Diesel Tow Rigs. Cummins owners here?

[Vtec?lol]

I haven't tinkered with e30's since I found my new diesel obsession. I'm curious to know if anyone here is into modding them?

I am biting the bullet and getting rid of my electronically controlled 7.3 powerstroke. I've put nearly 150k on it since I bought it and it's been a pleasure until now. It's time for a full rebuild/replacement and I just cant justify putting another HEUI unit in there. I now have fallen in love with cummins. Something about an all mechanical motor that doesn't need sh!t ever. I bought an early 5.9 to swap in but now I'm considering buying a truck with a cummins in it already.

Anyone else here into diesels?

[mrsleeve]

5.9 Cummins is a great power plant, the shipping crate they are installed in (especially the 12v) is fucking junk. I know many guys swear by a dodge, yes you can crank the boost and fuel pressure till your hearts content on a 12v 5.9, and not have to worry too much about the engine, its just the rest of the truck you will always be fixing something. They ride like shit, steer and handle like shit even for a big ass truck, and need about 500lbs of sound deadening on installed in the cab especially if you turn up the fuel pressure. Oh and make sure you get a 5spd as the auto in a dodge has a lot to be desired.

Personally I have a LLY duramax, and have for the last 10 years or so..... Other than having to throw a set of injectors in it, thanks to a water contaminated tank of fuel, I have not had to do a thing to it other than regular maintenance. Though its getting due for a suspension, bushing, and front end refresh, and I have an occasional slight stumble on warm idle which is most likely the FPR starting to leak off a little bit. Its been the best vehical I have owned long term, its only got 100k on it but I have a bad habit based on my construction/farm back ground I let it run once its fired up, so its got 3600 hours LOL

[flyboyx]

I still have my 99 f350. Good power stroke engine. Good truck. I'm well over 300k on the clock. Did the transmission fixes. Have redone the suspension. Otherwise standard maint.

My dream truck is to one day get a mercedes unimog and swap in a modern diesel drivetrain. Maybe 20 ton military axles.......

[nomansland92]

I have a 07 duramax for pulling the bikes and quads, it's all stock and hopefully staying that way haha, but so far been a great truck.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[flyboyx]

i'm just going to leave this here....

unimog 406

[flyboyx]

unimog 406 with doka cab

[flyboyx]

unimog 416 with doka cab. note the longer chassis.

[flyboyx]

imagine this 416 below with a custom made camper on the back. i would make it modular so the camper can be removed and the box put back on.

these things in stock form are really slow. about 50mph and usually about 120 hp. almost a 7:1 final drive ratio. i want a cummins turbo six, auto trans, and 20 ton military axles under it so it can be driven at highway speeds.

[MR 325]

It's true, the Dodge truck itself is bleh but the Cummins makes it all worth it. The 3rd gen trucks are a hell of a lot nicer than the 2nd gen though. BimmerHeads has a 2003 2500 Dodge Cummins with a 6 speed. Amazing truck! It drives very well too.

[BoostinEuros]

I have a lot of experience with the old 12v Cummins. My Dad and I both have them in our 2nd gen Ram 3500's. I've owned my '97 for about 2 years and my Dad has had his '95 for 15 years. 700k+ combined miles.

I love the clatter of the 12v. You can tell who the truck guys are around town because they always whip their head around to the familiar 12v sound on start up ;)

I haven't done much in the way of performance since I'm still restoring other aspects of the truck, but it's still an awesome truck to own. I have a 97' that has a few of the better options. (Long bed, ext cab, all electric, 3.55 diff ratio for 20+mpg, and the "updated" auto trans which hasn't given me a problem.) I'll likely do an OEM power pack turbo upgrade, 4" diamond eye exhaust, and a small fuel mod and call it good. The truck's performance really isn't bad in stock form.

This truck does it all and it is a workhorse....I really don't see myself owning another truck anytime in the near future....Except maybe a 4th gen ram 2500 6.7 Cummins 4x4 in a few years....Now those trucks are in a league of their own.

[Vtec?lol]

Mrsleeve, You're absolutely right lol. I've got just about everything together to drop the cummins in. I'm pretty excited but it's no where as loud as my 7.3. I also used to drive an LBz duramax. One of the most impressive modern diesels I've driven. All that power put through an allison. It handles 25k daily without much issue at all.

Flyboy, I love that rig of yours. Can't go wrong with the 99's. Supposedly the best year of the 7.3 with the updated 4r100. I'm also obsessed with Mog's. I've been looking for a 416 to drop a modern drivetrain into however the price of them stopped me. One day when I'm retired and have more money to piss away i'll hop on one.

Boostin, I'm jelly of your 97. One of my favorite body styles of trucks ever. Ext cab long bed 4x4 with a mild lift and level. Pure sex. Post pics when you can.

Mr 325, you've got a good rig. Truck should last you a lifetime.

[James Crivellone]

My setup attached

2002 6 Speed 3500 Cummins, Tuned, Banks Exhaust/Exhaust Brake, and a South Bend clutch

Tows my 32 foot Vantage two car trailer (usually with 2 PRO3 e30's in it) without any issue.

Next step are bags in the rear to keep some weight off the front tires on the trailer, although it does fine with that setup as is.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

^ jealous

[MR E30 325is]

^^ Very very jealous

Been using a 2001 V8 Tundra as a tow rig for a while now, and I can only imagine how much better it would be towing cars with a diesel!

[Nesset]

Dad has a 06' 3500 with the ol 24 valve.

Pulled my 2002 home from Seattle which is about 70 miles. Got 22mpg and the truck never broke a sweat.

Girlfriend's father has a new new one and pulled a car trailer and camper to California from Washington. Afaik it was getting similar numbers. Maybe 20. But that's a 30 foot car trailer with a car in it and a camper on the bed. Pretty god damn impressive motors to say the least.

The dodge trucks are meh. But the motor easily makes it worth the money.