Weighing My Options
 

What's going on Bombers, new kid in town, joined about a year ago but just now getting around to making my first post (I have a hectic job :s:). I'm a U.S. Army soldier currently stationed in Germany and have about a year before I head back to the states, been pricing some pre-Power Stroke Crew Cabs.

While I've never owned a diesel, I've driven plenty of 6.2/6.5 Detroit-equipped HMMWVs (HUMVEEs) which first made me realize what workhorses diesel engines are. However, based on my own experiences with them and all that I've read, the International 6.9/7.3s are the jewels of the IDI world. Further research leads me to believe that the most bang for the buck as far as diesels go lies with the 5.9 Cummins.

Being partial to Dodge trucks (owned a '95 half ton for 4 years, loved it) it seemed like a no brainer to buy a 3/4 or 1 ton Ram. Unfortunately, prior to the 3rd Generation Ram (03 and newer), there was no crew cab diesel and considering I have a wife and within the next few years likely will be having some little ones, that created an issue. Therefore, I decided to give Ford another shot despite my previous experiences with an 86 Ranger (yeah...I worked on that more than I drove it, I'll leave it at that).

My question is this: what is more feasible in terms of power, reliability, economy, price, and fabrication out of a 5.9 Cummins and International DT466 swap? Let me just say that I'm not looking for a 800HP powerhouse like you'd see in the pages of Diesel Power, I just want something to get me back and forth in a timely manner reliably, hot rod once in awhile (a.k.a. haul @$$/go fast/whatever you wanna call it), and get better mileage than any gasser I've owned (my 95 Dodge had a 5.2 Magnum and got 20 MPG highway when I kept my foot out of it).

I know that DeStroked and Diesel Conversions both sell Cummins swap kits for the Ford trucks, but I haven't found any kits for the DT466, and though I am mechanically inclined I cannot weld very well and I'm definitely no fabricator. Any help/answers with this would be very appreciated.

The DT466 is a great motor, But it is Big and heavy.

most economical way is to buy a truck with a factory diesel engine and tune it!

This is true, but there isn't a whole lot of aftermarket for the 6.9/7.3s outside of Hypermax and Banks and even then both of them are limited in what they offer.

From what I understand, it takes ALOT of money and tuning to make a 7.3 Powerstroke a powerhouse but alot less to do it with a Cummins. That's from research, magazines, and several people I've talked with.

true, but the ford truck and transmission holds up better in the long run

^not necessarily true.
Dodge automatics have a tendency to have torque converter issues. you can easily build an automatic dodge to hold all kinds of power. the upgrades are well known.

the diff in an older dodge isn't the greatest until you get into the years using the AAM 11.5 rear end, but rear ends are dime a dozen too.

in the end, OP, get something you want. a 7.3L powerstroke can still make all kinds of power if you want it to. perhaps not as easily as a dodge, but there's also a bit of satisfaction in doing something less common. Everyone and their dog knows a guy with a cummins that is just nasty.
not too many people know someone with a mid 90s powerstroke that has some real gumption to it.