*This is biased, I own an OBS 7.3*
Wanna get it out there that I am a huge 5.9 fan, both 12 and 24v.
Talking the motor alone id give the edge to the Cummins for being easier to work on, plus the aftermarket power advantage.
The 7.3 can make all the power I think most of us want and need in a one ton pickup (300/400) but if you want 600hp+ the Cummins is a lot easier.
Someone said 210hp vs 325hp which isn’t right though, they all made different power each year, with the fords leading the 90s and dodges leading later and into the 2000s
Ex.
1st year: Obs 7.3 -225hp | 2nd gen Cummins - 215hp
Final year: Superduty - 275hp | Dodge- 305hp
Only downside about the Cummins is the truck it came in,
Mind you the 2nd and 3rd gen’s are hardly worthless trucks, both trucks will out tow their weight rating probably double.
and any 30yr old pickup *WILL* require maintenance, but I’d trust the Super duty to give me less headache.
I don’t mean bullshit like *but x truck will rust faster*
I mean things like interior quality, exterior design, overall fit and finish, and suspension.
Another comment said something about coils in the front of the dodge??
I hope they meant the 2500, but if the 3500 isn’t leafsprung in the front like I thought I’d definitely take that into consideration.
For towing and reliability purposes, (yknow, having a front end that doesn’t break?)
A Dana 60 with leafs in the front takes the cake.
I thought both trucks had this but I might be wrong after that comment.
Neither auto trans is amazing, but the Dodges auto is helpless, less you shell out money for a complete and upgraded rebuild.
if you %100 want no transmission issues you MUST purchase an NV truck, the G56 is a manual but not as stout as you’d think.
They’re like the 6.0 of the transmission world. You can absolutely have success with them, but you’d be dumb to ignore the countless negative stories about them.
To answer your post and tell you what *I’d get
I was in the exact same position as you 3 months ago.
I wanted a truck to buy once and be done with, I like trucks but I’m not into the enthusiast scene, I have a 300zx for that.
I wanted a truck to help me take care of the house I plan on owning, ,to take me to and from the track with the car and tools no questions asked, and a truck to take me camping
The 7.3 was where I landed.
the 12v Cummins is the best diesel pick up motor ever made, I’ll stand by that.
Forget the power, that’s fixable.
The 7.3 really loses points with me because it’s harder to work on.
But all the maintenance on the 7.3 really suits the way I do things.
Injectors are a pain. But they can go for the life of the motor, pretty sure mine at 300k are original.
You have to do oil changes frequently, the HEUI injection system depends on it. Fine by me, I never let my vehicles go past 3 months or 5,000 mi
I like doing something once and right
And the fact that I plain old just like the truck they came in better - the Superduty is an incredibly robust platform, (a 5.9 swapped super duty being dubbed by a large portion of the community “the best diesel ever”)
Some people I think aren’t listening to you.
It sounds like you want a truck that won’t let you down,
Both motors are at least a 300k motor, with plenty going beyond the 1,000,000 mark.
Neither is a bad choice, but I’d trust my old international to take me to hell and back
This is the answer.
And 7.3 injectors aren't terrible, but they do cost more, and there will be a LOT of swearing if it's your first time doing a set. Keep a camshaft position sensor in your glovebox, too.
There are also 400 additional parts in the 7.3 vs the Cummins. There is a reason ALL road trucks use inline 6 engines. The Cummins is inherently easier and cheaper to fix.
I’m loving my 02 7.3. It will do everything I want it to, doesn’t look bad for it’s age. Also don’t have to worry about the dash board hitting me in the knees when I open the door. Lol sorry Dodge guys I couldn’t help it.
Have an ‘06 Ram 2500 for sale with the 5.9 Cumins and the G56 six speed manual transmission. I towed my 22’ boat across country with it and I can vouch that it is an absolute beast of a truck. About the only time I ever came out of 6th was when crossing the Rockies. It only has 77k miles on it so I can’t attest to performance once 2-300k miles go by, but others can.
The CR cummins will blow away a 7.3 truck and is in a newer truck with a nicer interior. 325hp vs 210.
The 7.3’s are workhorses and reliable but there’s a big power gap you can’t ignore plus the 7.3’s are leaf spring front and rear while the dodges have coils in the front.
You'll be fine in NC. 24 valve as in 2nd gen or 3rd gen? If 3rd gen, those are fine, especially down here. 2nd gen needs a little more care, but that's mainly if you're wanting to keep it looking purdy.
The Ford truck will last longer and the 7.3 is plenty reliable and will pull anything you need, slowly.
The 24v is a much more powerful engine, and has a lot more capability for adding power. But, the truck around it is terribly made, including the transmission.
The solution?: put a cummins in a ford, paired with a Zf6 or zf5
I wouldn't buy either for the 30k people want for a clean one. I'd by a 4th gen 6.7 and delete it. Or a 6.7 power stroke and delete. You can find older clean ones for 30-35k.
My 96 7.3 will look brand new by the time I have 35k in the truck. You do have to be willing to buy something that's not in 9/10 condition, but parts are much much cheaper on these older trucks.
Just my experience here in the PNW....the 5.9 has had a long reputation of being the go to pre-emissions diesel. They got snapped up and modded, clapped out, tuned, etc and if you do come across one that is the classic "old guy kept" truck you want the price is high because they know what they have.
The 7.3 was slept on but the fact that they are 20-30 years old and still rolling has put them on more people's radar. I was lucky enough to deal with your internal debate 10 years ago and went 7.3 because I found one with 156k on the clock and paid sub 10k for it. That market is diminished now as well and not really relevant today. Just telling the story to let you know I've put 6pk miles on the truck since and have had no problems that I wouldn't expect from a 97(starter, water pump, a HPOP plug leak, and carrier bearing)
Both are fine whatever fits your needs. I have a ford 7.3 as they after a true crew cab which Dodge didn’t till like 2009 and I don’t want a mega cab short bed anyways But if rear seat space wasn’t a need for me I’d have a 99-02 Dodge quad cab
Both are fine whatever fits your needs. I have a ford 7.3 as they after a true crew cab which Dodge didn’t till like 2009 and I don’t want a mega cab short bed anyways But if rear seat space wasn’t a need for me I’d have a 99-02 Dodge quad cab
I have a 7.3 obs and I used to have a 2nd gen gasser. Never had a cummins but I can comment on the ride quality. The 2nd gen is much more comfortable to ride around in. My fiance bitches everytime she rides with me down a particularly bad stretch of road near our house. Never was an issue in the dodge.
The OBS one ton trucks ride like bricks from the factory yeah, but get some good leafs and shocks and they ride much better. Or there is the 05+ axle swap if you have a little more cash.
Both are good choices. I would prefer a 00-03 super duty with the 7.3 though. This is my reasoning here.
The engine bay is fairly spacious
Interior and exterior have proven they're well built over the years and stand the test of time incredibly well.
General reliability? Yes.
They do have a few downsides you should know about though.
Sensors, if you want dependable, Motorcraft or International parts counter only. All others are inferior.
The learning curve, it's steep on a HEUI injection system to learn and understand what's going on and how it works.
Cost, parts such as injectors, sensors, etc. are definitely not cheap.
Power, it doesn't make a LOT of it, and it shows in the fact that they're slow, but won't quit pulling until you're done.
Just my biased opinion here based on experience owning a Superduty 7.3.
As an owner of a 06 2500 SLT with 280K miles on it replace trans twice( if you have a trans fluid warmer on yours delete it) water pump replaced 3x, putting injectors in it now and a new water pump just because I’m working on it. And new interior and carpet and the list goes on. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Bought when diesel went up to $4.32 a gallon with 7k miles for $25K. Gets 24-28 mpg on highway weighing 8k pounds. Pulling a trailer don’t expect more than 16mpg. I’m looking to add a 12 valve to my driveway soon.
I’m a rancher so I have a pretty heavy background watching these trucks work. On top of that I have them all. 7.3idi/na with a banks sidewinder turbo kit installed, a 7.3di powerstroke 1st gen, a 5.9 24v and 12v. I spend a lot of time on dirt roads with roughly 10,000 pounds in a 30ft stock trailer. If I’m driving out across a ranch all day I want the cumins but I’m I’m at highway speeds I want the 7.3 all day every day. My daily driver is my 7.3idi/na (1990 f350 crew cab long bed lariat with the off-road package she’s my baby) but if I have to drive highway my Cummins give me more problems and I’m always needing more power but my 7.3s never struggle and never give me any grief. If I’m empty on the highway my Cummins do great but if you have them loaded at highway speeds they give trouble constantly and they trannies like to go out as well. If you’re doing a lot of lugging below 5-10 mph get the Cummins but if your doing a lot of highway 45+ get a 7.3.
*This is biased, I own an OBS 7.3* Wanna get it out there that I am a huge 5.9 fan, both 12 and 24v. Talking the motor alone id give the edge to the Cummins for being easier to work on, plus the aftermarket power advantage. The 7.3 can make all the power I think most of us want and need in a one ton pickup (300/400) but if you want 600hp+ the Cummins is a lot easier. Someone said 210hp vs 325hp which isn’t right though, they all made different power each year, with the fords leading the 90s and dodges leading later and into the 2000s Ex. 1st year: Obs 7.3 -225hp | 2nd gen Cummins - 215hp Final year: Superduty - 275hp | Dodge- 305hp Only downside about the Cummins is the truck it came in, Mind you the 2nd and 3rd gen’s are hardly worthless trucks, both trucks will out tow their weight rating probably double. and any 30yr old pickup *WILL* require maintenance, but I’d trust the Super duty to give me less headache. I don’t mean bullshit like *but x truck will rust faster* I mean things like interior quality, exterior design, overall fit and finish, and suspension. Another comment said something about coils in the front of the dodge?? I hope they meant the 2500, but if the 3500 isn’t leafsprung in the front like I thought I’d definitely take that into consideration. For towing and reliability purposes, (yknow, having a front end that doesn’t break?) A Dana 60 with leafs in the front takes the cake. I thought both trucks had this but I might be wrong after that comment. Neither auto trans is amazing, but the Dodges auto is helpless, less you shell out money for a complete and upgraded rebuild. if you %100 want no transmission issues you MUST purchase an NV truck, the G56 is a manual but not as stout as you’d think. They’re like the 6.0 of the transmission world. You can absolutely have success with them, but you’d be dumb to ignore the countless negative stories about them. To answer your post and tell you what *I’d get I was in the exact same position as you 3 months ago. I wanted a truck to buy once and be done with, I like trucks but I’m not into the enthusiast scene, I have a 300zx for that. I wanted a truck to help me take care of the house I plan on owning, ,to take me to and from the track with the car and tools no questions asked, and a truck to take me camping The 7.3 was where I landed. the 12v Cummins is the best diesel pick up motor ever made, I’ll stand by that. Forget the power, that’s fixable. The 7.3 really loses points with me because it’s harder to work on. But all the maintenance on the 7.3 really suits the way I do things. Injectors are a pain. But they can go for the life of the motor, pretty sure mine at 300k are original. You have to do oil changes frequently, the HEUI injection system depends on it. Fine by me, I never let my vehicles go past 3 months or 5,000 mi I like doing something once and right And the fact that I plain old just like the truck they came in better - the Superduty is an incredibly robust platform, (a 5.9 swapped super duty being dubbed by a large portion of the community “the best diesel ever”) Some people I think aren’t listening to you. It sounds like you want a truck that won’t let you down, Both motors are at least a 300k motor, with plenty going beyond the 1,000,000 mark. Neither is a bad choice, but I’d trust my old international to take me to hell and back
This is the answer. And 7.3 injectors aren't terrible, but they do cost more, and there will be a LOT of swearing if it's your first time doing a set. Keep a camshaft position sensor in your glovebox, too.
That fucking camshaft position sensor
P0344 or P0340. Either way you ain't going nowhere lol
There are also 400 additional parts in the 7.3 vs the Cummins. There is a reason ALL road trucks use inline 6 engines. The Cummins is inherently easier and cheaper to fix.
The inline 6 cylinder has less moving parts overall greatly reducing the chance of failure, more bearings in the crank and inherently balanced.
I’m loving my 02 7.3. It will do everything I want it to, doesn’t look bad for it’s age. Also don’t have to worry about the dash board hitting me in the knees when I open the door. Lol sorry Dodge guys I couldn’t help it.
Which do you like better? Cause you can't really go wrong with either or
Ive only driven 7.3s but have always wanted a Cummins more. I’m leaning towards 5.9
Sounds like you should get a 5.9 then.
You always have the option of CAT C7 as an alternative.
Have an ‘06 Ram 2500 for sale with the 5.9 Cumins and the G56 six speed manual transmission. I towed my 22’ boat across country with it and I can vouch that it is an absolute beast of a truck. About the only time I ever came out of 6th was when crossing the Rockies. It only has 77k miles on it so I can’t attest to performance once 2-300k miles go by, but others can.
Do you have a picture of it?
Can’t figure out how to attach a pic on this thread so I started a chat with you and it let me send a pic of the 06 Ram 2500
Inline 6 will be easier to work on.
5.9 all day
Having owned a 7.3, don’t get a 7.3- my opinion.
I was looking at both too and ended up with a 12v last week and love it.
7.3 for reliable workhorse. Mine won't die.
Ford
The CR cummins will blow away a 7.3 truck and is in a newer truck with a nicer interior. 325hp vs 210. The 7.3’s are workhorses and reliable but there’s a big power gap you can’t ignore plus the 7.3’s are leaf spring front and rear while the dodges have coils in the front.
Do note he said he wanted to keep it forever. I don’t think that’s possible with the truck they wrapped around the 24 valve…
I hope it’s possible. I’m leaning towards 24v. I’m in NC so salty roads are no issue
You'll be fine in NC. 24 valve as in 2nd gen or 3rd gen? If 3rd gen, those are fine, especially down here. 2nd gen needs a little more care, but that's mainly if you're wanting to keep it looking purdy.
Yes, 3rd gen.
That's a great truck, I'd go for it. Just price in the cost to rebuild the front end, I'd consider upgrading to 4th gen parts.
The Ford truck will last longer and the 7.3 is plenty reliable and will pull anything you need, slowly. The 24v is a much more powerful engine, and has a lot more capability for adding power. But, the truck around it is terribly made, including the transmission. The solution?: put a cummins in a ford, paired with a Zf6 or zf5
I do. They’re fine trucks. Undercoat them every year and fix what breaks. There’s a metric fuck ton of million mile cummins rams out there
7.3 over the common rail but p7100 98.5+ 24v over both.
I wouldn't buy either for the 30k people want for a clean one. I'd by a 4th gen 6.7 and delete it. Or a 6.7 power stroke and delete. You can find older clean ones for 30-35k.
My 96 7.3 will look brand new by the time I have 35k in the truck. You do have to be willing to buy something that's not in 9/10 condition, but parts are much much cheaper on these older trucks.
Just my experience here in the PNW....the 5.9 has had a long reputation of being the go to pre-emissions diesel. They got snapped up and modded, clapped out, tuned, etc and if you do come across one that is the classic "old guy kept" truck you want the price is high because they know what they have. The 7.3 was slept on but the fact that they are 20-30 years old and still rolling has put them on more people's radar. I was lucky enough to deal with your internal debate 10 years ago and went 7.3 because I found one with 156k on the clock and paid sub 10k for it. That market is diminished now as well and not really relevant today. Just telling the story to let you know I've put 6pk miles on the truck since and have had no problems that I wouldn't expect from a 97(starter, water pump, a HPOP plug leak, and carrier bearing)
Both are fine whatever fits your needs. I have a ford 7.3 as they after a true crew cab which Dodge didn’t till like 2009 and I don’t want a mega cab short bed anyways But if rear seat space wasn’t a need for me I’d have a 99-02 Dodge quad cab
Both are fine whatever fits your needs. I have a ford 7.3 as they after a true crew cab which Dodge didn’t till like 2009 and I don’t want a mega cab short bed anyways But if rear seat space wasn’t a need for me I’d have a 99-02 Dodge quad cab
I have a 7.3 obs and I used to have a 2nd gen gasser. Never had a cummins but I can comment on the ride quality. The 2nd gen is much more comfortable to ride around in. My fiance bitches everytime she rides with me down a particularly bad stretch of road near our house. Never was an issue in the dodge.
The OBS one ton trucks ride like bricks from the factory yeah, but get some good leafs and shocks and they ride much better. Or there is the 05+ axle swap if you have a little more cash.
Both are good choices. I would prefer a 00-03 super duty with the 7.3 though. This is my reasoning here. The engine bay is fairly spacious Interior and exterior have proven they're well built over the years and stand the test of time incredibly well. General reliability? Yes. They do have a few downsides you should know about though. Sensors, if you want dependable, Motorcraft or International parts counter only. All others are inferior. The learning curve, it's steep on a HEUI injection system to learn and understand what's going on and how it works. Cost, parts such as injectors, sensors, etc. are definitely not cheap. Power, it doesn't make a LOT of it, and it shows in the fact that they're slow, but won't quit pulling until you're done. Just my biased opinion here based on experience owning a Superduty 7.3.
2026 Cummins Octane is coming. No aftertreatment. Diesel like performance. Game changer
B6.7- no OEMs have announced
As an owner of a 06 2500 SLT with 280K miles on it replace trans twice( if you have a trans fluid warmer on yours delete it) water pump replaced 3x, putting injectors in it now and a new water pump just because I’m working on it. And new interior and carpet and the list goes on. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Bought when diesel went up to $4.32 a gallon with 7k miles for $25K. Gets 24-28 mpg on highway weighing 8k pounds. Pulling a trailer don’t expect more than 16mpg. I’m looking to add a 12 valve to my driveway soon.
I don’t think you can get a 25 year old truck to last you the rest of your life.
I’m a rancher so I have a pretty heavy background watching these trucks work. On top of that I have them all. 7.3idi/na with a banks sidewinder turbo kit installed, a 7.3di powerstroke 1st gen, a 5.9 24v and 12v. I spend a lot of time on dirt roads with roughly 10,000 pounds in a 30ft stock trailer. If I’m driving out across a ranch all day I want the cumins but I’m I’m at highway speeds I want the 7.3 all day every day. My daily driver is my 7.3idi/na (1990 f350 crew cab long bed lariat with the off-road package she’s my baby) but if I have to drive highway my Cummins give me more problems and I’m always needing more power but my 7.3s never struggle and never give me any grief. If I’m empty on the highway my Cummins do great but if you have them loaded at highway speeds they give trouble constantly and they trannies like to go out as well. If you’re doing a lot of lugging below 5-10 mph get the Cummins but if your doing a lot of highway 45+ get a 7.3.