the first gen over any of the others.
Body is tougher, rides like a buckboard wagon.
NO Computer.
First gen seat is a 16 hour seat.
Can be fixed with a coat hanger and duct tape on the side of the road.
I have both a auto and a getrag.
auto ad a trans cooler, getrag and a extra qt of oil and don't bog it in 5th.
Both auto and manual get better mpg than the newer ones.

 

thats a 1st gen for ya!

 

I am a fanatical 1st gen LOVER and I even disagree.
A 2nd gen 12 valve 1-ton is a helluva truck and they don't get as bad of mileage as you might think.
Last year I had a '96 2500, 5 speed, 2wd.
I got 20-21 mpg religiously unloaded, with up to 2k payload, then 14-16mpg pulling a 14k 2-car trailer, loaded with a headwind.

BOTH trucks have attrocious steering, frame cracking issues and the first gen is a nightmare in wiring issues after 20-odd years.
The 2nd gen definitely has the 1st gen on ride and creature comforts, and dare I say, baddass looks in 1 tons with darker colors.

Like I mentioned before, I was very pleased with my VE pumped engine in the '96 3500 I had back in '08.
It would pull well down low and still do just as good for mileage, but the P-7100 isn't the evil thing some would have you believe, either.

NONE of these trucks does a solid, reliable 25+ mpgs without some trickery, anyway.

Mark.

 

anytime! if your out west we probably know same people its a small world out there and even smaller in west Texas. anyway bro take care and keep her between the lines! need anything holler without hesitation!

 

Yes, go thru your truck totally. Get it DOT legal, as was said. Drive her like ya stole her, until you can get a early model 12 2ndGen to take over, probably 98'.....If I were you, I'd drive the 1stGen till I could afford a good used low miles 2nd Gen thats set up for just that. They're out there.
Problem is, by the time the HotShotters are thru with them, they've been thrashed pretty good. Then They get a new truck.
With a new truck your not gonna have any down time due to breakage if ya got a new 'good' truck. If it breaks, its under warranty, then you still got the old girl to fall back on, while the new one is getting fixed.....