Cummins B3.9 & B5.9 Op & Maint Mnl Recommended?

[OnlyCummins]

Altho I don't have a 1stgen yet, I've been accumulating reference manuals (so far I have the '92 FSM & '93 Cummins Dsl Truck Powertrain Diagnostic Procedure Mnl) & was just wondering whether the above title would be worth adding to my (growing) collection? Here's one for sale on eBay.

 

[1stgen4evr]

cheap 1st gen truck

They are all cheap compared to new. Friend of mine picked one up (fwd) really cheap. Around 220k miles and 2500 dollars. We are doing the getrag right now and he will certainly get some really cheap miles out of it. He has had offers to buy the truck even before it is repaired.



I doubt that you will buy one (cheap) from a TDR member so look for one that belongs to an uninformed owner. Don't tell him about TDR until you have the title in your possession. Check out the posts at getrag vs nv4500 and go for it. They are getting harder and harder to find. They are all working or playing in the hands of very satisfied owners.



Manuals? You can probably find every answer you will have a question to right here. But manuals are always good.



1stgen4evr

 

[Greenleaf]

Dude!..... How many do you want me to send you??? Or when I'm in your neck of proverbial woods. I'll unload several onto your door step



Scott

 

[OnlyCummins]

As far as buying a 1stgen cheap, I was thinking along the same lines.



Already have pretty much ruled out buying one cheap from ANY member of such a site & have been searching the various "for sale" sites weekly. What really makes my search difficult is trying to find one that's a club cab AND 4WD AND manual. I've found plenty of reasonably priced regular cabs but so far the club cabs have been an arm and a leg.



Only reason I'm going cheap is because of my major disappointment with a previously owned '95 Chevy K3500 6. 5L HO TD, NV4500, crewcab, SRW. Had bought the vehicle largely based on the mileage -- mid 20's -- someone I knew was claiming they were getting out of a pre-'94? (old style) Suburban 6. 2L & was I ever sorely disappointed! Not only with the mileage but with the POS FIP. Also had to look forward to cracking in #8 cylinder & the head.



I'm much more informed (AKA less ignorant) now but still find some of the claims for the Cummins kinda hard to swallow. So ... with that in mind, I'm hoping to get into one cheap with the idea that, if I'm again disappointed, I'll be able to get rid of it quite quickly.



Thnx for your reply.

 

[OnlyCummins]

Hey Scott, if you're serious I'd like just one & I'll pay for shipping. Either reply here or PM me. Won't be getting back on the site until this afternoon so plz don't expect a reply until then. TIA.

 

[Greenleaf]

Op/Maint. Manual

Ok... ... .



I have 6 or 7 of 'em

 

[bgilbert]

Me, me, me Scott!!!! Over here!. Darn I just bid on that op/maint manual on ebay. Let's see what I have to trade ya for one. . hmm, got 3 warm mt. dews, half ate sub, and a bag of lays chips!! Ah the sub might not be good time it gets to the buckeye. Bill

 

[OnlyCummins]

Scott, I just sent you an email.



Hope I'm not too late.



WARNING: Be prepared to get swamped with requests for a 'free' manual .

 

[Greenleaf]

Hmmmmmmmmmm

What kind of sub is it????????

 

[bgilbert]

Well Scott, darn I won the ebay auction for the manual, I hope its good, I paid paypal. Bonus free gift showing charts, dimensions of engine for installing into a vehicle or something. Sorry I done ate the sub it was a club. Drank the mt dews too. I gots lots of manuals now, hope this one is different and or shows me more than or better detail anything than well lets see 74-93 Haynes, 67-88 Chilton, 89-91 Chilton, 89 FSM, 89 FSM Diesel Supplement, 93 FSM. If its not or its the same as my 89 FSM D. S. (written by Cummins) I'll be interested in a trade for something else yeah thats it. . Bill

 

[JLEONARD]

One cannot have too many maintenance or reference manuals.

I'm an engineer, so take that in consideration.

East Coast Jay

 

[Greenleaf]

For what it's worth.........

This op/maint. manual is a simplified/condensed version of the Cummins repair manual. It highlights some operating characteristics of the engine. The same thing is found in you truck op manual and in the Cummins service and repair manual. Also, it highlights some minor maint. procedures like R&R of turbo, injection pump, injectors ( I think) thermostat, valve adjust etc. I would not recommend rushing out to purchase said book unless you don't have/want the "big book" and do nothing more to your truck other than simple maint. items.



Greenleaf



I have some ISB books left and just noticed that the newest versions are about 2/3rds the size of the earlier books. I suppose somebody at Cummins just realized that they were printing the same thing in this book as what can be found in the "big book" . Now you have to buy the Expensive book to get the same info. Don't ya just love being taken advantage of

 

[TrqMonster]

buying truck off TDR

OnlyCummins,



While you dont want to spend too much, my advice is to look to buy a truck off the turbo diesel register (if you have the time to wait for one) or similiar website. Eventually one will pop up. I just bought a 96 off a guy in Missouri and I live in Indiana. I wanted extended cab, 4X4 and manual transmission. Waited a month to find one. The thing is almost everyone on here takes care of thier vehicle and knows what they own. If you dont want to be dissappointed with a truck by paying more and finding out you dont like it, I would say your asking for trouble. buying a "cheap one" will not do the cummins any favors if the previous owner did not maintain it properly. Im sure one will pop up somewhere, you just gotta look.

 

[OnlyCummins]

TrqMonster,



I realize I'm taking a risk buying elsewhere but it's one I'm willing to take all things considered (or maybe not).



Even assuming abuse, I think I'd still be able to form a valid opinion on the engine/truck. If favorable, I'd spend the money I 'saved' on a partial rebuild, mild porting & thermal barrier coatings. It'll be BOMB'ed but not for power, just fuel economy. If power increases as a side affect (as I'm sure it will), so much the better.



I'm definitely patient, so am willing to wait for the 'right' deal to come along. And, eventually, I'm sure it will.