5.9 Cummins Diesel, Who's got one and do you like it?

[Gmiller]

I know there is probably a thread already about this but i can't fine it, so here's another one. I have a GMC 6.5L Turbo Diesel with 161,000 miles on it, its a turd, i don't like anymore. Its a dually, but it just can't pull like i want it to, so time to upgrade!! Im looking at the cummins 5.9 because everyone i know loves them and they pull great. Do you like they way they pull. Auto, or Manual?? What do you think??

 

[GlennRMK]

Love my 03. Its a late 03 HO with the 48RE auto. Been a great truck so far. I've had it for almost 2 years now. Only thing I've replaced is the sun visor. However, my ball joints are due. This is to be expected with a diesel truck with some miles, lift and 35s though.

I also had an 01 6 speed before it and I've had a lot better luck with the 03.

98.5-02 use the Bosch VP44 injection pump which is problematic and over $1000. Mine never went out but I did go through 3 lift pumps. The steering and ride is also worse.

If you can't don't have the dough for at least an 03, definitely go for old 94-98 12 valves. 1998 12 valve is ideal because it has the newer interior and you can get a short box.

A lot of people complain about the autos being junk, but I know a bunch of people who haven't had any problems with theirs.

I have a Goerend valvebody and would like to add a converter personally. If you tow heavy and run a programmer that would be mandatory. But if you tow heavy and run a programmer with manual you will need a clutch as well.

Having had both, I will say the auto is way faster and easier but I would prefer the manual for heavy hauling. If I was consistently towing 10k or more I would opt for the 6 speed. Anything less and the auto is just fine. I run mostly empty and a two place so I see no reason to go back to the stick.

 

[smokin98.5]

Main ? is how much are you going to spend.

I know there is probably a thread already about this but i can't fine it, so here's another one. I have a GMC 6.5L Turbo Diesel with 161,000 miles on it, its a turd, i don't like anymore. Its a dually, but it just can't pull like i want it to, so time to upgrade!! Im looking at the cummins 5.9 because everyone i know loves them and they pull great. Do you like they way they pull. Auto, or Manual?? What do you think??

 

[Gmiller]

Well i figure i'd make it work for what i want. I'd like to spend up to and not over 26,000 but i know i can get a good truck with lower miles for cheaper than that.

 

[carlc]

depending on your location and what pickup values are, 26k would buy to a dang nice pickup. here in montana, my buddy just bought an 06 mega with 60 thousand on it for 22, well equipped. you could probably find a 6.7 for that price, which would give you an exhaust brake and a much better tranny, but its gonna have a lot of miles. or you could buy an older 03 or 04 in mint condition with low miles, or some aftermarket stuff done to it. just look around and you will find what you want, they all have their pros and cons though

 

[GlennRMK]

If your willing to spend up to 26k go for an 03-07 5.9 Cummins

check out

www.dieseltruckresource.com
www.cumminsforum.com

 

[codysiver]

i have a 2005 dodge 2500 with the 5.9 with 63,000 miles for sale and the thing is a beast when it comes to hauling. pulls trailers like a dream. gets unreal gas mileage to. up around 21 on highway. i have it for sale on here.. its the thread with that says 2006 for some reason but it is an 05..let me know if ur interested..my askin price is 23,000 but willing to deal. thanx alot
cody

 

[tmac]

i have a 04.5 5.9 best truck i have owned i hulled a 26 foot in closed trailer with a car and 3 sleds in it from pei and still got over 21mpg depending on driving speed cold air intake and programed make a big diff in power and milage it has a 6 inch lift and 37s put two sleds on the deck two or four on a trailer and you wouldn't even know there behind you lots of room for your gear the only thing i would do diffrent i would get a mega cab

 

[skidooer1]

A low mile 04 305/555 is the best one out there imo. or an 03.5 ...but the newer steering wheel makes the interior look better imo.personally i prefer the early common rails due to piston design, injectors, small 9cm turbine for way better spool up, and no electronics on the turbo. my 02 has been a great truck other than 1 injection pump, fass, heater core, new window switches. not to bad for 155,000 miles and well over 500 hp. my 04.5 wasn't a bad truck but by 100,000 miles the cat plugged and put cracks all over the turbo from the excess heat.would have been fine had I deleted the cat early on.sold it with a 120,000 miles and only had to put a new tps on it. probably should have put a new turbine housing on it but let the new owner do whatever.

 

[Nelson]

I've owned and 04.5 H.O. and an 07 5.9 Cummins with auto's, I loved them both and tow a loaded 4place snowmobile trailer easy with them. Buy an 04.5-07 auto if you're willing to spend the $26k.

I'd stay away from the 6.7 due to the emissions garbage, the 5.9 will do anything the 6.7 will do and will get better fuel mileage.

 

[Nelson]

my 04.5 wasn't a bad truck but by 100,000 miles the cat plugged and put cracks all over the turbo from the excess heat.would have been fine had I deleted the cat early on.sold it with a 120,000 miles and only had to put a new tps on it. probably should have put a new turbine housing on it but let the new owner do whatever.

Why didn't you do a cat delete on your truck right away? These aren't emissions trucks and don't need them. Way worth the money.

I immediately went with a 5" turbo back exhaust on my 04.5 right away and maintained the factory warranty as well as a 4" cat back exhaust(delete's cat converter) on my 07 and still maintain the factory warranty. I'm going back to a 5" turbo back on my 07 because it seems my EGT's were way lower on my 04.5 then my 07.

 

[skidooer1]

Nelson, I should have done it right away. But since I used the truck in colorado alot I didn't want to get hit be the emmision nazis.lol Who knows the truck probably would have passed without one but didn't want to risk it.

 

[440dart]

if you pull heavy definitly go with a manual i drive both everyday mine is a 6.7auto and i drive a towtruck 05 5.9 manual and the tow truck obviously tows way better because of the manual, as far as the clutch goes the towtruck weighs 11,900 by its self and hauls fullsize diesles and every thursday it gos to spokane and usally hauls something on the bed and something on the trailer. the truck has banks kit on it "intake,intake elbow,intercooler" and edge chip. this truck you can set the cruise at 75 and it will go up lookout pass without looseing mph or downshifting. been on a stock clutch for 2 years no problem truck has 433k on it. we also have a 90 dodge my dad bought brandnew in 1990 been a tow truck since day 1 got 1.5mill on it origional engine couple headgaskets couple trans couple rear and front ends

 

[RX1MountainMan]

My first Cummins was a 1992 12V. Bought it with 108,000 for $9500 sold it with 271,000 for $7500 3 years later had the auto tranny rebuilt and upgraded at about 180,000 20-22mpg empty 13 pulling a heavy 27' 5th wheel, it's still running around over in the Bitterroot valley as far as I know. Bought a 2000 with a 24V in 2005 with 112,000 miles on it has 190,000 on it now, new Bosch VP44, new FASS 150/150 lift pump, 60 hp injectors, Superchips programmer, K&N cold air kit, and 4" mandrel exhaust. 18-20 and as high as 24 mpg empty 11-12 pulling a 24' enclosed with four sleds. I would never own any other diesel.

 

[RMK-King]

I have a 07 5.9 auto with a smarty Jr programmer with 45k miles, it has been rock solid so far and pulls like a fraight train. You should be able to find a nice 04+ for 26k, and it is guaranteed to make your 6.5 look silly empty or loaded.

 

[Megadeth]

My first Cummins was a 1992 12V. Bought it with 108,000 for $9500 sold it with 271,000 for $7500 3 years later had the auto tranny rebuilt and upgraded at about 180,000 20-22mpg empty 13 pulling a heavy 27' 5th wheel, it's still running around over in the Bitterroot valley as far as I know. Bought a 2000 with a 24V in 2005 with 112,000 miles on it has 190,000 on it now, new Bosch VP44, new FASS 150/150 lift pump, 60 hp injectors, Superchips programmer, K&N cold air kit, and 4" mandrel exhaust. 18-20 and as high as 24 mpg empty 11-12 pulling a 24' enclosed with four sleds. I would never own any other diesel.

Just curious why you'd spend all that cash on other mods but use a Superchips?

 

[jokerman]

Have a bone stock 02,6spd,pull a 28" 4 sleds loaded to the n*t's, 1 lift pump and several mishaps with critters,pulls like a dream, fuel mileage beter han an Gasser, more reliable than the sleds i have...LOL!!!!

 

[absoluteapex]

i've run dodge for a long time,got some brothers on here that have other manufactures but we always take the dodge for power and miles per gallon or liters per 100 kilo,but you have to buy what you want if your a ford guy buy a ford,gm buy a gm,and so on,and the auto transmissions these days are so stronge,

 

[machinest660]

I have a 06 with the 5.9 it has an edge juice with attitude programmer and 5 inch eghaust. i love the motor and the way it pulls. it is an auto but never had any troubles with it yet. the only thing i dont like is the ride and the way it handles... but i been in a chevy half ton till this truck so i cant expect it to be the same.

 

[frog]

Had a 06 quad cab 2500 5.9 with the auto and absolutely loved that truck. Had a Smarty programmer and intake and pulled great, not one problem in 35,000 miles. Traded for my 08 D-max caused I wanted a bigger cab and the Mega was too big to fit in my garage and no way was I going to have a truck that cost so much dough to sit outside in the summer, I drive my civic in the summer for work. The D-max is quieter, drives nicer, doesn't pull as good but is close. I miss my Dodge every now and then but not enough to come close to regretting getting the D-max. You will be very happy with the Dodge, no question.