So right now I don't have a diesel. I did have a Cummins for many years and it was great. Now at the time I didn't know anything about the mods discussed here. I found this site when my old man had to replace the water pump on his Duramax he he he he... But now I'm looking around again for a new diesel. All I know is the Cummins and it was good to me, put in fuel and oil and keep driving. But recently the Powerstroke got my attention but I don't know much about it. From this site I have just begun to learn about mods. So if you guys were in the market for a higher mileage diesel 150k-200k ish. Which one would you go for and why? Then the better question, What mods would you make sure and do first (given high mileage and probable age)?

 

Welcome to Diesel Bombers ! !

Put me down for one vote for Dodge Cummins maybe 2004 would be nice with the common rail injection.

 

So 2004 Cummins. What mods. Recently on this site I was reading about "delete kits" ie... removing the components of the exhaust that get all clogged up. Is that a mod you would do?

 

From a long time lurker...

I'll throw in a vote for a Cummins... personally I like the 4th Gens, but found a 2008 3rd gen 6.7 with 46k miles and couldnt resist.

No DEF in the 3rd gens - yay
Do the "deletes" as soon as you can with an EFI Live tuner (no codes)
Have a new valve body put in your tranny - aftermarket (next on my to-do)
Get a TCM tune - transmission shift point changes (on my to-do list)

and drive the crap out of it.

 

Big Thanks guys, I had been looking around and Ford sure makes a pretty F250 but after this you all have really reinforced my affection for the Cummins and reminded me why I liked it so well in the first place. Thanks for your input.

 

It depends on what you like and how much you want to spend.....

I feel like Ford makes the nicest truck, but the Cummins motor is better, and the Allison transmission is better.

I happened on my 05 cummins by chance and had a good enough experience to make me buy an 09 when I was recently able to buy a new truck.

So, Dodge for me, but everyone has their opinion.

 

So did you get a diesel yet? Even if it's a late followup suggested mods may still be timely.

I can't say i've tried the newer Fords but I got a bad taste in my mouth hearing all the nightmares of some of the previous powerstrokes. As well as the previous transmissions. In theory they should have learned and fixed the problems... but did they? Lots of people love the Ford trucks specifically though and some swap in Cummins! I wouldnt want either 6.0 or 6.4's.

I've always been a GM man normally - the Duramaxes seem to act more civilized, and seem to perform better than the numbers indicate much of the time feeling faster than it is. Lots of guys like the performance potential - at certain HP points the Duramax is cheaper to build than a Cummins. (I don't know offhand what those points are though offhand since I didn't plan to build one but i'm pretty sure theyre north of 550) They act more civilized under huge power also.

The Dodges are probably best for ACTUAL WORK. I'd love a Suburban but my next truck will probably be a Dodge because I need it to WORK. The Cummins have a reputation for a reason and leave little to complain about. I personally like the earlier 12 valve Cummins because of it's simplicity but they haven't been around since 1998 unless you were looking that old. If I could find an old lower mileage one i'd jump on it though.


As to your better question of mods, i'd want to put in head studs to take the extra pressure and for reliability, it may not be needed at 400hp but higher psi for lower EGT's may aggravate things. If I aimed for 600hp i'd probably want O-rings for reliability. My own targets would be in the 400-600hp range to be competitive with the newer trucks - for 400 to 450 probably the ATS Aurora 3000 which seems to spool faster than stock while giving more power. Anything over that will lose too much mpg and torque. It might be a little iffy for heavy towing. At 450-600hp i'd go compound turbos which would also keep EGT's low enough at 350-400hp to tow there. Over 600hp the fuel injectors make the engine run too rough in a Cummins.