Sun Wizard has been helping me with Dodge questions. Here's a whole thread about Cummins.
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/ev...=984106432#984106432

Thought I'd like a Dodge, but there are few Dodges around NC. More F250 Country. Found one.
http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/1336418770.html

Would love diagrams of who's converted that era F250. [Sun Wizard's Dodge diagrams are tough to beat.] Also the good news and the bad.

Here's what I wrote. Much Thanks!

Posted 26 August 2009 11:47 PM
Thanks, Sun Wizard ... say, if you can't get a Dodge (and they're not all that popular down here), then how about a really solidly maintained 1989 4WD F250? Probably 190K.

The good: No computers. No rust, new IP, new (and tight) clutch and friction plate, recently replaced brakes all around. $2500 but will try to get to $2250.

Drives out really solidly at highway, turns tight, no drips in 20 minutes of sitting and watching. not quite "disposable" but more truck than the price suggests. I just wonder if it's as good a candidate as the Cummins, probably not, but the IP is right there. And the lift pump is under the passenger's side bottom. Haven't scoped out the returns and all that, but they've done bunches of these.

The bad: AC compressor needs replacement but I have a shop in mind and winter's coming on. Driver's side seat a little ripped, but I have a shop. Paint needs work, one fender pulled slightly, but I work with a high school that does body for paint+20%. I sense "good things" from the current driver.

Appreciate all the help.

Question:
Is the 1989 F250 as good a platform as the 94-98.5 Cummins?

Choices:
Dodge is easier install and maintenance
Ford is easier install and maintenance
Dodge is more stout and worth the wait
F-250's are solid platforms and parts are cheaper in NC

 

Install is about the same amount of work on either. The Ford is higher maintenance since the stanadyne IP is the weakest one available and often fails about every 75k. Search on stanadyne for many threads where people have had troubles and to get some ideas of ways to lessen the problems.

A non-turbo model will have much less power.