They don’t make trucks like they used to… Or do they?
On this episode we are having fun with our Ram HD Cummins turbo-diesel trucks. Kase brings his 1994 Dodge Ram HD 2500, and I am driving TFLtruck’s 2022 Ram HD 2500. We are also celebrating 30 years of Kase’s 2nd-gen Dodge Ram heavy-duty. How do we celebrate? We take them our air strip for some drag racing and we come away with a surprise. Here is what happened. Let’s dig in!
Kase’s truck is equipped with a 5.9L 12-valve straight-six Cummins turbo-diesel. He purchased the truck around four years ago when it had around 230,000 miles. He did several engine modifications since then. The engine used to produce around 175 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, but the power number is much closer to 300 horsepower now. Kase shifts his own gears via a 5-speed manual transmission. Although he has not put it on a dynomometer. This older regular cab (two door) 1994 pickup truck has an 8-foot bed, a slight suspension lift, 35-inch tires, and weighs around 6,500 lbs with one person in the truck.
The new truck is our 2022 Ram HD 2500 that TFLtruck purchased over two years ago for a long-term review. We purchased it brand new and put nearly 30,000 miles on it since then. The truck served us a work vehicle for the first year as we were building our TFL Tumbleweed Ranch (in Northern Colorado). Next, we turned the truck into an off-roader we call “Trail Hound”. This crew cab has a BDS suspension lift, FOX performance adjustable shocks, Mopar accessories (such as side steps and a 5th-wheel hitch), AEV bumpers, KMC wheels, and 37-inch all-terrain tires.
Our 2022 heavy-duty is equipped with a 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel that is rated at 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. There is a 68RFE 6-speed automatic transmission behind it. The powertrain, emissions control systems, and driveline are all stock and unmodified on this truck.
All of the off-road modifications make our Trail Hound heavy. It weighs about 8,800 lbs with one person in the truck. We still use Trail Hound for trailer towing on a regular basis, and these off-road modification did not affect its stable and confident towing performance.
How quick are these trucks? This is where the surprise comes in. I did not expect it, but the old truck squeaks by for a win in 1/4-mile drag racing! Please check out the video below for all the details and Kase’s update on how his 1994 Dodge truck is doing.
