Author Topic: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!  (Read 1080 times)

Offline NCtrueconservative

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New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« on: August 22, 2013 - 08:43:57 PM »
Well, finally got my hands on a Cummins.  I'd wanted one of these since I was real little, nothing like the sound of em.  Dad has a Common Rail, and there was no way I could afford that, or for that matter afford a decent used one.  Then my buddy was wanting to get rid of this truck.  It's a 95 12 valve, and just has had the motor rebuilt (killer dowel pin got it).  The KDP has been fixed, and it has a new 350 hp SouthBend Clutch in it.  Cummins and a 5 speed, you can't beat it! I drove it home without power steering, because it needs a new pump and the seal between it and the vacuum pump leaks.  Talk about a tough job while trying to shift and steer those big 285's hahaha.  But the thing runs strong, and shifts good.  Puts a smile on my face everytime I start it up  :bigsmile:.  Gonna slap a new power steering pump and seals on it, give it an Electric Blue paint job, fix a few odds and ends and drive it for another 300k. And no, I won't be modding it like 95% of those teenagers out there who just wanna "roll coal" in the truck daddy and mommy bought em haha.  Although, this 12 valve has the fuel plate taken out and blows smoke everywhere when lugging it.  Either gonna put another less severe fuel plate in it, or do a nicely done stack.   Doesn't have any rust in the frame.  One spot on the lower door is the only rust in the body.  The rest is solid, except for a dent here and there.  The best part- I don't wanna say exactly how much I paid for it, but lets just say it was LESS THAN 3000 bucks! My buddy wanted it gone, and he knew it would go to a good home, so he said he'd rather me have it than any one else.  Plus with ZERO miles on the motor and new clutch, heck I thought I gotta pretty dang good deal.  Couldn't be happier.  And these old 12 valves are easy to work on.  Worked on it all this week after college and work, and everything is simple to understand, easy to get to, and there's plenty of literature if you don't know how.  Got the power steering pump and vacuum pump off and took apart in about an hour and a half, and it only took that long cause I had to walk a ways to my toolbox haha. Here's the pics.  I have the front bumper for it, just gotta put it on.
1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye (pictured), 340, Slap Stick

1998 Dodge Ram, 5.2, Black, tinted windows, dual exhaust, blackout headlights, tailights




Offline Skunkworks Challenger

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2013 - 09:00:53 PM »
Congratulations on the truck-- you'll love it.  Those 12 valve engines are very dependable.  I have a 97 with 196,000 on it and it's been trouble free.  If you haven't visited  or joined the turbodiesel register web site you should.  There is more information than you will ever need.  It i at www.turbodieselregister.com.  PK
The Brewmaster

Offline RCCDrew

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2013 - 09:31:57 PM »
Wow! Nice dash! I just paid 4k for this one.

Offline NCtrueconservative

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2013 - 09:59:54 PM »
Nice dude!! Is that a 24 valve or an early 98 12 valve? Sweet deal either way!
1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye (pictured), 340, Slap Stick

1998 Dodge Ram, 5.2, Black, tinted windows, dual exhaust, blackout headlights, tailights

Offline Haddixj

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2013 - 10:22:14 PM »
Got the first part done. Now find a ford and swap the engine and trans into it and you will be set. Those trucks are expensive to keep on the road with the quirks of a dodge.

Offline cuda

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2013 - 10:27:15 PM »
Congrats on the Cummins...they are awesome. I recently bought a 2012 and love it.  :burnout:

Offline NCtrueconservative

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2013 - 11:08:34 PM »
Got the first part done. Now find a ford and swap the engine and trans into it and you will be set. Those trucks are expensive to keep on the road with the quirks of a dodge.

Nah, think I'll keep the body.  I like the looks of these 90s dodges.  Aint the prettiest things on the inside, and the steering ain't the best, but hey, its a truck, and I've always been a Dodge man  :ylsuper:
1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye (pictured), 340, Slap Stick

1998 Dodge Ram, 5.2, Black, tinted windows, dual exhaust, blackout headlights, tailights

Offline NCtrueconservative

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2013 - 11:12:16 PM »
Congrats on the Cummins...they are awesome. I recently bought a 2012 and love it.  :burnout:

Thank you!!! Can't wait to get it looking better and back on the road. Hopefully I can keep my foot out of it and get some decent gas mileage haha.  Enjoy that 2012!!!
1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye (pictured), 340, Slap Stick

1998 Dodge Ram, 5.2, Black, tinted windows, dual exhaust, blackout headlights, tailights

Offline all4rocks

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2013 - 01:10:18 AM »
I love mine! 150K and NO problems.

Offline Skunkworks Challenger

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2013 - 05:48:59 PM »
Quote
Got the first part done. Now find a ford and swap the engine and trans into it and you will be set. Those trucks are expensive to keep on the road with the quirks of a dodge.

I've owned my 97 Dodge Ram since new (over 16 years).  I'll start watching out for the "quirks".  So far  none!
The Brewmaster

Offline Haddixj

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2013 - 08:23:13 PM »
Is it 4wd? My donor truck (wasn't a donor to start with) had the front suspension issues that are common(track bar, unit bearings, ball joints, which the ford doesn't have just king pins) the ac was out, engine would heat up going up a grade towing heavy, and the drivers door hinge was cracking and the door was getting ready to fall off. The truck had been cared for only 160k miles on it. So for the amount I would spend in repairs I bought a 90 f350 and killed my dodge. Took the engine trans and intercooler and sold the rest. Not saying that's what everyone should do but to me it made sense and I was bored at home and in between projects.

Offline Skunkworks Challenger

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2013 - 10:16:40 PM »
Wow Haddixj where did you find that thing?  I couldn't begin to explain why all the problems (quirks).  Mine is a 97 turbo-diesel,  2500 SLT 4x4 extended cab with automatic.  Cab wise my only "quirk" in 197,000 miles and 16+ years is I replaced the left front headlight and right rear taillight.  It has no squeaks or rattles and nothing has been adjusted.  The air is as cold as ever.  On the suspension and mechanical  I replaced the ball joints and brakes at 150,000 miles.  The track bar and steering is still tight and the automatic transmission has never been touched. 
Why would your engine heat up while towing in a Dodge but not a Ford?  I don't know much about Fords but I thought they had ball joints as well.  When I bought my ball joints, from NAPA they came with instructions on how to install in a Ford.  Both Dodge and Ford used Dana axles for a long time. 
The Brewmaster

Offline Haddixj

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2013 - 11:07:01 PM »
Ford uses a kingpin dana until 92 which is the strongest version of it. The ball joint 60 is fine just has parts to wear out. No unit bearings either which usually go out at 120k miles and is a violent thing to have happen. That is why for the newer trucks they make conversion kits to use regur wheel bearings. My trucks also have 35" tires on it as well so that accelarates the failure quicker. But for me my truck had 4.1 so without it it was a slow go on the freeway.
I also knew I was going to be having kids so for me a real crew cab is nice. If I didn't live in ca with diesel smog I would put my motor into a newer super duty. For me nothing beats ford in quality of the trucks themselves. Their motors on the other hand are awful except the 7.3 

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #13 on: August 24, 2013 - 12:13:57 AM »
I have had 4 , love them , highest milage so far is 880,000 miles  awesome engines !!
 Congrats yours has the Best injection pump of all the years IMO

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Offline RCCDrew

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Re: New (to me) truck. CUMMINS!
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2013 - 12:55:13 AM »

Ford uses a kingpin dana until 92 which is the strongest version of it. The ball joint 60 is fine just has parts to wear out. No unit bearings either which usually go out at 120k miles and is a violent thing to have happen. That is why for the newer trucks they make conversion kits to use regur wheel bearings. My trucks also have 35" tires on it as well so that accelarates the failure quicker. But for me my truck had 4.1 so without it it was a slow go on the freeway.
I also knew I was going to be having kids so for me a real crew cab is nice. If I didn't live in ca with diesel smog I would put my motor into a newer super duty. For me nothing beats ford in quality of the trucks themselves. Their motors on the other hand are awful except the 7.3

Uh, Dodge had the kingpin front axle until 94. Ford had a Dana 50 which is junk compared to a Dana 60. There are replacement kits for the junk Ford hub setups as well. The 7.3 Stroke is a dog and the 6.0 is a time bomb unless you spend thousands to fix or delete the egr.

The worst part about the Dodge is the dash. I can't stand them. If its not broken, it will be.