I'm going to edit this for shortness.

lb for lb stock for stock. opinions on which truck has the tightest turn radius. Best general off road durability and tractability. I want to build a 2500/f350 chevy or dodge or ford truck. I don't own a diesel now but I know how i am with new things and it won't be pretty once I get going. I need crew cab (for the kids and camping) I need long term reliability even with the occassional mud romping or high speed off road excursion.

I am not afraid to get my trucks hood deep in water (should I be with diesels? Ford and chevy's air intake is prime for suckin h20)

Link up some good reading if at all possible..and I happen to be a cummins fan..no offense to the chevy fans but chevy doesn't have a long standing diesel rep like dodge and ford. I won't lie I'd like to be able to keep up with mustang or charger to make him do a double take..SO could someone link up a post that breaks down popular modifications and well...what some of this lingo means? 10k mod? Delete and well if your a guru and know some common slang would help. Thanks..damn still too damn long..

i would probably look for a mega cab dodge cummins

stkdram55's Sig:

Just an Inline 6 Cylinder

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier..
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

I'd go with the Dodge too.

Captain Call's Sig:

IT SHAKES RATTLES AND ROLLS

Let's see how about

why? besides owning one and cummins is a good long term vehicle.

Turn radius? Axles durability? SUspension availability?

Upgrade availability? new chevy is pulling more power..does that make a huge difference? not really but damn chevy parts are like @$$ holes everyones got one and a spare for a boss.

PS how about can someone throw me a bone on some of the slang..10k mod? what are popular mods for diesels? (besides exhaust but I'd love to hear opinions on exhaust) Flame me call me stupid and then throw some knowledge down on me and I'm happy..Just hoping to learn a whole lot more.

Ok, Dodge has solid axles, Chevy doesn't. Dodge has Cummins, Ford doesn't. Turning on a Dodge quadcab shortbed is tight enough for a fullsize 4-door. I don't know if you prefer auto or standard but Dodge seems to have more standards out there. If it's fourwheeling you like the low end grunt of the straight 6 Cummins is way more than enough in stock form. In my opinion the Cummins is like the Chevy 350, everyone carries parts for it and the aftermarket is flooded with stuff. As for modding it, it's as easy as 1-2-3......take care of the air/fuel in, exhaust out and suspension.

Yeah, I'd have to say if you want off-roading ability the Ford or Dodge is better. I don't like the new Ford engines due to the reliabilty issues they've been having since the 6.0 came out, and now with Navistar cancelling production. GMs are excellent trucks, they last just as long as anything else, but their offroad abilities in 3/4 ton and larger leave a lot to be desired. They come stock with tiny tires, weak tie rods and weaker front suspension designs. IFS just can't take the beating that a solid front can. That being said, I'd swing the way of a Cummins. The engines last forever, the front axle is more robust although I've heard they need bearings done more often (dodge guys can correct me here), and as they said there's a ton of mods out there for them, although I'd say there's just as many out there for the duramaxes. If you don't plan on beating your front end too much and you like everyday driveability and fuel economy the Duramax would be a great choice. Fords are tough, but the new ones suffer from terrible fuel economy. (10-14mpg, and you'd be lucky to get 19mpg on the highway)

K50's Sig:

2003 Chev 2500HD Duramax 4x4 extended cab long box.
No cat, 56 gallon Titan tank, Bully Dog Tuner installed on Tow Performance Tow mode.
Wishlist: 2" Cognito front lift, MBRP 4" exhaust, new tires....and on and on.

True North Strong and Free

for off roading, i'd go with the dodge. the front axle is a dana 60, as opposed to the dana 50 in the ford. for those that don't know, a D50 is basically D44 guts in a D60 housing. the knuckles and housing is D60 but that's it. rear ends are pretty even, D80 for the dodge and whatever ford calls theirs.

the chevy has IFs in teh front, so thats pretty much all you need to know for off roading a chevy.

Dodge has a diesel rep... but ford? ... no offense, but a cummins powers ford's big trucks now-a-days...

Amen

b.lee's Sig:

96 CTD 2500 4x4 EC LB Goerend Trans and Triple Disc TC, BD Flex plate, Mag-Hytec Trans pan, #10 Plate, 3K GSK, 4" Down pipe/Exhaust, Isspros in A-Pillar, Boost Elbow 36psi, Prime-Loc, Amsoil 4510, 08 CTD wheels w/ 265 BFG's, KDP tabbed, 3rd Gen Trackbar kit - 402,000 Miles 98 Camaro Z28 LS1 Auto, Shift Kit, 3.42, EFI Live, SLP Cold Air, C5 Thin spoke Corvette Wheels

If you want stupid simple and reliable I would get the dodge with a cummins anyday everyone has them they have become the small block chevy of the diesel world.

Mods are popular if you plan on lifting it there is a few really good companies out there for them.

My suggestion would be once you figure out what you want to go into that section there is a lot of awesome info for them.

toy4xchris's Sig:

95 Dodge 3500 ext drw. Goerend v/b and t/c, stock 215 inj, 180p-pump, 3k gsk, 10 plt, BHAF, schied cam, 4" turbo to side exit exhaust, cowl induction hood, and more to come....

That's what I'm talkin about. Solid axle I figured was a stronger option I had hoped maybe chevy had found a way to strengthen the front end..still don't know why they went with IFS other than to keep the old folks happy (ride quality)

Again not to be a question whore but can I get some basics on the cummins. I hear

12v (what years anyone know the good and bad of this motor?
24V same questions and what kind of power were these motors putting out after you replaced exhaust and perhaps fuel rails..

What forum should I be reading for basics on diesels and cummins.
?'s boost controllers (I had a friend that had a digital dinger in his truck that let him up the boost..or so he said)
how much boost is safe if someone wants to have a fun quick little truck. I admit acceleration is fun and it's even better when a big 4x4 walks past a mustang..sorry if I sound ignorant but damnit I love power.

Some basics. Common rail fuel injection? I see 200 injectors 120 injectors.. You guys have a TON of information you don't even know you have . CTD? cummins turbo diesel? VB and TC? just your sig toy4x is encrypted to my green ass. Searching for some info I appreciate all the responses. I am familiar with dana 60s,50s,44s (44'x are for jeeps an lil stuff imho)

3KGSK?
and if you had 4k to put into a motor. what would you do and what would that motor be pushing when you were finished? (assume cummins thanks for reassuring my dodge loyalty)
BD Boost Fooler Hot Rod VP FASS 150 ?

It's a new language I am trying to learn.. I'm going to google some of it but if you can recommend some things to search the forum for where I can research? and give some of your own opinions. I would certainly appreciate it.

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PS I saw a video that just about had me come out of my seat.. This dodge diesel 2500 I think 4wd behind him is a dodge 1500 and behind the dodge is an RV Good sized one too.. This 2500 or 3500 not sure which is strapped to the truck and the truck (that is stuck in the dirt) is strapped to the RV..all you hear is the motor go a little the strap tightens up a little diesel whine (I love that sound) and this guy pulls both trucks and the RV out without a puff of smoke.. Didn't even rev up.. slicker than snot on linoleum

1st Generation 12 Valve:
Years:89-93
Fuel System:Bosch VE Injection Pump/Mechanical
My Opinion: Good Trucks and great engine, cant make huge stupid power but there are guys up over 500 with these trucks. Very simple to get more power out of these by just tweaking the pump.


2nd Gen 12 valve:
Years:94-98
Fuel System: The Legendary P-7100 Injection Pump/Mechanical

My Opinion: The holy grail of the diesel enthusiasts trucks, these engines can make stupid rediculous horsepower, can turn these things as high as you can go and go vroom , great truck for sled pulling because of the unlimited possibilities with injcetion pump. Only down side they are hard to find in decent shape that havent been BOMBed already.

2nd Gen 24 valves:
Years:98.5-2002
Fuel: Vp-44 Not the best

My Opinion: Not a bad truck the injection pump leave a little to be desired if you dont put enough fuel into the injection pump it will fry it whcich is where a FASS or Airdog lift pump come into play to keep the pump happy and supply us with enough fuel. Good truck great engine cant ever go wrong with a Cummins

3rd Gen Common Rails:
years:03-07 5.9 07.5-Present 6.7
Fuel:CP3 supply Pump
My Opinion: These engines are really starting to catch on and guys are getting huge power my adding dual CP3's and huge injctors and really aggressive tuning. It is still the cummins so once again you cant go wrong.

The new 6.7 Cummins has all the Emmissions stuff on it and i would stay away from these they get bad mileage and havent got all the bugs out of em yet


Now for the rest of your questions:

VB-Valve Body its in the transmission
TC-Torque Converter
3-4K GSK-Governor springs for the 2nd gen 12v's with the P-7100 pump, lets you turn more RPMs
100 Injections-Just like it says 100 horse power injectors over stock flow more fuel
FASS 150-Lift pump that flows 150 Gallons Per Hour
Hot Rod VP-a varation of the VP-44 Injection Pump for the 2nd Gen 24v, some swear by them some say your better off with a stock pump
Boost Fooler-Fools the ECM on electronically controlled engines to show 0 PSI of boost and keep giving more fuel



Anymore questions ask, my eyes are crossed and my fingers are cramping

haahaa you are awesome!!! THANK YOU!!!

why does it seem like the only thing you gotta do to get more power is add more fuel? Do people port n polish and work these motors over..



PS I am going to guess your pic of a truck would be a cummins 12v for cheap (california btw) truck that might last awhile? What would you do if you could put 4k in the motor and what kind of power should be expected? I know a chevy 350 and a thing or 2 about ford (like they should have kept the 460 and just upgraded the fuel injection)

3-4k valve springs ? makes sense but rev up a diesel sounds like it might

if you can think of any other good advice or a place to find it. You guys are @#$%in rock solid!! I admit a little diesel envy my budy has a built cobra that I would love to see get spit out by a cummins

What are your typical mods and well let's go with fuel injectors. What kind of results do you get from adding what fuel injector with obviously an upgraded fuel pump behind it?

there are some guys that do the port and polish jobs on the trucks but unless you are trying for ungodly power it isnt needed.

believe it or not you can rev the 12v cummins motors pretty high I have a 3k spring on my cummins and it sounds awesome and doesnt require heavier valve springs.

well for the 12v cummins depending on the year and if it is a stick or auto you wont need to worry about an upgraded pump but you can mod the one you have with simple stuff they have a fuel plate in them that can be replaced with a different one or you can grind your own.

as for injectors alot of ppl will say the 370 marine injectors because of price and power output but the biggest problem is the spray pattern can cause piston damage but there are a ton of aftermarket injectors out there for them.

I would say after you get a truck go through the classified ads on here and there should be a ton of used parts that ppl are swapping out and you can really save alot that way.

alright now this is probably a strange quesetion..but...lower gear or higher gears? seems to be a diesel has the tq to turn the big tires and gears so you'd get better gas mileage and effective wheel spin while mudding with a lower gear ratio..but that's against everything I know about wheeling..low gear ratio = good but..with that much torque..? ya I know soo many questions

Thanks for the patience here. I don't have an issue with spending the money on the right parts. I planned on a banks package and was a little curious (I know nothing about turbos) how to up boost and how much boost is safe with that block?

dont go with a banks, he is awful proud of his stuff and you end up just paying for the name, most all the Cummins you can hit 50 psi and be alright, but 40 is about all you would want on stock head bolts after that it all up to you there are guys running 150Psi thru these trucks not on the street mind you but on the track