Opinions on Cummins 5.9 Diesel

[QRTRHRS]

No doubt, my friend. I just thought it worth mentioning that Dodge/Cummins trucks are nice under the hood, but they have other issues in the remaining parts of the truck the other 2 don't seem to have. They cost money to fix, too.

Unforunately, there's no perfect truck. Ford-engines are weak, Dodge-quality issues, GM-HD suspension is lagging behind Ford.

It's really pathetic that none of their truck engineers will read these baords and upgrade some of their weaknesses. GM would seem to be a real easy fix. All it would take is a Dana front axle. Probably save quite a bit of money for customers, too.



True because there's so much less moving parts. Hey, I'm a 6-banger guy too. I have a DTA-466 and I know how you feel about simple 6 cylinder diesels. They have a tourqey feeling when they're pulling that you can't appreciate until you drive one.

You will not get any argument from me about Dodge quality. Another peeve is the lack of manual lockout hubs on the front axle. In addition to the track bar issue which I fixed with Luke's Link, mine eats tires and tie rod ends. My driver's door is all cracked around the latch area, the interior panel is loose, trim long gone. The last time the headlight switch burned up, it wiped out the wiring harness plugs to it. This was before the aftermarket switch with relay was around. I fabbed up some relays and micro switches and now I can select interior or rear cab work light or both as desired. Ratty or not, it still runs and that is all I need.

I agree, the DT is a good engine. And, you are correct, I like a six cylinder diesel over a V8. I do wax nostalgic over one V design though. Always liked that 2 cycle V-12 Detroit. Sucked fuel like a pig especially with the big injectors but in their day, they could run.

 

[WantedWolf]

. My driver's door is all cracked around the latch area, the interior panel is loose, trim long gone.


.

I have the same issue, but yours is the first other case I have heard of.
guess its more of a weak link then just P.O. abuse

 

[RobertN]

You will not get any argument from me about Dodge quality.

My '01 has done well. Biggest complaint, is the driver seat bottom is sagged(I think it is just the foam). Otherwise, the truck has been flawless from 5 miles on the odometer when I got it, to 115k on it now.

I got it with 4:10 gears too. It does not need it for my use; wish I had 3:73's.

 

[QRTRHRS]

To be fair and I have mentioned this on other threads, my 97' was in heavy road salt up until about 15 months ago. Pretty much, I wash my truck once maybe twice a year if it needs it, ha. I have a few rust spots but nothing major. My floor pan is still good in spite of the carpet having been wet numberous times (another trait).

I have a friend who's 07' or 08' (forget which year exactly) 2500 needed a front axle U-joint at 40k. I never bothered to add the aftermarket switch that allows you to use low range without the vacuum activated front axle engage working. My front axle U-joints are original and still tight and I use low range regularly around the farm.

I have been running 370 injectors with a number eleven fuel plate for maybe 160k. No real oil consumption save for number two front crank seal leaking.

At the same time I lost fifth gear due to the earlier shaft design, I was also having syncro problems but had been running other than the specified synthetic. By the way, the specified is very expensive. I think I paid around 55/qt the last time. I won't get into what I had switched to. So, I just swapped my core in for a rebuilt to save time.

Never an issue with either rear or the transfer and my truck has been worked fairly hard.

U joints done once except for the rear, three times there. Two carrier bearing replacements. Three track bars until I went to Luke's Link. One set of brakes on the rear, one rotor change up front, two caliper changes, three sets of front linings (open road use with an exhaust brake helps there). Numerous tie rod ends. One battery change to Optima's six years ago. One exhaust change to a four inch which needs a tail pipe but everything else is still good.

Upgraded the intercooler hoses to stop blowing the one off at the turbo. Master cylinder, clutch of course, clutch slave. Shutoff selenoid from when my starter stuck. Note to self, time to do those brushes again.

Couple of headlight switches until I made my own after it toasted my harness plugs.

Guess thats about it. Not to bad overall at 227k all things considered.

 

[Groo]

the 12v Cummins is the best Diesel ever made if tweaked a little bit.

 

[SPYDERLK]

the truck has been flawless from 5 miles on the odometer when I got it, to 115k on it now.

I got it with 4:10 gears too. It does not need it for my use; wish I had 3:73's.

Ill second that.... Our problem too. With that much torque you dont need the extra gear reduction even pulling a gooseneck. I would sure welcome the mpg benefit of the 3.73.
larry

 

[Builder]

Ill second that.... Our problem too. With that much torque you dont need the extra gear reduction even pulling a gooseneck. I would sure welcome the mpg benefit of the 3.73.
larry

That's why I think my GMC is perfect with 3.73's in the G-80 rear. I have 650 ft lbs stock, why in the world would I want 4.10's with that much torque? All it would do is waste fuel.

If you ever had to pull out a stuck truck, big haywagon, big boat up a ramp, etc. you always have low range (if you have 4x4)

 

[RobertN]

That's why I think my GMC is perfect with 3.73's in the G-80 rear. I have 650 ft lbs stock, why in the world would I want 4.10's with that much torque? All it would do is waste fuel.

Well, sometimes hindsight is 20/20

My previous F25 had a 351, manual. It had 3.50 gearing; I put a little taller tires on, and dropped it to 4:11. Was nice towing the horse trailer, or the 11' cab over camper. So, when I got this truck, I went for the same.

Got $1k I could borrow for a couple ring and pinions, and installation I think I could change the ring/pinion only; I think 3.73 ring gears will fit the same carrier as 4.10's.

 

[Builder]

I think the only one of the 3 full size diesels that might need the 4.10 when towing heavy is the Ford since it makes the least torque down low. You need to get up in the RPM band more before the tq comes on with the 6L & 6.4L.

IMO, that's why I think GM & Dodge report higher fuel economy ratings, too.

I could easily get the job done with 3.55's.

 

[DieselPower]

the 12v Cummins is the best Diesel ever made if tweaked a little bit.

That's a pretty broad statement. There have been numerous "diesels" over the years and the 5.9 is by no means the "best". You can barely get 1,400 HP out of it with out twisting the block in half much less contain over 100 pounds of boost. There are much stronger engines out there for the performance minded.