Hmmm

 

okay, I have found a couple of decent lwb to look at.....'93 being the latest model.
is it '94/'95 that have the preferred dash? I have not yet found one of those to look at, but I hear that it is a nicer set up. is it that much nicer? I don't really mind the dash looks of the trucks I have viewed. I assume it is a retrofit conversion project, if I so desire.....correct?

 

The LWB was offered in '93, '94 and '95. The '93 typically had Saddle brown leather with Mediterranean poplar wood trim. There were a handful (200 to be exact) of Sable Editions with dark brown (almost black) leather and black interior trim. The '94 LWB maintained the Classic hard dash but the wood trim was a dark burled walnut. Interior colors were the common Sorrel Brown, Lightstone and Sable.

The '95 Classics, the LWB and SWB were fitted with what is called the soft dash. Essentially, it is a modified Discovery dash board but not all the parts are interchangeable. The bezel around the instruments is a part difficult to find in good shape. The same can be said of the center dash fascia. Other parts hard to come by in good shape include the ski slope wood center console piece, the speaker grille covers on the doors and the trim around the front windshield (different than all preceding Classics). There are a number of other parts unique to the '95 as well.

The '95 had a much better, more modern HVAC system and heater cores where much easier to replace. The audio system was by Harman Kardon instead of ADS. Interior colors where either Sorrel Brown or Lightstone except for the Anniversary and Aspen silver editions which were Ash grey with Granite piping.

Overall, because it was the last year for the Classic, from a collectors standpoint, it's more desirable. It's also more desirable thanks to the better HVAC and dash ergonomics. Nevertheless, there are those diehard fans that love the hard dash despite all its foibles. It's a matter for the individual to decide. Frankly, I love the big chucks of wood on the hard dash and think it's more in keeping with the uniqueness of the Classic character. To me, the soft dash makes me feel like I'm in a Discovery.

 

Oh and there is no easy retro fit. If you have a hard dash you live with the hard dash and vice versa. To make any changes would require massive work including changes to the bulkhead.

 

Thank you encyclopedia grant. That clears the fog. I think a solitaire year design sounds like a project pita. I'm good going with the older years. I am not a collector of things, that are not enjoyed. I like the idea of the older, more part accessible, models. I too have like the looks of the interior, just fine. Going to look at 2 white ones, today. One has 113k on it and the lady said interior is like it was when she purchased the truck new. Maintained 1 owner......sounds promising. We'll see.

 

Did you find one? I think that you will love a 93 or 94 LWB. My first RRC was a black 91 SWB, later I bought a green 95 SWB. I sold both of these trucks and later bought a 94 LWB. To me, the best decision ever made for many reasons including those explained by Paul.

You probable know this, but check the tailgate for rust, avoid trucks from the NE or any place where salt is used on the roads during winter, and of course the head gaskets. If you find one with the job already done (ask for receipts or any other evidence) that will be the icing on the cake. Otherwise, just be prepared to do it preventative (like I did) or when they fail.

 

the '93 is still on the table. the kind lady and her late husband bought it new. she said she is checking with her off spring, before she commits to sale. she doesn't drive it. (which probably means she forgot about it after Wednesdays bridge tournament. I was planning to remind her this weekend.) nice truck. smells of moth *****, but it has been garage kept, rust free, and 9.5 out of 10 inside and out. Texas truck, so our diabetic heavies eat all the salt before it can be added to our roads. it is definitely nice enough for me to pause my search, until she lets me know.

 

just show up with a trailer on Saturday and tell her you had a deal, she wont remember

 

funny. she had no idea of worth or asking price. she asked me what I thought I could pay. she wanted it out of her garage. pretty sure I could have driven it home that day, for whatever. I just wouldn't have ever slept again. I recommended that she ask her kids to help her decide on a number. my luck is that they will settle on 30k or something stupid when I could have probably just helped her across the street and given her a grand. Just hoping she doesn't want me to work off the transaction the same way Roy Munson pays the rent.

 

also P-38's are the same wheel base as a LWB RRC, you just have to find a good one