James Lucas

I bet the 3408 was more expensive... That was a huge upgrade over the NTC 400 Cummins. The 3406 would have been the comparable engine. The 3408 was the notorious 8 cylinder CAT if memory serves me well.<br><br>My dad always ran the CAT in his Pete's and he loved them but I feel like he sacraficed his profits for lack of fuel economy by doing so. I remember he would get 3.8 - 4.0 mpg religiously when the series 60 detroits were getting almost double that at 6.5 - 7.0 mpg. Sure he could out pull them but I think those guys made more money :<br><br>

wannadiesel

Cat doesn't currently have any on-highway certified engines small enough to put in a pickup. The Cummins 5.9 is pretty big and heavy for a pickup motor, but the 3126 is really way too big. It's about 8 inches taller and 6 inches longer than a 5.9, and it weighs roughly 30% more. It's basically the same as attempting to put an 8.3 Cummins in a pickup.

Luke S

Wannadiesel, thank you. We got in a pretty heated argument in another thread because some people were saying that Chevy is trying that enginge in there 2500/3500 trucks. I said it physically would not work. It is too big, and too heavy. Thanks for backing up my point.

James Lucas

[quote author=Cummins Luke link=board=8;threadid=17341;start=15#163281 date=1058994606]<br>Wannadiesel, thank you. We got in a pretty heated argument in another thread because some people were saying that Chevy is trying that enginge in there 2500/3500 trucks. I said it physically would not work. It is too big, and too heavy. Thanks for backing up my point. <br>[/quote]<br>I went back and read every post in that thread... Someone said that Chevy was testing &quot;A&quot; Cat not necessarily &quot;that&quot; Cat in the Chevy 2500-3500 trucks and I said that Chevy had tried that engine in the 2500-3500 and put it in the Top Kick instead as it was too fuel ineficient. (that would have been in the early-mid nineties.<br><br>If I was wrong so be it...<br><br>You have twisted the entire (previous)thread around to suit you in that statement. <br><br>Not trying to be inflamitory but this whole thread is about whether or not you would buy a truck if it had a Cat and its slight wanderings off course. Now this!!! :<br><br>Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way in that other thread before it got locked. My statement might have been in error I can admit that. Have a great day

DieselDaze

Were not going to start this again are we? :<br><br>If you two have something to prove to each other, take it up in PM or email.<br>If you have some information that might be useful to others then share it... BUT share it in a manner that is in accordance with the site rules.<br><br>Rich.

James Lucas

No problems here... I just apologized for the previous thread too! <br><br>

James Lucas

We got it all worked out...

P Kennedy

The Cat in a Chevy is an old story as they were tested in a C3500HD, 3116-210hp with disaster as the frames and running gear were incapable of withstanding the torqueand weight. Cooling was a major issue as the 6.5 was having its major problems in the same trucks at that time. As quoted Cats 3116,3126 and 3126B are equivelant to 8.3 Cummins in physical specs both have had their share of growing pains. Cost is only relevant to cost per mile and Cat,Cummins and Detroit have had series of engines that were stinkers. Cummins had the infamous 903 V8 and 555 V8 which were not premium pieces of engineering. Cat had the wonderful 1156/3208 disposables and Detroit 2 strokers had there problems however each one had it spot and loyalists for various reasons. I personally like 3406 Cats for ease of repair although more costly, Cummins are most reasonable to inframe until the N14 and my 470 60 Series Detroit always had the best fuel milage. Compare the 3408 to a KTA 600 Cummins and both had brutal power and both would bankrupt the best operators when they blew up. I bought my truck based on reliability and neither of the other two manufacturers have the consistant total average milage between rebuilds as the cummins B/Dodge. In saying that lots of Ford and Chevy diesel owners had satisfying ownerships for what they bought the truck for. Coincidentally one of my projects is a pre-82 KW A cab single axle mid-liner with a 3126 Cat, Allison New World Auto simply based on available parts and info. 8.3C and L10 are a premium with motorhome rebuilders buying them up and Cat is more common here in mid size trucks. Came close to putting a Johne Deere industrial motor in until it became needed for a loader that died. Would I buy a Dodge with a Cat, you bet that way we would be driving Dodge 4500 series to carry the engine. PK

Luke S

Good post! 8)

James Lucas

If Chevy had gone with a Cat 10 years ago I would have never gone with a Dodge... I was tried and true Chevy!

I have had several Dodge trucks now 97 3500 5sp 4x4,98 3500 5sp banks 4x4, 99 2500 4x4 auto, and my 2001 auto 4x4 all CTD and now I don't know if I would ever go any other engine unless I had to. Keywords: HAD TO

I have also grown to love my truck and have hung onto it instead of the usual get rid of it anually routine that I employed for so many years. AND IT IS A DODGE!!!! (we moved to yuppieville and I had to have a vehicle that would fit in my garage at night, HOA rules, so no BIG Dodge for a few years there)(GLAD WE MOVED!!!)

Cummins brought me to Dodge but it is Dodge that has kept me here. THE CUMMINS IS A HUGE BONUS!

Dollar for dollar look at what we get for HP gains too...

I don't think I would switch to another brand I just wish DC made a LARGE SUV like the Excursion Diesel that I am in the market for now...(for the wife of course)

James

RATTLINRAM

Yeah,,,,,,,,,<br> I think I could get the wife to go for one of these with a CTD powerplant! ;D<br>

James Lucas

Now your talkin' Maybe in the new body style and darken the glass up a little 8)<br><br>OH YEAH!!!

DieselDaze

[quote author=RATTLINRAM link=board=8;threadid=17341;start=15#163677 date=1059069918]<br>Yeah,,,,,,,,,<br> I think I could get the wife to go for one of these with a CTD powerplant! ;D<br><br>[/quote]<br><br>Hey thats actually pretty good looking. I'd like to see it slightly lifted with some 35's under it... but either way, thats looks good.<br><br>Photoshop ?<br><br>Rich

RATTLINRAM

<br><br>No,,,,,<br> That was a company that specialized in stretched pickups and conversions called Bayer Auto.