92 Dodge d250 w/1st gen cummins added to fleet - Diesel Forum

flacko93 · 08-04-2005, 09:08 AM

Since we're always comparing the IDI to a Cummins, I thought I'd buy one so I could compare directly to my 93 F350 with add on Banks Turbo. I already had an 86 Dodge D150 gasser that I use as a backup work truck. I found a 1 owner 1992 Dodge D250 Club Cab with topper and a 1st generation Cummins turbo diesel (with intercooler) with 212K miles for $5500. Truck is in good shape. Good power, starts easily, new tires, brakes and exhaust. My 93 F350 dually only has 97K on it and I'm the 2nd owner. I'll keep you updated on my direct comparisons when pulling my 8000 lb work trailer. Right now the Dodge doesn't have the extra guages that I installed in my Ford. I'll do that soon. Also the Dodge doesn't have a tach which I find interesting. I'm used to watching the tach on the Ford. I don't like driving blind. BTW both trucks are automatics. Only real difference is the Dodge is a 3/4 ton non-dually compared to my Ford 1 ton dually.

At first look, I do like the accessability of the Cummins in the Dodge. Pretty wide open in there when you have to work on it compared to the Ford. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

By the way my wife's best friend from college (20 years ago) married Andy Cummins (grandson of founder)....seems like a nice guy. Maybe I can get an engine at cost if/when this thing blows! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

beretzs · 08-04-2005, 11:08 AM

Cool, those are some cool trucks. Like the older Dodges more than the newer style, and with some minor tweaking they can make some good power. Can't wait to hear the power comparisons. Scotty

PS. The mod monster could take you over with that Cummins, be careful and watch your pocket book. Scotty

agnem · 08-04-2005, 12:00 PM

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Pretty wide open in there when you have to work on it compared to the Ford.

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Yea? Pull the valve cover. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

flacko93 · 08-04-2005, 02:20 PM

Haven't got that far yet Mel. Just noticed that from a knuckle busting standpoint that the 1st gen version of the cummins/Dodge has alot of room under the hood compared to my F350. I plan on keeping both trucks for many years. I own all kinds of brands. Have an 88 Eldorado (54K miles), 2000 mercury villager (w/Nissan drivetrain), Full size 1995 Ford E150 5.0 liter van. Finally, I'm selling my 1986 Dodge D150 w/318 V8, auto, no rust, runs great, 61 K miles.

argve · 08-04-2005, 07:44 PM

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Yea? Pull the valve cover. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

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Which one??? there are 6 of them [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] The front ones are easy the rear one look like a total pain in the rear bumper [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img] But then again I don't do my own maint anymore so what do I care [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] All I do is write the check and ask "when is she going to be done?"

Scott,

Congrats man [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]

Now for comparing trucks...

I went and drove a stock 96 4x4 last weekend (thinking about getting 4x4) and boy in stock trim I was not impressed - it was like getting into a truck with a boat anchor attached to the rear compared to my current modded Goat. I felt like I was in that one Valvoline commercial (or some oil company ad on tv) with the cars dragging the anchors off ships down the road. I even went so far as to drive a stock 24v (00 2500 4x4) as well to compare - boy it could not hold a candle to the power I make now - better than the stock 12v but it was no Nanny Goat.

No worries about ripping the tires off with either one of the ones (Dodge) I drove on Saturday - the closest one in the power dept (butt-o-meter) was a 2000ish F250 4x4 with a PSD but hated the shifter pattern - felt like reverse was in my knee and low was in my crotch - the only time it felt like the shifter was over far enough was when it was in high gear (6th). But even it did not have the power that I get now - but I think it was stock [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] dealer did not know either so there may have been a little tweaking that could be done to it purdy quick.

I tried to keep all the ones I looked at the same (ext cab 4x4 with sticks) so that I would be comparing apples to apples per sa.

HiWayMan · 08-04-2005, 10:04 PM

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boy it could not hold a candle to the power I make now - better than the stock 12v but it was no Nanny Goat.

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Travis, what year is your Dodge? Al

argve · 08-05-2005, 06:25 AM

95 12v p-pumped

HiWayMan · 08-05-2005, 10:12 AM

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95 12v p-pumped

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Excellent Choice!

Al

beretzs · 08-05-2005, 10:54 AM

I second Travis's findings, my buddie has a 2001 24V 4x4 Quad Cab, and it really isn't even as fast or as strong as my truck. He is completey stock, with the exception of a 4" DP and Exhaust. I know he could put a box/injectors in it and blow my doors off, but right now STOCK, it is not as fast. HE did have his first VP44 failure a week or so ago. It was covered under warranty, but if it wasn't he would have had a 1400.00 bill.. That is why he won't upgrade it, too scared to ruin his warranty and have to pay those big repair bils. Scotty

flacko93 · 08-05-2005, 11:05 AM

I bought the Dodge to mainly use as a backup to pull my trailer. Also I can use it on jobs where I don't need my trailer and I will get better mileage than my F350 dually and much better than my dodge gasser (22 vs 13). I don't plan on modifiying it much and pulling out trees with it. Just thought I'd let you guys know that I have both an IDI and a 1st gen Cummins now. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

NateHolmes · 08-05-2005, 02:20 PM

I recently bought a 93 1st gen with 108 on the odo. 5spd the power comparet to my idi isn't even comparable blows my Ford out of the water. I do need a new injection pump but when it comes to pulling I prefer the dodge. I am going to be installing a new pump and probably injectors on the Ford here soon and we will see how that goes. Now the Ford truck wins hands down. The dodge is a piece of junk. Don't ever take the door panels off the lack of metal in there will scare you. I definitely prefer my xlt lariat Ford. Much more comfortable and the body actually has metal to it. My ford outweighs the dodge by over 500 pounds.

flacko93 · 08-09-2005, 10:41 PM

I agree that my 1993 Ford F350 XLT is more comfortable and much better looking than my newly acquired 92 Dodge D250, but the Dodge is serving me as a backup work truck. That way I can preserve the Ford for even longer since it only has 97K on it.

Took the dodge on its first job loaded with 800 lbs of equipment and a cap. Trip was 275 miles, about 95% highway driving 70 mph. 3.73 rearend. Mileage was just under 21 MPG. The F350 dually on the same trip would have done about 15.5 MPG, but it has a 4.10 rearend, weighs more, and has 2 more wheels hitting the pavement. Got to like the 21 MPG with the horrible cost of fuel! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

orangesnowmobile · 08-10-2005, 01:04 AM

not to hijack your thread, but my local station just went to $3.09 a gallon. It went from $2.68 to $2.98 overnight!!! Okay, back to your regularly scheduled thread.

beretzs · 08-10-2005, 11:31 AM

Wow, that is great mileage, hard to believe every diesel coming off the line nowadays is not getting 20+MPG. Would be alot easier to justify the cost of the big trucks. Seems like most of the older 1st Gen Cummins would get 20+MPG, maybe they need to rethink there more power and work towards better mileage, which is what diesel USED to be known for. Scotty