Okay so I noticed lately that a lot of people (at least in the dentside and bumpside forums) are putting Cummins in their trucks rather than powerstokes. Is there a reason for this? What are the pro's and con's of each?
(TROLLS: yes, I already know Ford also makes cummins, you may return to your cave, your services are not needed)

 

But, Ford doesn't make cummins motors...

 

oh and chances are they are putting 12 valves in, easy swap as there are no electronics with those motors unlike powerstrokes.

 

As said above it is because Powerstrokes are electronically controlled, and the old 12v Cummins are very simple and don't require special electronics or a computer.

The older IDI is all mechanical, but it isn't used for very many swaps because they don't make big power. They are sometimes swapped into Bronco's or F150's simply because it's so easy. I bet the IDI's would be popular if it wasn't for turbos. Since that's where the new diesels get most of their power.

 

Ford doesn't make the Cummins. The B series Cummins is like the small block chevy of the diesel world. There is tons of them everywhere and a bunch of aftermarket go-fast parts for them. And you can bolt them to damn near any tranny you want to use. I prefer inlines over vees but that's me. I have one in a Ford but I also have a Powerstroke in one and I like them both for different reasons.
I just bought a military hummer rolling chassis and I can put anything I want to in it and I think I've settled on putting a 6.0 in it because I know what it takes to make them reliable and parts are getting cheaper for them.
By the way, the Cummins in my F350 replaced a new 5.8 liter gas burner, not a 7.3, I get asked that alot. If it had been born with a 7.3 it would probably still have it in there.

 

I could swear my uncle told me they made cummins... Or did anyway. Was he totally off his rocker?

 

well, ford doesnt MAKE the engine, cummins does. but ford did put it in some of their larger commercial vhicles(like the f650 iirc)

 

ford owned part of cummins way back, currently i believe that ford has nothing to do with cummins asides purchasing motors for the f650.

 

That 5.9 cummins 12 valve is popular, simple, and reliable.

Making big power is cheap, and repairs are cheap.

I personally think most people like them cause they sound like a little semi motor.

 

I don't do compares of Apples and Lemons!

 

I didnt feel like going with a Cummins swap in my Bumpside. Just like a Chevy 350, as already mentioned, they're already too generic. I'm going with a Ford 6.6, which is still a big 6, but an extra touch of class with the 'Ford' script on the valve cover. Simple, very basic wiring, and can make tons of power. A new Holland tractor place will have all the replacement parts, and dealers quite plentiful in farm country. A powerstroke isnt simple to wire, but do make plenty of power. Plus, a 6 cyl has the room to add a second turbo.

 

^this is correct.

and OP there are several reasons people swap out their powerstrokes for a cummins engine. The cummins is generally more reliable, especially the older ones. Also, if they plan on building a high hp engine the HEUI injection system used on the 7.3 and 6.0 cannot supply near as much fuel as a mechanically injected cummins. Another thing to consider is that parts for the older 12 valves are much cheaper than for powerstrokes.

 

alot do it for the simple fact as stated before, cheap realiable power.

 

one wire hookup and fairly common to find now, and can run to 400K miles with no troubles.

 

Cummins makes a very good engine but Dodge/ram makes a horrible truck so people put a cummins in a Ford because Ford knows how to make a very well built truck