My thoughts on the Dodge/Cummins pairing (long).....

[SLightfoot]

Got to thinking today about this brand truck and engine deal.



I have read a lot of posts saying "if only they put a Cummins in a GM, it would be the perfect truck", "If only they put the Cummins in a Pherd, it would be the perfect truck"... . yada yada yada, you know the stuff.....



But then I got to thinking... . looking back over the years how the Dodge trucks were built. My dad had an old 76 even.



OK, granted the Pherd and GM may have nicer interiors (to some), or better paint (to some), or better this and better that... . BUT what is the one thing that Dodge has always done? They have built SIMPLE, HEAVY DUTY, drivetrains and suspension. Big rear and front axles, usually straight axle, big trannies etc. Everything was and is really simple. And always looking somewhat overkill for the truck it's attached to. I think sometimes that's what gave them that "clunky" look over the years.



Now, take the Cummins engine. Big, heavy, clunky, powerful and reliable.

Strip away your fancy leather interiors, fancy dashboards, fancy seats, all the fluff, and you are left with something that it was really designed for. A BIG, SOLID, HEAVY DUTY HAULING TRUCK!!!



Given that these trucks for the past 12 years have been put to the test many times, hauling HEAVY for hundreds of thousands of miles, it's clear that the engine was a great match for the drivtrain.



Seriously now, just think... if they had actually slapped the Cummins onto a GM drivetrain 12 years ago. I honestly think that engine would have wreaked such havoc on the drivetrain, it probably would have ended up in failed disaster.



I think this is where being "behind the times" in suspension and drivetrain actually did more to HELP the Cummins Dodge relationship than we realize.



Since these are trucks designed for heavy hauling, stop and think for a minute... . back to '89 or '90 when they first came out. Which chassis and drivetrain would you pick? I know my pick, and it's clunky



I often think that a weak, wimpy drivetrain could have caused such problems that they may have actually discontinued the use of the Cummins, had that been the case. THINK ABOUT THAT!!!!



Food for thought. Opinions of others may differ.

 

[Max340]

Anyone want to hazard a guess on what a Cummins B series would have done to the GM TH700R4?



"Ouch" comes to mind.....

 

[FATCAT]

Not to mention the front end of a Chevy. I had a '88 3/4 ton and that independent front end would colapse with the "B" Series in it.

Ever see Chevys with a 8' plow on the front end? They look like they are doing a continual nose dive down the road, and when they come to a stop light/sign the plows almost hit the ground even though they are lifted all the way up!

My only wish would be "... gee, if only Peterbuilt made a pickup truck with a 12' bed, 9 sp, and 30K rears and a ISX ... " then I'd say you got the perfect pickup truck.

 

[Lil' Dog]

After being up to my elbow in buddies 6. 2's in my youth, the 89 CTD was the obvious choice. After the got over the fact that its actually a Dodge they have new respect for this unit after the many miles and continued good service. Not to mention that it blows them into the ditch with the trailer in tow...

Well put Shawn, I always said I didn't buy the 89 for the looks but for the drive train. But after a while the looks grew on me. Now there is no turning back...