Dodge diesel guys... Input please!

[Regcabguy]

Bumpy ride???? Did you see what I am selling?:sombrero:

I've driven into a Baja surfspot with decent roads in a '90 F-350 4wd Supercab. Stock suspension with a 400# shell on the back. I've felt your pain. We might of got up to 15 mph. Sucker squeeked and rattled all the way in and out of there also.

 

[HMalice]

I've racked up ~10k on mine over the last few months since I got it and love it. The ideal drivetrain (for me) would be a 96-98 manual with a 5spd with 49 state emissions. This combo is good for 215hp. IIRC, 94-95 has a 160hp pump, 96-98 automatics and CA trucks got a 180hp pump and the 96-98 manual 49 state trucks have the sweet 215hp pump. Avoid a CA emissions truck if possible, they have an EGR system and a restricted intake manifold that can both be deleted but if you can avoid it from the start that is always easier. I've been doing this myself lately. :|

Overall slightly sluggish but dead reliable. Removing the plugged up cat and stock exhaust will help the fuel economy.

 

[Regcabguy]

I've racked up ~10k on mine over the last few months since I got it and love it. The ideal drivetrain (for me) would be a 96-98 manual with a 5spd with 49 state emissions. This combo is good for 215hp. IIRC, 94-95 has a 160hp pump, 96-98 automatics and CA trucks got a 180hp pump and the 96-98 manual 49 state trucks have the sweet 215hp pump. Avoid a CA emissions truck if possible, they have an EGR system and a restricted intake manifold that can both be deleted but if you can avoid it from the start that is always easier. I've been doing this myself lately. :|

Overall slightly sluggish but dead reliable. Removing the plugged up cat and stock exhaust will help the fuel economy.

PM me for the name of a great certified Cummins tech who works out of his house. The guy loves and owns 12 valves. He's meticulous and reasonable. He's in east San Diego.

 

[jesusgatos]

I've heard that the ultimate setup is a 12-valve mechanical engine with a 24-valve head swapped onto it. Don't know much about what that conversion entails though.

 

[redthies]

I'm looking at a fairly clean 94 reg cab that is Oregon and Washington owned. It is a good price and all is redone except motor. The guy regularly drives it out to Montana so it gets "exercised" a lot. More importantly, I've got two guys fighting over the F350. Guess I shoulda left it priced $1000 higher! Oh well, a good truck to good people helps the karma with my new one I hope!

 

[DT75FLH]

Thats a nice 350.

heres my 12V ..242,000 miles, 4" full exhaust, 40hp injectors. gets 17.6 mpg with the cruise set at 75mph.

gotta love it.

also painted the rims ala 1speed

 

[redthies]

Yeah, I do still love the 350, but cash is king they say...:sombrero: And, the 350 is finished, so not much tinkering for me. I'm sure the prospective diesel will have a few things to tidy up. My wife is now working weekends, so gotta keep busy somehow! I guess this will be a 160 or 175 hp truck depending on whose figures I believe. Possible fuel plate and big exhaust in the future... It sure won't be quite as hot as my 05 Cummins was.:smiley_drive:

 

[gahi]

I have a '93 W250 cummins/auto extended cab. Its been a great truck, but some of the things I dont like.

Suspension is miserable if running empty or lightly loaded off highway.
Auto trans has a non-locking torque converter. this changed in '94.

But it has over 275,000 miles and still going as strong as ever.

My buddy had a '95 he installed a fuel plate (#10 I want to say) cold air intake, and removed the muffler. After that it would pull the same hill faster towing a car than mine would empty. It was fast. BUT, he eventually killed the auto trans.

After '93 they went to a link suspension, this might need attention usually on the track (panhard) bar. Death Wobble! but once fixed not a problem.