The life cycle of the Cummins

[PJ 3]

I was surfing the web and came across this site. It gives you all the specs and changes made over the years......interesting reading on a rainy day !

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/cummins-diesel.html

[peobryant]

Doesn't Harvey Barlow write for TDR?

5% economy gain in a 24 Valve...

[PToombs]

Yeah, he's a regular on there. I like the fuel milage claims. Says it went up with the new types of injection systems each time.

[Richie O]

Yeah, he's a regular on there. I like the fuel milage claims. Says it went up with the new types of injection systems each time.

I caught that also. I don't think that is the way it is. More like every gen gets worse MPG.

[Ace]

Our 91.5 and 07 both get about the same mpg: ~18 avg. And the 07 is an auto. I think it would do better than the ol gal with a G56 manual tranny, not to mention the new truck is about 1klbs heavier. I don't know about the 6.7s, but the last of the 5.9 common rails are sweet powerplants and very efficient.

[SOOT4BRAINS]

I knock off 20-21 with mixed driving. (when I drive nice.) Never had a tank below 18. d250 with skinny hard tires though. My dads 05 has never seen the high side of 17..... his is 4x4, g56, and about 1500# heavier. Makes him mad to know I paid 1/6 for mine as he did his. and mine is a hair faster A lot is driving style. Another guy I know with an 04 3500 4x2 gets 19 with his. I think with the right mods, a lot is possible.

[Ace]

MPG reports are all over the map. Too many factors to really make apples-to-apples comparison with most anecdotal stories. That's why I can say with confidence the newer engines are more efficient. Neither of our trucks has radical engine mods - stock injectors, intake and exhaust upgrades, that's about it. Pump mods on the 91 don't come into play for cruising-down-the-interstate MPG figures. I drive both trucks the same way, on the same fuel, over the same roads.

Anyone who doubts the CR's are a step up engine-wise in any way should drive one for awhile and then reconsider. I still like the 1st Gen better for the sheer fun of driving it. No question about the MPG issue though, to me at least.

[RumbleFish]

thre is no doubt a cr is a huge step up. it really is a nice package. but i wouldnt give up my first gens for my dad's old 97 (this thing was a runner!) or his 04.5. the old iron does everything i need it too, and in the body style that i like. right after he got his 3rd gen he went on vacation. he came back all excited he was getting 18mpg. i rained on his parade when i told him i got that around town with my d250 (that i still miss dearly). he has since put a downloader on it and runs some stanadyne stuff regularly, and is now pulling 21-22 mpg on the open road. my 91 was getting 23-24 before i messed with the pump and injectors. his cr pulls like no tomorrow, but its not a 1st gen.

i plan to roll in this old stuff as long as i can, and then jump into a 3rd gen if i can find a nice one. i have absolutely no desire to own a 2ndgen with all their assorted issues.

[Ace]

Pound-for-pound the 1st Gen is still a stronger truck. It's just brutal and crude, comparatively speaking. That's one of the things I like about it!

[redneckroot]

I own both, and I'd like to own a 2nd gen some day as well. I'm a dodge guy that likes almost all of them. But as far as which one would i like to drive the most? Around town playing around my 90, road trip or towing a trailer i'd take my 05, out of the box more power, better ride, and about the same mpg. But if I could by a new truck that looked like a 1st gen with a common rail I'd be first in line (if i could afford it), i'd even trade the riding quality for front leaf springs just for their simplicity and durability.

[Begle1]

Unless you're looking to survive a nuclear holocaust, the common rail engine is better in every aspect. Not just the injection system; the mechanicals are better across the board. They figured a lot out over 10 years.

[LOGANSTANFORTH]

you also got to remember your dealing with horsepower too.......1st gen engines make 160 stock, CR engines make roughly double that with about the same mileage.......so yes, the new engines are more efficent......if you can move 8000lbs 1000 feet with one gallon of fuel then move 16000 pounds 1000 feet with the same amount of fuel you are being alot more efficent......and efficency is the name of the game.....