Dodge Cummins Engine Concern

[Furu]

This forum is starting to sound and act like forestry forum. Everything eventually circles back around to food; and Grits is a very often mentioned substance. Some would say it is mistaken for food others would say it is the epitome of haute cuisine.

I like EA's definition of GRITS myself but I am an old guy.

 

[dodge man]

To answer a couple of questions. I don't think the 5.9 was ever detuned for a manual transmission, that's a newer thing on the 6.7's. Someone also brought up the dowel problem, also known a KDP(killer dowel pin). This was a problem on the earlier, non common rail Cummins. I assume at some point the dowel pin design wasn't needed and is no longer a problem.

 

[PapaPerk]

Wonder how much the SRW and short bed effect that? Probably sheds 800+/- pounds.

And how may tires on that 10k?

When I load my tractor on the older car-hauler bumper pull, thats ~8800lbs total. And only singles for tires, so half as much rubber to drag around. That gets me 14ish

4 tires on my trailer.

For some reason not all trucks get the same mileage. I ordered a truck identical to mine. It got around 15 mpg! It had engine software issues. So they ordered another (the one I have now). I drove the original truck again after it was reflashed. It's mileage improved some but nothing like my truck.

I'll keep my truck forever. The new ones have too much power and burn too much fuel. Unless you are pulling 20,000 lbs a pick up doesn't need 800 ft*lbs of torque.

I know guys that have modified trucks like mine... Then proceed to destroy the drivetrain, etc, etc. 600 ft lbs and 305 hp is plenty for me!

 

[deerefan]

Grits it made from corn, no? You could possibly create biodiesel from it.

I stand corrected! Can someone explain the dowel pin issue? I have never owned a cummins, not familiar with this.

 

[Capricious]

I stand corrected! Can someone explain the dowel pin issue? I have never owned a cummins, not familiar with this.

1997 Dodge Ram KDP - Diesel Power Magazine


EDITED TO ADD: While on the subject of cummins defects, there is, of course, the cracking "53" block:

Cummins # 53 Block Casting | Identification, History, & Repair



(Not to imply that other manufacturers of diesels have stellar reputations; the last "good" diesel engine was the Detroit 71)

 

[JerryK]

Something to be said for the older Dodge Cummins owners.. One non-rusty 2002 H.O.Cummins 6 speed, Dana 80 3.54 posi, Snow plow package [ H.D. xfer case and uprated front springs ], carpet delete [ full length vinyl floor ], Ford clearance lights, tow package, camper special group, still has the original factory batteries [ grid heater unhooked ], and been paid for back in 2001 since I picked her up at the dealership.... [ needs a good warsh, though.... ]

 

[dodge man]

KDP and the 53 block are known Cummins issue and while not common, do occur. They are all problems on older Cummins and have nothing to do with the truck the OP is looking at.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Something to be said for the older Dodge Cummins owners.. One non-rusty 2002 H.O.Cummins 6 speed, Dana 80 3.54 posi, Snow plow package [ H.D. xfer case and uprated front springs ], carpet delete [ full length vinyl floor ], Ford clearance lights, tow package, camper special group, still has the original factory batteries [ grid heater unhooked ], and been paid for back in 2001 since I picked her up at the dealership.... [ needs a good warsh, though.... ]

Original batteries? I'm luck to get 4 years out of a battery.

Chris

 

[Capricious]

".. I'm luck to get 4 years out of a battery...."



I don't even try to get more than 4 years or so out of a battery.

Especially in the wife's car.

I don't want any winter night telephone calls. Especially when I am having my grits. With salt.

I do hang onto the "take-outs," however. The battery that just came out of the wife's car a month ago will probably end up in the tractor. I always have a couple of junker batteries around that I can use for "cores."

 

[JerryK]

Yup, still have the two big honkin' batteries that came with it.... going on 13 years. One thing that helps them is that it fires right up without any cranking time and I unhooked the two grid heaters about five years ago. I also coated the terminals with wax right at the get go.... [ knocking on wood here ]... Someday, I will find out just how much BIG batteries cost, but hopefully not this year....

 

[dodge man]

They lasted about 10 years in my 2004 Cummins.

 

[PapaPerk]

They lasted about 10 years in my 2004 Cummins.

Me too. And they weren't dead yet.

 

[Capricious]

Interesting reading on Dodge/Cummins:


http://www.genosgarage.com/GenosGarageTechArticles/GenosGarageWWWMT.pdf

 

[RobertN]

when I cook them up, I add fried sausage, and shredded pepper jack cheese. Yum...!

"..You put sugar on grits,not salt...."

YOU might. I don't.

No milk, either.

 

[deerefan]

After reading through the posts, something came to mind. The cummins was the first real eco-boost. 6 cylinders, turbo charger, 20+ mpg, good power. Ford should be sued for copying Dodge. Just kidding, picking with the Ford guys.

 

[deerefan]

when I cook them up, I add fried sausage, and shredded pepper jack cheese. Yum...!

Yes indeed- I like cheddar in mine too. Off to the kitchen....this thread is going to make me fat and broke- I want grits and a cummins now.

 

[Wnc3]

They lasted about 10 years in my 2004 Cummins.

I own a Dodge like the OP is looking at....overall great truck.

On the battery subject, I am convinced that heat kills batteries faster than cold.
For me, the most we get is 3 years. Only exception was a Toyota FJ40 that lasted 7 years.

 

[dodge man]

It's true, heat does kill batteries, then it shows up in the winter when you get a loss of power due to the cold.

 

[MossRoad]

Moss, you would have liked my 1966 Chrysler 300!

I should have clarified that I dislike "modern" Chrysler products..... say, about 1980 and newer.

 

[MossRoad]

My 2004.5 4x4 3500 Dodge will get 22 - 23 mpg on highway at 64 mph. I've gone over 600 miles on tank of fuel.

Not impressed. I've gone 750 in my '93 gas Suburban 4x4. Of course, 42 gallon tank cost $150 to fill! :laughing: