The truck counts as equipment??

[steved]

... then a couple of chevies with the 6.2s.

There is nothing wrong with the 6.2L...its that converted gasoline-turned-diesel 350 that GM used in their cars that gave the 6.2L a bad rap. I know of two issues with the 6.2L...its injectors and black (control) box. While it might be low on power compared to today's turbo diesels, I know of several 6.2L that have went over 300k with hardly a problem...the bodies rotted off those trucks before the 6.2L complained. If I remember correctly, weren't the 6.2L actually built by Detroit Diesel? I actually thought about finding an old 6.2L and the matching 465 trans for my 74 Dodge W200 when I had that project, they are cheap and abundant.

Automatics can be built to withstand the abuse...the problem with the Dodge version is that they had such a loose converter, the transmission would lock up but the converter didn't have enough bite to put the power to the ground. My dad's 95 was the same way...on level ground, on grass mind you, chained to a small bush (redneck landscaping), it would just sit and tach up (no tire spin). One of the main advantages of an automatic is torque multiplication of the torque converter...you can get way deeper overall ratios because of that than you could ever get with a manual (and still be able to drive it down the road). If I were to build a 1st gen Cummins with an auto, it would have 4.10s, rebuilt trans with extras clutches, and a real converter in front of it (and probably two of the biggest transmission coolers I could find). If you ever get to drive a 12-valve with the 727 that's been done and has an aftermarket converter; I think you would probably think again. A friend of mine has a 2004 Dodge Cummins 2500 that's pushing over 1000HP on #2 through a 48RE auto...its held up better than the NV5600 he swapped in a few times. Point being, they can be made to last.

 

[sawfun]

Yea, deuce! I bought my m35a3c after getting tired of my 97 Dodge 12 valve 5 speed getting stuck and overloading it with several 10,700 lbs loads. The deuce gets 13mpg with the Cat 3116 and Allison auto. And has been stated, doesnt even know it has a load. It makes for a great street legal skidder. Bad points are very high to load and not good city manners.

 

[fordf150]

the nv4500 isn't really all that great of a tranny but it is the better alternative if your on a budget. auto trans can handle the diesels and working hard when proper parts are installed but that can easily run over 5k. I wouldn't be afraid of a 203/205 doubler behind a stock cummins. the 203 range box and 205 t/c are both probably rated higher in torque capacity than a nv4500. not sure about the 203 range box though. any figures you find on them is the whole t/c. I never had any problems out of the range box...I did break a few chains and the output shafts on them though. healthy 460 with 38 swampers or 40 gumbo mudders and 410 gears.

 

[zogger]

Ya, the 6.2 is a detroit diesel, designed to give some useful power and get better mileage over the gasser 305 of that era. All the gotchas have been worked out by the smart guys, you can read tons of threads on them at the various enthusiast forums, including steelsoldiers, etc. Still a lot of spare parts out there and surplus engine gov pulls for cheap.

I did my research before I got my trucks, my ratsun uses an industrial nissan diesel forklift engine, and the 6.2s are the cheapest entry level diesels for a full size truck.

I never overload or push equipment past design criteria***, I have no need of doing that and don't like replacing busted parts.

***I did that one time and one time only in my life and just about flipped over a guard rail on an overpass on the interstate. Hauling rock dust. Went to make the gradual turn at around just 40-45 and truck kept applying laws of physics and four wheel drifted right up to the rail. No way jose, never again will I do something like that. If a load is two or three trips, so be it. I'll stay within ratings or a scosh under actually.

 

[steved]

Ya, the 6.2 is a detroit diesel, designed to give some useful power and get better mileage over the gasser 305 of that era. All the gotchas have been worked out by the smart guys, you can read tons of threads on them at the various enthusiast forums, including steelsoldiers, etc. Still a lot of spare parts out there and surplus engine gov pulls for cheap.

I did my research before I got my trucks, my ratsun uses an industrial nissan diesel forklift engine, and the 6.2s are the cheapest entry level diesels for a full size truck.

I never overload or push equipment past design criteria***, I have no need of doing that and don't like replacing busted parts.

***I did that one time and one time only in my life and just about flipped over a guard rail on an overpass on the interstate. Hauling rock dust. Went to make the gradual turn at around just 40-45 and truck kept applying laws of physics and four wheel drifted right up to the rail. No way jose, never again will I do something like that. If a load is two or three trips, so be it. I'll stay within ratings or a scosh under actually.

I probably overload a touch, once in a while. I'd rather make multiple trips than be grossly unsafe or loaded such that something falls off.

The NV4500 has a lot higher input rating than an NP435 (I used to know the rating, but that was useless info long forgotten)...and they are a good trans. Most problems arise from lack of maintenance and/or abuse. Behind a stock 12 valve, an NP435 would be fine, finding the correct bell housing would be the fun part (they exist behind 4BT and 4BTA).

 

[Patrick62]

Which is exactly why I am going to a medium duty transmission. One of the common ones is a 4205, and it is conservatively rated at 420 ft. pounds of torque... adequate behind the cummins. I would consider a 435 marginal in the same application. There was a write up on a guy who managed to get a T19 in there, again I consider it to be marginal. A NP4500 if I had one for cheap, I would probably stick it in there. Re-read my post from above. Not a stellar first gear... I don't like slipping the clutch to keep it moving.

I overload ALL of the time. Nature of this business. Which is why the two ton was purchased. We used to deliver 2 cords with a one ton truck.
That is a typical load for the diesel. All green blocks... The truck can carry it slowly, and safely. The engine never complained about being overloaded. It was the transmission that was crying foul.

 

[steved]

That was Dodge's main failure with the Cummins-powered trucks, the engine is a detuned medium-duty diesel with stellar capabilities, where their truck transmission is an underrated turd.

Laying all aside, that 727 was never meant for those low RPMs with that kind of torque.

 

[steved]

One of the common ones is a 4205, and it is conservatively rated at 420 ft. pounds of torque... adequate behind the cummins..

I keep reading this and often forget how low the torque rating of the stock 12-valve was...my last truck was over 600 at the flywheel from factory, almost 850 by the time I got rid of it.