when did they first start testing the cummin's in a Dodge

[Simplysmn]

Hey Guy's Need some help .When did the first test mule come out for the Dodge with a cummin's diesel engine in it ? someone has said 1985 .everyone else is saying 1989.Help Solve this ???????

 

[BarryG]

Just thinking out loud here as I have no idea. If the first gen era is 89-93 they were certainly testing them before they sold them so 89 seems too late yet 85 seems too early. I also am unsure about this but normal model years come out the year before back in the 80's new model years typically came out in September or October of the previous year. If that was the case for the first first gens then that would be 88 for the first ones to show up on the dealers lots.

 

[Wayne M.]

I hope the TDR pioneers chime in. I know Cummins has restored the actual test mule, and it was debut at the Cummins open house last year or before (I wasn't there) It's a D250, I think '85 'cause in my mind's picture it had the eggcrate grille.
The first production was '89 model year. So you would have seen them late '88. I remember that and I wanted one so bad.

 

[RVTRKN]

Here ya go, it's a short read but it will help you with more research .
http://www.enr.com/blogs/13-critical-path/post/16238-lost-and-found-first-cummins-ram-test-mule

 

[EDankievitch]

There was a few test trucks before 1985 that they used the 3.9 4 cylinder it worked just did not have the "punch" Dodge was looking for to go after the Ford 6.9. The rumor is that the truck was tested and while it worked it just did not have enough preformance. The test bed truck was supplied by Dodge. When the 5.9 came to be the Cummins Tec requested another truck to install the engine into only there were None to be had. knowing that the 5.9 would be the winning engine the Cummins Tec bought a truck with his own money and built the 1985 number 001 at the Cummins factory. The story that I was told that when the truck was then delivered to the Dodge test track the Dodge people had said we did this once and the "engine just was not enough" but if you want us to test it again, it's your money, (Dodge expected another failure) we'll test it. The story goes on to say that when the Dodge people mashed the throttle on Number 001 the engine wrung the drive shaft clean off! And so began the Dodge Cummins friendship..... I don't know how much of this tail is true but it sure make for a good story around the camp fire when you are with your Ford friends....

 

[Simplysmn]

That is what the guy was saying also was 1985 but it doesn't have a 85 grill thou ?So I Figured the Guy's here On TDR would have some Info .Thank you Gentleman Appreciate the Info and Help .

 

[Wayne M.]

Here, simplysmn is a rundown from the rally, and the debut of the truck. You shouldn't need more than what's here.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...R-Cummins-Rally!?highlight=Cummins+rally+2015

 

[DVolk]

In the early 80's Cummins had conversion kits that was available for use in Dodge Chevy and ford and I think even corn binders . I can remember in 83 or 84 in Trailer Life Magazines they had a article with a Chevy put with a Cummins towing a 30 foot travel trailer . I actually researched outing a Cummins in 87 in a Chevy 1 ton 4x4 ,I also have a brochure from Cummins from back in the day showing the repower kits and part numbers

 

[Simplysmn]

Thank's guy's He was right the mule is a 1985 but it was converted to diesel if I read this right .

 

[KOG]

The engine was a joint venture between J I Case and Cummins. First use I know of was in 580K (3.9) & 680 K (5.9) backhoe in 86 model. http://www.tractordata.com/backhoe-loader/000/1/4/145-ji-case-680k-engine.html. Cummins later bought Case out of the JV so took over the design entirely.

I've got a 580C with the Case engine used previously, wish I had a later model with the Cummins.

 

[RVTRKN]

That's what I remember, because Dodge wasn't behind the Cummins and actually almost killed the project, if it wasn't for cummins taking the bull by the horns. The next test trucks I believe did not have engines, but I'm going from memory when I almost bought a new 94. I just couldn't afford the diesel package, and bought a 2500 360 magnum. (Great engine BTW)

 

[Wayne M.]

Don't forget that this is not the first modern diesel Dodge powered truck. In the late 70's there was a NA Mitsubishi powered truck. The engineers probably still had bad thoughts from that :-laf

 

[RVTRKN]

Ya, I saw that post as well, just think what one of those would be worth if found in mint condition.

 

[Bill Stockard]

From an early edition of the Turbo Diesel Register magazine. I don't remember the date, but it was told by Chrysler engineers who worked on the project during the first TDR Roundup and Rally in Columbus, IN. If I remember correctly, it was held in either the summer of 1993 or the summer of 1994. I was there. Several years earlier while at Cummins HQ, I was attending a heavy truck dealer's meeting when Cummins announced their joint venture with Chrysler to begin furnishing Cummins diesels to Chrysler for installation in Dodge pickups. Historic times...

Bill

 

[Bill Stockard]

OOPs it didn't download correctly... this should be page 1.

Bill

 

[RSchwarzli]

First diesel Ram was the Mitsu in 1978 (although not first diesel Dodge truck....already had them in the 50s)

Discussions with Cummins between Troy Simonson and John Keele was 1983.

First mule was a 1985 D350 360 gas truck shipped to Indiana for Cummins to engine swap. This was in 1984. First drive was 1985.

 

[DVolk]

The person to get the inside scoop would be to call Mystery man as he was there !!!