Opinions on Cummins 5.9 Diesel

[98ramtough]

I owned a 98 12 valve cummins put 180,000 miles on this only changing oil and fuel filters. (change fuel filter every other oil change). Never had any problems. Got 23mpg in a shortbed quad cab 4x4

I owned a 2005 chevy duramax/allison crewcab longbed that was a lemon plain and simple. I do not blame the duramax motor, my truck was just a lemon and I was pissed I spent so much money and ended up with a crappy truck. (I like Chevy's so don't flame, I just had a lemon and did not want to spend more money then I had to, so I got another dodge)

I now own a 2007 4x4 crewcab longbed with the 5.9 cummins and auto transmission. I have 82k miles on this truck and it has NEVER had a lick of problems. Change the oil every 5k miles and fuel filter every 10k. I get 21 mpg on the highway. Love this truck! I will let you know in a few years when I have 200k miles what my repair list is, but I am expecting it to be very very short!

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

I see people throwning mileage numbers out there like 170K and I just kinda have to smirk. I have a 90 1/2T chevy with a 350 that made it to 220K and then got an engine rebuild. I currently have a 01 3/4T chevy with the 6.0L that currently has close to 165K and I have no intention to do any major engine repair very soon, could happen not doubt. The cost to rebuild my gasoline engine will be half the cost to rebuild a diesel.

I do know that diesels will outlive gasoline engines, that is proven fact. The thing I do not get is why that is important for most of the population that own a truck. Most people never never run a diesel for that 300K or 500K miles, they trade them in way before that.

I think diesel pickups have their place and do a good job in that place but buying a diesel pickup because the engine will run many miles doesnt make much sense to me for us guys pulling our tractors around.

Would I love to have more low end torque when pulling my trailer and tractor? You bet! Is it worth the premium I would pay for a diesel up front and then the additional costs to repair. No way.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I see people throwning mileage numbers out there like 170K and I just kinda have to smirk. I have a 90 1/2T chevy with a 350 that made it to 220K and then got an engine rebuild. I currently have a 01 3/4T chevy with the 6.0L that currently has close to 165K and I have no intention to do any major engine repair very soon, could happen not doubt. The cost to rebuild my gasoline engine will be half the cost to rebuild a diesel.

I do know that diesels will outlive gasoline engines, that is proven fact. The thing I do not get is why that is important for most of the population that own a truck. Most people never never run a diesel for that 300K or 500K miles, they trade them in way before that.

I think diesel pickups have their place and do a good job in that place but buying a diesel pickup because the engine will run many miles doesnt make much sense to me for us guys pulling our tractors around.

Would I love to have more low end torque when pulling my trailer and tractor? You bet! Is it worth the premium I would pay for a diesel up front and then the additional costs to repair. No way.

I am one of the guys who will never keep a truck long enough to deal with major repairs. The longest I ever had a truck was 10 years, and it was a 97 7.3 Powerstroke. Like I said in the other forum the only problem was one cam postilion sensor. This truck had about 120K on it when a deer did it in.

As for owning a diesel truck, I have to have one. Tried doing a normal task 1 time with a 6.0L GM 3/4 ton and even in 4 low was not up to it, same with my 3/4 ton Dodge Hemi, 5.4L F-150, and none of them could muster up the courage to get-r-done. I need the low end torque, no matter what brand.

Chris

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

I am one of the guys who will never keep a truck long enough to deal with major repairs. The longest I ever had a truck was 10 years, and it was a 97 7.3 Powerstroke. Like I said in the other forum the only problem was one cam postilion sensor. This truck had about 120K on it when a deer did it in.

As for owning a diesel truck, I have to have one. Tried doing a normal task 1 time with a 6.0L GM 3/4 ton and even in 4 low was not up to it, same with my 3/4 ton Dodge Hemi, 5.4L F-150, and none of them could muster up the courage to get-r-done. I need the low end torque, no matter what brand.

Chris

Makes great sense, you have a tried and true need and I respect that. You hit the nail on the head though, it wouldn't make sense to buy one for the reason that the enigine will go many miles.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

I see people throwning mileage numbers out there like 170K and I just kinda have to smirk.

Not saying that those are high miles by any means - they aren't, and 170k is not impressive for a diesel - but I do think that theres something to be said for an engine that runs for those kind of miles with zero issues.

When i did the automatic to manual conversion on my 3500 I bought a 1996 2500 that had the NV4500 5spd that I wanted out of it. It had 289k miles on it and started and ran like it was brand new. From looking over the engine it looked like no major work had been done to it, and it was used as a work truck so I'm sure it was worked hard. With the exception of an oil leak (KDP didn't get it, but I think the timing cover gasket was leaking) there was not a thing wrong with that engine. The transmission is now in my 3500 with about 10k on it since I did the swap. All I did was change the fluid and put in a South Bend clutch and its been working flawlessly. I parted out the rest of the truck and a guy is going to put the engine into his old Crew Cab Dodge gasser.

 

[boxygen]

A 5.9 mated with a manual transmission is about the best setup I could think of. I used to work with a guy who had a 94 dodge with a cummins that had over 320k miles on it and that was two years ago. I dont work with him anymore but i saw him driving it the other day. He hit a moose with the truck and he still didnt want to part with it after the insurance claim so he patched up the body.
Nobody has mentioned the best thing about the 5.9 though...the belligerent sound it makes, even when idling! Gas or diesel, I like loud trucks, and nothing compares to the 5.9.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Gas or diesel, I like loud trucks, and nothing compares to the 5.9.

You said that right. They sound like as they put them together there is extra parts and they just throw them in.

Chris

 

[mlauk]

Great trucks, I've got a 2003 2500 Dodge Cummins HO with 6 speed. 105k and running strong. Repairs included:

Warranty work to replace board for keyless entry shortly after I got it.

Brake lamp burned out 2 different times.
Replaced reverse switch.
Replaced rear drive shaft ujoint.
Replaced rear window switch.

I've done all the repairs myself for easily under $200, except for warranty work for the keyless entry fixed by the dealer.

 

[shakin]

99 24valve 3500 dually 198000 miles bought used not sure about repairs but i doubt there was many. transmission has a different torque converter and a shift kit installed it will pull a house. truck is solid still has stickers and paint on the frame it was from georgia. the first maine winter it saw was last year. the bottoms of the doors need attention before it gets ugly you can see rust color showing on the oaint in spots. other than that fuel it and go.

 

[coobie]

Ok...we heard about the fords, now lets have some opinions on Dodges, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation motors. I own one.

I have a 3 gen 5.9 cummins in my 2004 dodge 2500 series truck.The motor has been fine,the truck itself has had a few problems with u-joints failing at 30,000 miles and front axle shaft at 69,000 miles all were covered under warrenty.coobie