Having some seat-time in a ‘92 F350 5 speed, and later in a F250-SD diesel AT, as well as some time in a F350SD 5sp, I was never all that hyped up on a diesel. They were fine, and if the deal was good I had nothing against owning one.

Moving to a rural area, it’s the law that one must own a truck. No rush, waited for a good deal. A horrible looking ’89 Dodge ¾ ton 2WD with a Cummins, 5sp, and 3.54 gears became available through a friend/dealer. He said it “drove fine” .

Made the purchase .It was/is“butt-ugly”. Painted grey over the original Blue, (I said painted, never mentioned sanding ) The grey is a flaking mess. The hood (since replaced) had hatchet holes through it (domestic dispute?) I drove this thing around some, and, it does drive good. (133K). The plan was it would be there if any hauling was needed, otherwise, run every week, or two, to keep it healthy.

Instead, I’ve been driving to work (49 miles,1 way) a couple times a week. I haven’t bothered to replace the missing radio as I’d rather listen to that motor. Love the torque, and the sound. (much different/better than the Fords).

This Cummins thing grows on you. No such lust in the Fords, though they are fine. They just ain’t the same.

This wasn’t really the plan. I was not looking for something to ”get into”. As such things usually become expensive.. Just needed a truck. Simple enough. Now, I envy the 3rd gen Dodge guys with their additional HP, and feel sorry for their “improved, quieter engines”. Screw quiet, I like how this old thing sounds . The Fords had none of this appeal. And, a “real-world” performance exercise, like a downshift to 4th and a 50 to 70 MPH pass, the Fords I drove, won’t hang. Not to mention, (empty, easy driving) it goes as far as on a gallon as my car The car I’ve checked at 22-23 MPG many times, The truck is close enough to not notice any difference in the costs, but not yet checked.

But, I’d like to personally apologize to all here. All my life, Diesel was cheaper than regular gas. Unnoticed to me, it crept to mid-grade prices. I purchased my first diesel, and it’s instantly 10-20 cents above 93 octane prices…I’ll see what I can do, but I’m keeping the truck.

 

Yep, that's how it starts...

 

welcome aboard and you will find there are alot of ways to gain HP without too much money on these 1st gens.
(STOMP just laid down 639.8HP on straight diesel ) - although I bet it cost him a little bit more than the truck itself

I would recomend you doing some reading in the first gen section of this site... there is more info there than you ever thought possible.

Michael

PS don't be afraid to ask questions... we don't bite

 

Welcome to DTR!

Sounds like your hooked like the rest of us. Raged out or shiny new the true beauty of these trucks is under the hood.

Enjoy the site you’ll learn a lot and have fun too.

 

Yep, I'm reading and learning. Trying to learn the diesel language. What brought me here was (surprise) the Getrag. It functions perfectly (no jumping out of gear, scraping, etc.). When it gets to temp it rattles a bit with the clutch out, at idle in neutral. At least that's the only place I can hear it. I've searched, and I've added the extra quart. That delays the noise but doesn't stop it. But, I'll keep at that problem. Love that motor, though. It feels exactly like what it is: a engine big enough for a city bus, but stuck in a pick up. Diesels, in general, are known for being...sluggish. This thing feels eager. It's the exact opposite of, say a VW Rabbit diesel. They could barely pull away from a dead stop. This thing doesn't even require mashing the gas to do so.

 

Thats because you have a manual trans. My auto is great on flat ground...then as soon as I get to even the slightest hill, the engine revs to around 2500 rpm and it makes tons of noise, and doesn't go anywhere. I go from barely touching the throttle to 3/4 throttle just to get over a slight knoll. The engines are awesome...as long as they are hooked to a manual trans (or built auto...many people on here have good luck with them).

Welcome aboard...it wasn't long ago (5 months or so?) that I joined up, just after buying my Ram (another Domestic Dispute). Mine was purchased sight unseen for $500, started up after a bunch of cranking once I put net batteries in, and it needed brakes, windshield, passenger door window, new doors (bottoms were rusted), and complete interior (check my gallery). That was 15,000 miles ago, and its still running great.

Jim

 

Yep, it was 89 cents a gallon when I bought my 1989 in September of 89 and two months later, it went to over a buck fifty. Been there done that. You'll enjoy it though once the bug bites.
Welcome to the site and happy rattling.

 

If it goes away when you rev it up, that's normal gear rattle. Don't sweat it. As long as it isn't popping out of gear and any noises go away over 1500 RPM or so, it's in good shape.

BTW, you do know that you are doomed, don't you?

 

Hi, I'm Boatnik. Welcome aboard but beware. The CTD is the most fun hotrodding of anything that I have ever done. So far it has also been the most performance per dollar of anything that you will ever want to try. If you utter the words " all I want to do is" you will eat them. They don't taste to bad with lots of ketchup and black smoke.

 

Yep. When I started out, all I wanted was a truck that was responsive and sounded good. I was gonna do a turbine housing swap and maybe mess with the pump a little. Now all I want to do is make 700 HP.

 

In case you didn’t know;
Click on "Tech Facts" at the top of the page, there is a "Definition of terms" that will help you learn the lingo.

 

Exactly what Robbie said...

heck my truck has some cosmetic issues, its a work truck and my field office. its what under the hood that makes me keep it... I too am a converted ford IDI diesel man... although a gutsy lil engine, against my cummins its like the little engine that could against the one that has already been there and back...

Welcome and enjoy your truck and many visits to come..

Tx

 

See there ya go, already messing up Diesel Language 101 rule #1 ,
it is no longer called a "gas" pedal or "gas mileage".

Accelerator pedal and fuel mileage are the proper terms.
Skinny pedal or go pedal are acceptable synonyms.

Welcome to the board, enjoy your stay.


phox

 

The "go fast" pedal or "the hammer".

 

I tried that, and not sure if the engine just drowns it out, or the trans quiets down, but I can't hear it at higher RPM. So as long as it doesn't show symptoms, I'll drive it. Thanks!





old habit....I'll go wih "loud pedal"




Yea, I wonder what happened. Not they ever really do, but did the industry ever explain how the gas/diesel pricing swapped places?