D001: The First Development Truck

[Bob L]

Interesting on how it all started in 1985.

D001: The First Development Truck

<http://turbodiesel.cumminsnewsletters.com/2012/12/d001-the-first-development-truck/>


If you are interested in the full Cummins/Chrysler history, you can download “A Dodge/Cummins Turbo Diesel Historical Perspective” at http://www.turbodieselregister.com [PDF, 560 KB].

[Mark Nixon]

If you actually look at trucks in 1986 and up, there are subtle hints of what was to come later.
Dodge KNEW they were going to do it, it was just a matter of the little subtleties to get it done, from the emissions and comfort standpoints.

Mark.

[Bob L]

It's interesting to follow the evolution of all the smog crap that has been placed on the Cummins & Dodge's over the years. I'm sure you are more verse in the time line, but if I remember correctly it wasn't untill '94 before we saw a catolitic converter, and OBDII didn't appear untill '96 (?). You really wonder what (who) in the government was promoting all the smog eq. At the period of time. What was really going on ?.
That's the beauty of the 1st. Gens, No Smog crap !.

[Mark Nixon]

This link will tell you about the tiering of emissions and their timeline for being implemented:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta ... _standards

There have been emissions standards for diesels in on-road vehicles since at least 1970, when the EPA was formed.
Any on-road application manufactured in the U.S. must have an engine emissions certificate label somewhere on or near the engine at the time of production.

If you look closely at certain equipment, like the grid heaters and intercooler on the 91-1/2 trucks, you come to realize they are also "emissions compliant" equipment, due to the fact that they both are designed to enhance engine performance while lowering emissions.
In fact, a grid heater cycling to aid air temps while the engine is running is an emissions tool as much as it is a starting aid.
The intercoooler is aimed at reducing air temps when the engine is warmer, to enhance power and help emissions.
Keep in mind, as part of the emissions layout, the intercooler was added onto these engines, while the number of injector holes increased (for cleaner atomization) and the injecton pump's dispersal rate (ccs) was decreased.
All of this was in an effort to reduce emissions for a new set of (pre-tier) standards that went into effect on January 1st of 1991.

Ever wondered at the "half year" models?
Most of these came about in response to both government safety standards, and EPA emissions standards.

Mark.

[Bob L]

Thanks Mark for the WiKi site. Some states are really serious about emission testing while others not so much.
My '92 D250 is really a '92.5 with many of the parts the same as a '93. Air filter being one.
When I bought my '92.5 D250 I had my choice between a D & W model. I really wanted the W250 (4X4) but it had auto trans. and I wanted the standard transmission, so ended up with the D model instead. I wanted a W250 with standard trans but couldn't find one at the time. Not sure which is better, I have not missed the 4X4 , and I much prefer the standard trans.
I love my truck, and have always taken exceptional care of it.

[Mark Nixon]

There's another fact about some later 1992s that escapes people.
Around April of that year Dodge revised the speedometer assembly, so it's the same unit as a 1993.
The giveaway is the font of the numbers and a "window" directly over the numbers, presumably to inhibit the possibility of tampering and to cut down on possible dust contamination.

I'm not much of a 4X4 fan, yet my '91-1/2 1 ton is an auto, which I also dislike.
If I don't re-body another 4WD running gear I have here with it, I'll probably convert it to a 5 speed.

Mark.