TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

i am looking at a 92 3/4 ton with a cummins and was wondering if this would be a good year to get
i don't have any experience with dodge diesels so i don't know if there are years that were better than others or worse than others or what
any help would be greatly appreciated

Depends on what your planning on doing with it. If it were me, Id look for a 94 or 95 dodge. The fuel pumps are alot better and stronger, and the 5 speeds are alot better and stronger in these years, and the engines are incredibly easy and cheap to bomb if you wanted. Id stay away from any auto tranny in the dodge also.

Is it an auto or manual? The tranny and gearing options are very poor in those years except for 1993 IIRC, which recieved a new trans option.

The standard 5 spd in the early trucks is a Getrag, it is weak and breaks easily behind the Cummins that is modded much at all, from what I hear.

The Auto isn't all that bad but it's a non OD 3 spd with something like 3.07 gears. Meaning rough acceleration while towing and not so great mileage do to no OD.

THe 1994 and later trucks are a lot better. Improved engine and fuel system, more power, and a lot better auto trans.

The standard 5 spd in the early trucks is a Getrag, it is weak and breaks easily behind the Cummins that is modded much at all, from what I hear.

The Auto isn't all that bad but it's a non OD 3 spd with something like 3.07 gears. Meaning rough acceleration while towing and not so great mileage do to no OD.


The only problem with the getrag is that the recomended oil capacity doesnt properly lubricate the front bearings in the trans, causing them to wear out and generally take an input shaft with it. Overfill the trans by a quart and its fine, there are alot of people running big power through them, there is at least one guy on TDR running over 600 RWHP through his getrag and is using a rotary pump.

IIRC the overdrive auto came in late '91, but it did not have a lockup converter, which meant poor mileage.

There is no "g" in Cummins. :):doah:rotfl

it ended up being a 94 the guy had the wrong year listed and it has an auto

Thats a good year. Just remember that the tranny probably wont stand up to power upgrades or heavy towing. There are things you can do though to beef it up. Let us know what you do!!!

Sounds good, a much better year with a completely different truck. The auto should be fine in most cases.

i hope it works out have to talk with my brother this will be replacing a 95 f150, 4.9, 5 speed i bought with my brother so if it works out we will sell this and buy the ram
nothing wrong with the ford just would rather have a diesel and can't afford both, too many vehicles as it is

"The Auto isn't all that bad but it's a non OD 3 spd with something like 3.07 gears. Meaning rough acceleration while towing and not so great mileage do to no OD."

I just picked up a 92Cummins last month and it is pretty good thus far. One thing though, you said they don't have OD, but mine does from the factory. It has a push button on the dash next to the button for the Cargo Light......am I right??? I know nothing of these trucks yet, but I learn pretty fast. I will try to get a list of the items the last owner tuned up on the truck....

You'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge on 1st and 3rd gens.:doah: This is an old thread. I think your trans should be a 518, which does have overdrive but with no lockup. Does yours have lockup? I think they renamed the auto in '94 the 47RH. I think the 3spd auto 727 and super tall gears were thankfully only limited to '89 and '90. Is yours a 92 or 92.5? I heard the later 1992's are intercooled.

You'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge on 1st and 3rd gens.:doah: This is an old thread. I think your trans should be a 518, which does have overdrive but with no lockup. Does yours have lockup? I think they renamed the auto in '94 the 47RH. I think the 3spd auto 727 and super tall gears were thankfully only limited to '89 and '90. Is yours a 92 or 92.5? I heard the later 1992's are intercooled.

I will have to check, I didn't even look for the intercooler!

yes, it is intercooled...

Glad to hear!waytogo

89-early 91 had the 727,3.07 gears and no intercooler. 91.5 got the intercooler,A518 trans, better gears, different head, injectors, and turbo. The A518 is just a 727 with a O.D. unit bolted to the back, it also does not have a lock up t/converter just like the 727. 94 was the first year for the "new" bodystyle, and the 47re trans.

94 was only available in a single cab!!!!!!

89-early 91 had the 727,3.07 gears and no intercooler. 91.5 got the intercooler,A518 trans, better gears, different head, injectors, and turbo. The A518 is just a 727 with a O.D. unit bolted to the back, it also does not have a lock up t/converter just like the 727. 94 was the first year for the "new" bodystyle, and the 47re trans.
Not to be anal, but....47RH was in the 94 & 95. Then they went to 47RE(mostly just electronics in the valve body) in 96 until 04 or so when the 48RE took over.

So the consensus is ..no lock up converter in '92, correct? Went looking at a 92 today (W250CC) and thought the TPS may be bad because of no lock up and the cruise control not working. Looking for another 5 speed but I just might pick this one up. Rust free out west truck, LE package, 3.54's some aftermarket locker in the Dana70, aftermarket stereo, and only 200xxx something miles on her !

So the consensus is ..no lock up converter in '92, correct? Went looking at a 92 today (W250CC) and thought the TPS may be bad because of no lock up and the cruise control not working. Looking for another 5 speed but I just might pick this one up. Rust free out west truck, LE package, 3.54's some aftermarket locker in the Dana70, aftermarket stereo, and only 200xxx something miles on her !

How much?

$7k "OBO"

not bad, I might actually be putting mine up for sale pretty soon. Dang bills are just too high and it doesn't look like I'll be towing to Moab anytime soon. Dang Jeep still isn't done....

nevrenufhp- no problem thanks for the correction.

Is it an auto or manual? The tranny and gearing options are very poor in those years except for 1993 IIRC, which recieved a new trans option.

The standard 5 spd in the early trucks is a Getrag, it is weak and breaks easily behind the Cummins that is modded much at all, from what I hear.

The Auto isn't all that bad but it's a non OD 3 spd with something like 3.07 gears. Meaning rough acceleration while towing and not so great mileage do to no OD.

THe 1994 and later trucks are a lot better. Improved engine and fuel system, more power, and a lot better auto trans.
what is a getrag? i have a 93 one ton and is on the 4th tranny [5 spd man]

The ole gut-rag 5-speed tranny was a lil weak! But if ya drain it and put syn 5W30 back in, it will quit down, run cooler and shift a lot smoother!!!! I was able to get 450,000 out of a 93 dually with a 3.5 diff 5speed hauling horses, hay and campers and a lot of horse shoes and trail rides. I still miss my 93. Cisco

The 1st gens are bad about the vacum lines under the battery tray leaking and causing the cruise control to malfunction!!waytogo