Diesel gurus, 5.9l 12v Cummins

[Night goat]

yeah keep it stock, find an industrial/agricultural oil like 76 power-D that has the zinc and phosporus and the stuff delo got rid of, upgrade the exhaust, run fleetguard blue coolant, and enjoy a workhorse truck that will run forever.

these guys are right about not monkeying with it.

im a marine diesel mechanic, and know the 6b, 6bt, 6bta and all configurations of the marine aplication up to 330hp, and regard it as a bulletproof platform, the trucks are no exception, transmission is always the weakest point on the dodge.

a turbo shortens a life of an engine by 15%, a chip, id assume another 15%, treat it nice and it will do what you need
 

[Mudman]

Bah humbug.  Good quality cooling turbo n intake (off a 98 dodge maybe).  The old 12v fuel spring mod pin and exhaust air filter.  Good to go. 225-275hp and 500tq.  Gauges. Will run till truck falls apart and still use crap old oil for fuel if ya like.  Check the killer dowel pin also.  Read this.  1500$                                                                         http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/1001dp-1989-to-1993-dodge-ram-power-recipes/but you can do it cheaper.

[2labs]

I'm day dreaming a little bit here, but since I've never been an expert in mechanics I'm put this up for discussion.

My dad was given a 91' dodge 2500 a few years ago, as it sits it has about 100,000 miles on it. It was well taken care and the vast majority of those miles were on I-84 between LaGrande and Boise. He's not overly fond of this truck, preferring his 2015 Chevy, and it's what I normally nab the keys for when I'm over there and want to take the mules some where towing a horse trailer.

Would this be a pickup worth potentially trying to talk him out of? Would it be terribly expensive to upgrade parts (all are still original factory) to where a guy doesn't get a cramp in his leg from pegging the gas pedal to the floor trying make the speed limit on the freeway? Educate me gents.   

Brother, that might be the " holy grail" of trucks?

[Miles]

Talk him out of the 2015 Chevy.  You'll be much happier. 

[brush hunter]

First off is it a '91 or a '91.5?  Gauges and 4" exhaust is what you want, slightly bigger injectors, twins and a bigger fuel pin. also you want to have the KDP taken care of.

[BUTTER]

I had a 93 first gen. Was a beautiful truck. Just a few things to know they ride worst Than anything you have ever drove in. The automatic will highly disappoint you with it's towing power. The paint on these trucks like to chip. The head bolts that are stock are the weak link lots of heads get blown with out upgraded head bolts. The brakes on these trucks are not very good you will go through lots of brakes with heavy loads. But if this truck has 100k miles and is an extended cab low miles if you can buy for the right price you will not lose much money these trucks are very highly soubt after. I sold mine over the phone in ten hrs for way more than I bought it and the guy never even came and seen the pickup

[theleo]

First off is it a '91 or a '91.5?  Gauges and 4" exhaust is what you want, slightly bigger injectors, twins and a bigger fuel pin. also you want to have the KDP taken care of.

Can't say as I know the difference between a 91 and 91.5.

I had a 93 first gen. Was a beautiful truck. Just a few things to know they ride worst Than anything you have ever drove in. The automatic will highly disappoint you with it's towing power. The paint on these trucks like to chip. The head bolts that are stock are the weak link lots of heads get blown with out upgraded head bolts. The brakes on these trucks are not very good you will go through lots of brakes with heavy loads. But if this truck has 100k miles and is an extended cab low miles if you can buy for the right price you will not lose much money these trucks are very highly soubt after. I sold mine over the phone in ten hrs for way more than I bought it and the guy never even came and seen the pickup

Yeah, it's a ruff riding SOB but I'm young, so my butt can stand the bouncing around on a bench seat for a few more years.

[KFhunter]

You can get custom leaf springs that will smooth out that ride and airbag it for loads.

[brush hunter]

First off is it a '91 or a '91.5?  Gauges and 4" exhaust is what you want, slightly bigger injectors, twins and a bigger fuel pin. also you want to have the KDP taken care of.

Can't say as I know the difference between a 91 and 91.5.

I had a 93 first gen. Was a beautiful truck. Just a few things to know they ride worst Than anything you have ever drove in. The automatic will highly disappoint you with it's towing power. The paint on these trucks like to chip. The head bolts that are stock are the weak link lots of heads get blown with out upgraded head bolts. The brakes on these trucks are not very good you will go through lots of brakes with heavy loads. But if this truck has 100k miles and is an extended cab low miles if you can buy for the right price you will not lose much money these trucks are very highly soubt after. I sold mine over the phone in ten hrs for way more than I bought it and the guy never even came and seen the pickup

Yeah, it's a ruff riding SOB but I'm young, so my butt can stand the bouncing around on a bench seat for a few more years.

'91.5 is the when they started putting intercoolers on the truck.

[BUTTER]

Another plus side is if this trucks in good shape you will get a bunch of compliments. Guys love the first gen and is why they still go for alot of money

[Special T]

Don't pay any attention to the haters or nay sayers. That rig is what lots of diesel guys are after. Joint a DODGE Cummins  forum and read up on all the best bang for the buck upgrades you can do and enjoy!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[brush hunter]

Don't pay any attention to the haters or nay sayers. That rig is what lots of diesel guys are after. Joint a DODGE Cummins  forum and read up on all the best bang for the buck upgrades you can do and enjoy!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I bought mine new and still have it and love to drive it, it needs paint but is still running strong.

[Mudman]

"Theleo" have you researched the mods and cost and truck yet?  What ya thinking?  I advise not letting it slip away..

[theleo]

"Theleo" have you researched the mods and cost and truck yet?  What ya thinking?  I advise not letting it slip away..

The truck isn't going anywhere anytime soon. From what I've looked into I'd likely do the exhaust and have an intercooler put in it. I'm likely going to nab the truck and have those done regardless. Like I said my dads not attached to it, so he won't say anything if I put some money into it for some minor upgrades to make it a better towing rig. 

[Mudman]

Sweet.  Intercoolers are big $.  Hit up wrecking yards.  A 6.0 ford is a good big one, I used to have one but sold it.  The Killer dowel pin, 3200k rpm mod and fuel screw and exhaust would be my list. A BAF big ass air filter from NAPA 6637 is perfect.  If you did these mods I think you would be 500+torque and close to 300hp.  HUGE improvement.  $1000 would more than do it minus intercooler that's a variable.