Information on the Dodge Cummins
The Chrysler-owned Dodge Division has had a decades-long relationship with the Columbus, Indiana-based Cummins Inc., a maker of diesel engines. The relationship blossomed in 1989 when Cummins began to regularly supply diesel engines for Dodge light-duty pickup trucks. Dodge truck sales soared and Dodge soon became maker of some of the most powerful and durable pickup trucks in the North American market.
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Cummins
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Cummins Inc. is a leading manufacturer of diesel engines throughout the world and is considered the world's largest maker of diesel engines generating more than 200 horsepower. Cummins diesels are also used for industrial generators and other stationary engines. Cummins has supplied diesel truck engines since 1919. Most of its sales today are outside the United States, according to Cumminspower.com.
Enter Dodge
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Dodge was a latecomer to selling diesel-powered trucks. General Motors had been producing light-duty diesel pickup trucks since 1978, and Ford since 1983. Dodge entered the fray as a regular diesel truck seller in 1989 when it signed a long-term contract with Cummins. The partnership was a perfect match. Cummins manufactured diesel engines for 18-wheel tractor-trailer rigs and even its smaller engines were developed using technology geared for the big rigs. Dodge deliberately over-engineered its light-duty truck frames and bodies to handle the stress of the powerful Cummins diesels, according to Allpar.com.
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Cummins 5.9-Liter Diesel
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The most durable powerplant for the Dodge truck is the turbocharged Cummins 5.9-liter (359 cubic inches) in-line, six-cylinder diesel engine. It featured a 4.02-inch bore and 4.72-inch stroke with a whopping 17-to-1 compression ratio for a massive 400 foot-pounds torque. Horsepower was rated at 160. The Cummins diesel block was constructed of iron with a steel crankshaft and aluminum intake manifold. The engine had 40 percent fewer moving parts than a V-8, required less maintenance and could reach 300,000 miles before its first overhaul.
Horsepower Increases
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Horsepower was rated at 160 for the 1989 model year that Dodge first used the Cummins 5.9-liter diesel. Horsepower was increased five years later to 175, with torque rated at 420 foot-pounds. Torque is the twisting force generated inside the engine to give the truck hauling power and quick acceleration from a standstill. In 1996, horsepower was further increased to 215 with 440 foot-pounds, thanks to a new direct fuel-injection system. In 2001, horsepower leaped to 245 and 505 foot-pounds of torque when the trucks were equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. By 2003, horsepower was increased to 300.
2010 Engines
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The 2010 Dodge 3500 pickup truck can be equipped with the 6.7-liter Cummins straight-six engine that produces 350 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque at 1,500 rpm. With an 11.50 rear axle and manual transmission, the pickup has a towing capacity of up to 17,600 lbs. and payload capacity of up to 5,130 lbs.
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