Which would you choose ?

[DT75FLH]

i love the excursions, and i love the cummins. how about making an excursion with a cummins in it? j/k i'm sure that's more than you want to deal with. if you plan to leave it mostly stock, i'd get the excursion.

haha way more than i would want to do....

my ideal truck would be a ford f-350 or excursion ...with a 5.9 cummins and a 6 sp allison tranny

if money were no object....

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I've owned both and drive the 7.3 currently and trust me the 7.3 is definitely no light duty engine in the slightest. It is just as heavy duty if not more than the Cummins so that is a minimal issue. The 7.3 is a little of a mechanical complexity/nightmare. I have been through injectors and all sorts of weird quirks with mine. But I know it will last just as long as a Cummins with maintenance so I put in mine like the truck had 100K even though it has 240K (and runs/drives great). Agreed the Ford in a perfect world with a Cummins but that is a PITA and "don't believe the hype" on how easy the conversion is. The Excurision is interesting and behemoth, and honestly limited in my book. I would say Ford stuck ECSB with topper, and call it quits. The bed is 6 3'4 so even freakishly tall can sleep in it just fine...

There are Excursions here in Utah all over the place and priced reasonably as well on www.ksl.com

If interested in the Cummins conversion we have a section devoted to it on my site www.4btswaps.com

 

[KEENO]

Subjects not to be discussed with new strangers.... Sex, politics, religion & Diesel Engines! I vote Cummins! :victory:

KEENO

 

[Metcalf]

I would go with the 1998 dodge if you can find one. It would have the MECHANICALLY injected 5.9 Cummins. I would try and find one with the manual transmission, but even the automatic version in the early years was not computer controlled if I remember correctly.

The mechanically injected Cummins is as dead reliable as you can get. It doesn't need any electricity to run, only to start...and stop So as long as the truck is running, you could theoretically rip the battery off, the alternator could blow up, and all the wiring could burn, but the truck would still function.

The 94-98 versions also have the inline piston injection pump. I have seen even the 160hp version of these motors make over 600hp with just a few modifications. These motors have potential!

The front axle it the weakest point. I would suggest ditching the CAD and installing 35 spline inner axle shafts and side gears ( or locker ). The outer axles are a 33 spline uni-bearing setup. You don't get hubs, but its a strong setup. You can use some junkyard ford TTB D50 stuff for a homebrew hub conversion if that is what you really want. The rear axle in the diesel should be a full floater D80 hybrid with 35 spline shafts. Personally, I would look for a later model 01.5-02 (?) rear axle with discs to swap in, it should generally be a bolt in. Big brakes are nice.

Well.....that is my vote.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Metcalf that is all correct. The 12 valve transmission is called a 47RH and is a mechanical with an electronic torque converter lockout and overdrive function. You can still get home just fine without the lockout and the OD. The late 12 valves are the 'Cummins' that delivered the reputation of 'Cummins' that we all love... They are also brilliantly simple, powerful, and reliable, with the only real complaint again being noise...

 

[theMec]

with the only real complaint again being noise...

but but but .. the noise is cool noise ;-)
Diesel guys like the noise. The families of the diesel guys are another matter. haha

 

[Metcalf]

Just get some Michelin military tires like I have on my dodge....the engine noise isn't that big of a deal

 

[ZJARCHER]

Cummins Ram.:victory:

I'm biased, but I won't drive anything else (per truck)

 

[Mike S]

7.3 f-350 CCSB pickup in the 250-350 variety. All tranny options are possible.

 

[805gregg]

Get a Dodge with an auto, why would you want to shift gears? My 2001 has 260,000 miles on stock auto. This is all towing or hauling in construction. Chevy doesn't even offer a stick any more with their diesel.

 

[DT75FLH]

Just get some Michelin military tires like I have on my dodge....the engine noise isn't that big of a deal

Trust me..Ive read your build and I love the 38's on it with little lift....thats kinda the direction I'd like to go..or at least 36-37" hummer tires...after paying 1600 for my tow truck 20"tires and finding hummer tires from 100dollar man for $100 a piece I'm looking forward to this build...

The ex was just sold so its wide open.....Ive got a neighbor wanting to buy my bronco at the end of January so well see...

 

[DT75FLH]

The front axle it the weakest point. I would suggest ditching the CAD and installing 35 spline inner axle shafts and side gears ( or locker ). The outer axles are a 33 spline uni-bearing setup. You don't get hubs, but its a strong setup. You can use some junkyard ford TTB D50 stuff for a homebrew hub conversion if that is what you really want. The rear axle in the diesel should be a full floater D80 hybrid with 35 spline shafts. Personally, I would look for a later model 01.5-02 (?) rear axle with discs to swap in, it should generally be a bolt in. Big brakes are nice.

THANKS....I did not know that....

 

[Metcalf]

The D50 TTB spindle ( re-drilled mounting pattern ) and bearing hub can be used, its basically D60 stuff. You would need a D60 outer axle shaft of the correct length also, not the D50 outer stub shaft, it uses a smaller joint. You use the stock dodge brake caliper and rotor if I remember right. The bearing hub is the long D60 style though, and will stick out pretty far with the high backspacing dodge wheels.

 

[Bella PSD]

yep...those are known issues withthe 7.3, ford came out with a tsb ref both, and they have an upgraded CPS..plus there like 80.00 so i can put a spare in the truck
everyone i know who put a spare CPS in the truck has never had to us it

you also need to keep up on the coolant additive....but thats pretty much it

The CPS is about $20-25 now. And yes, all you have to do is buy a spare and you never need it

Get a late build 7.3L Excursion and no coolant check needed. Look for a build date after 10-2001

 

[Bella PSD]

I've owned both and drive the 7.3 currently and trust me the 7.3 is definitely no light duty engine in the slightest. It is just as heavy duty if not more than the Cummins so that is a minimal issue.

I would have to agree!
And a good read here...this PDF is about the IH T444E B50 rating.
http://bellaphotographics.com/FordSuperDutyImages/International Vs Cummins.pdf

Almost forgot to vote.... Like most, I love the EX but wish it had a 6 speed. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices you listed.