Has Ram Improved The Legendary Cummins Diesel? 1994 vs 2021 Dodge Ram 2500 Driving Review 

"it shakes because it is full of life" I wish my bedroom was like that.

"I'd rather have my single cab truck then a family"😂😂 priorities first 9:50

“I heat my seats manually” +1 my friend

Can we take a second to appreciate the fact that the dash on the 2nd gen isn’t falling to pieces?

Kase, I sure hope TFL starts giving you more on cam assignments. It was really great to see you get some on camera work today. You really do an excellent job. Very intelligent well spoken guy. None of that lame stammering around searching for not so clever puns, just pure intelligent confident well spoken opinions.

Kase has built a beautiful truck for himself! Love it :)

I love that yall use Tommy and Case in front of the camera sometimes. It's refreshing to see a couple of young men's perspectives on these trucks sometimes.

One other thing you don't get with that 1994 is the BIG, GIANT truck payment!

That old 12 valves a real man's truck

I can't be the only person who smiles when I hear these old 5.9L's cruising down the road, or idling through parking lots. They make such a unique sound, I love them!

I'm with Case on this comparison, I love the mechanical nature of the 12valve Cummins Diesel engines. If I could afford one with manual transmission and in good condition I'd own one!

Love Kases truck!!! I still remember when that model came out in 94' I was in hi school..I remember the autobody teacher telling us about it..He wanted one I guess.

This is seriously one of the best TFL videos yet. Hilarious. Instant Classic just like the channel.

I have adopted that saying that I first heard Roman say "everything you need and nothing u don't" good advice sometimes.

I much prefer Kase's one. Sounds and looks awesome, it has character.

5.9 Cummins, may not have the output but it just keeps going and less complicated to work on. Maybe a better comparison would be a 2021 2500 single cab Tradesman?

Tommy and Case that was a great review comparing the old and new. Not everyone wants a new truck and Case gave a great perspective of the value of a more senior truck. Thanks guys!!!

The new engine may be more powerful, but EPA mandated garbage will doom it to premature failure.

Lol. The 5.9 is the GOAT!!!

LOL, the experience is I didnt pay $60K+ for the truck and it's still going just fine at 400k miles and never pay for DEF or issues with the EPA required systems that cost more than the first truck I ever bought.

Hello guys. Great video. I also have a 98 12valve 2nd gen. It's an auto. You guys forgot to compare millage. However I have been from the US boarder to yellow knife NWT twice with a caravan of guys all pulling our holiday trailers approximately 28 footers. I went up there with a 2014 duramax. A 06 duramax. A 06 powerstroke a 2017 Cummins. An 06 Cummins. The old 12 valve destroyed. I mean DESTROYED them all. I got 24.5 mpg pulling. Next closest was the 14 duromax with 18 mpg. Which is still good. Had alot of fun. Keep up the great content.

I'll take the 2nd gen, thank you!👍😎

here I am witha '78 eyeing up the 90's era for comfort stuff...

Well done video! It was the early 5.9 Cummins that first cemented my interest in the HD Diesel trucks, I drove an 07 6.7 Cummins and now have an 06 Duramax but I still have great admiration and respect for the 5.9.

I’d go with a regular cab. Either new or old. You should see how much time owners actually drive alone vs. with family. My experience is I’m usually driving around with myself or 1 other.

My first Dodge was a 94 single cab 5speed and it was a blast. I loved all the noises, the simplicity and dependability. My next one was a 01 24v auto. It was the extended cab with the long bed. It was nice but I always missed my 5 speed. I’m now in a 06 4 door short bed. It’s my favorite so far with all the creature comforts, heated seats, leather and sunroof. I still think of my old rattle box 94 bc I felt connected, having to shift and pay attention to rpm’s. Maybe I’ll get a 4th Gen manual next to get back to my roots. I know a lot of people avoid manuals bc of traffic and ease of towing but there’s something about being in total control of the drivetrain and shifting through the gears listening to the turbo spin. Good video and it’s cool to see just how far trucks have come in terms of comfort.

Very nice comparison between old and new. 👍

Cool truck Kase! Best friend still has his one owner 94 12V (Colorado truck). Lost the 5th gear nut on a trip to Lake Havasu one summer. We crawled from Mojave to Havasu with him running near redline in 4th gear. Fun times. They still use it to tow their boat when they tow their fifth wheel with his 08 3500.

That ole B series sounds amazing going through the gears.

Im surpised this video, nor does this channel have as much attention as I would think it would. Great questions and great responses, and also great trucks lol

I love the old trucks. I have a 1998 GMC at 325k miles. And I just bought a 1996 Dodge Ram 5.9 Magnum at 305k miles, club cab. theyre both work horses, reliable and when there is something to fix or upgrade, both of these trucks are easy to work on! I refuse to buy a new truck like that 2021 Ram 2500 due to the amount of electronics, sensors and reliability on computer boards for that truck to operate on! I am just gonna keep getting older and older trucks.

Great comparo and great banter, guys.

I enjoyed the rumble of my old 6.5. Pleasant rumble/Humm going 65 down the highway from the lake at night it'll put you to sleep.

My wife and I took her 2018 Ram 2500 Crewcab Tradesman 4wd 6.7L on a 6,200 mile trip in September. We went from did a loop from Southern Calif to North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Iowa, Broomfield, CO, and back home. Her 2500 is mostly stock. Uses Rotella T-6 5w40 synthetic motor oil. A Wix air filter, for high flow with full filtration. A PPE transmission oil pan, with Hot Shots Secret transmission oil treatment added to 68RFE. Also added a steering brace from Rough Country. The diff gear ratio is an overly tall 3.42 with 33" 275/70-18 stock tires. I would have preferred the G56 transmission. But my wife said this is the last vehicle she would buy. And being 63 at the time, shifting may not be so easy in 20 years or so. She had traded in a 2014 Ram 1500 Crewcab 4wd 3.6L. Only had about 15k miles on the truck before the trip. A huge difference over the 1990's truck is fuel economy! We averaged 26mpg. With tanks running from 24-28mpg. And the beastly Cummins motored up the Smokey and Rocky Mountains. Like they were little hills. Any diesel of any vintage. Can gain better fuel economy. Quieter operation, with good power. By using Hot Shots Secret EDT (Every Day Treatment) in every tank of ⛽ fuel. Only an ounce or 2 per tank, for smoother power. I have a 2016 Ram 1500 Quadcab 4wd 3.0L Ecodiesel. The EGR is a terrible thing. The 3rd generation Ecodiesel engine has the EGR take gases from AFTER the DPF and EGR. And it works much better. The Cummins engine seems to be running very clean. My Ram Ecodiesel will probably be replaced by a Ecodiesel powered Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator. Because on the few days we travel over snowy or icy roads. The 1500 with the ZF 8-speed and the Ecodiesel, is a smoother more stable vehicle. But in BEAST MODE, for towing our 27ft travel trailer. Or our 7x16 loaded up cargo box. The VGT engine braking is much stronger on the Cummins. Yes the Ecodiesel has effective engine braking. But Tow/haul mode must be selected to even notice it!

Couldn't get me to go with new. I drive a 95 12V daily, I love it always.

Grandpa bought a red long bed extended cab with an automatic around this time. They had a huge heavy trailer, and the early GMT400 Chevy with the 454 he got to tow it couldn't handle it without overheating. He apparently deliberately blew the 454 deliberately, made them warranty the engine, and then traded it in on the Ram. Ram never had a problem, and that was the truck that convinced me I preferred turbodiesel trucks to cars...

The great thing about the 2nd gen trucks is they came with massage/vibrating seats stock it wasn't an expensive option.;) Not to mention they naturally kept the driver awake and off the cell phone or at least shortened the call.

Great video! I have a 6.7 but miss my 5.9. I regret selling it.

The 2nd gens pulled way more than just 12,000 my dad pulled 42,000 with his second gen with a makeshift dump trailer and he weighed in at the khoury and it was 42k

Engine noise is not a con. That 12v sounds amazing

Part of the charm of driving in a truck with the Cummins in it is to hear the clatter of the engine and the whistle of the turbo.

Excellent video guys. Really enjoy all the 2nd gen Dodge Cummins content.

I also like the interior and cloth /fabric seats. I have a 2003 tj and we have some things in common, including tastes.

In Oregon the 12 valve is exempt from emissions because it's a farm implement

"I'd rather have a single cab than a family." I have both friend. It can be done.

The best two automotive guys on RU-vid!

I wish Ram 2500 diesel trucks had better payload ratings. My gasser is over 3k, diesels I found were a little over 2k in payload.

Yes bring these two back!!! Good job guys!!!

I will take the old gen 2s any day of the week.. If you stuck a quarter in the truck of what a new truck costs you can build a hell of a truck!

Your truck has a cool factor new trucks don't have... :-)

Try standing next to a 4th or 5th gen when they are doing a regen. I guarantee that in a few years they will find out that it is just as bad or worse for you than the diesel smoke.

Love the stick shift, hard to find nowadays, great for theft prevention

You guys should do a build of a new regular cab 8 foot bed truck from the big 3. Not a fleet vehicle. But some creature comforts. See what it would cost and how long to wait for it to be built!! Try to get the same extras on each.

When I bought my Duramax I searched for clothe seats. 90% where leather. It was allot harder then I thought it would be to find. I agree clothe is nicer then leather. Also you really dont need heated seats if its clothe.

Ah to be young we tolerated a lot of inconvenience because something was "cool" but sooner or later everybody grows up 😁

Shoutout to Namaste Solar in Boulder Colorado! Amazing company and their van can be spotted at 19:35

Great comp Tommy

Kase's truck will still be going down the road in 30 years unless wrecked. The new one will need 10's of thousands in electronics work to remain running.

No manufacturer make manual transmission any more I miss them my 02 dodge Cummins is the first truck I've owned with an automatic transmission it's real nice in L.A. traffic I wouldn't change it love the rumble of that 5.9 24v Cummins

The new ones are beautiful, but you can't beat the sound of the old one

NOTHING sounds more agriculture than a 6BT! CUMMINS forever!

1:40 When you hit a pothole at speed but it's too late.

Hmmmm, the last time I checked, Ford's Powerstroke was made by International and Chevy's Duramax was made by Isuzu.

12 valve with a manual, FTW. Aesthetically, nothing beats the late 80's W-Series trucks. I love diesel noise. I had an '18 F150 diesel and even with an intake and a 4" exhaust, it sounded like a Carolla. That's gone now. Looking for a 12V manual.

GM does not build the Duramax, the Duramax is built by Isuzu

Cummins and Dodge developed the engine together. Buisness partnership. It's been a pretty successful partnership. Same as Cummins partnership with Kenworth, Peterbuilt etc...P.S. I can sleep in the crew cab rear, haul all my gear inside on the flat floor an arms reach from me.

Kaise, dynamat the roof, back panel, floor and passenger side of the firewall. it'll feel more solid

Kase get it. 12v forever. A 2nd Gen, 12V, 4x4 Ext Cab short bed 5 speed is one of my dream rides, but it's near impossible to find. Either beat and rusted, or super high mile, or super high price. I am not giving up. I'll find one!

Love that 94!

I had a second GEN best truck I’ve ever owned sounded AMAZING

15:55 Kase and cassettes-AWESOME.

I still have my 96 2500 4x4 lb that I bought new now with 380,000 miles. I still love it and installed 2013 12 way seats so it is comfortable. I also have a 2014 Ram Laramie 4x4 lb crewcab w/ 70,000 miles. I have my 4wheel pop up camper on the 96 and double tow my travel trailer w/ a sea doo w/ the 2014. I love the exhaust brake in the 2014 but the 96 is a cruiser on the freeway. My wife doesn't like my old truck or the popup camper so I use it on my own, usually going up to the Lost Coast. I have Geno's garage sticker "No, My Truck is NOT for sale" on my tool box that my wife sees each time she parks in the garage 😎

Case if you’re in Washington you need to come see me! I have a 97 12V Extended Cab Manual with a bunch of work that I’ve done to it. Complete front end is being finished up as we speak and its white just like yours! Also good choice on the AFC Live!

If you drive a dodge with an automatic transmission you will get to put a transmission in it at some point. That's one of 2 things that were not exactly what I wanted when I settled on the truck I'm driving now. 05 Ram 2500 4x4, 4 door, 5.9 common rail, automatic. The other thing that I settled for was color. Didn't really want another white truck. 6 years and 100k miles later haven't had any major issues. Just some routine maintenance stuff.

You have no idea how incredibly lucky you are. I've been shopping for a manual cummins for over 15 years and yet to afford one. If you lived in the northwest, you could sell yours for at least 25k. It's a game for the uber rich nowadays.

I personally hate the adaptive cruise control. If I tell my truck to do 65, I expect 65. Not whatever the guy half a mile ahead of me is doing.

Ill still keep my 2nd Gen dodge club cab Sounds sweet and everything. It’s a true truck and will be on the road longer then any newer truck

Case has and has built a nice truck, not a Dodge fan but that's a Dodge I'd love to have. The new diesels are emissions to death. Sweet truck Case good job on it.👍🏻

I daily a second Gen with a 12 valve…so I’m very much bias. In terms of looks, I absolutely love the first gens, I can convince myself to tolerate the second gens, anything else, you can keep it. The tow rating…well…I think we all know everyone sees that 12,000 pound tow rating, says ‘burn on that’, throws a helper leaf on it and does what they want. I know, towing for farmers, I’ve daisy chained 5 hay trailers and hauled it around and the truck loves every second of it. As for the transmission, I wouldn’t mind a 6 speed NV5600 instead of my 5 speed NV4500, and I wouldn’t mind the top gear being geared a little higher, but towing, I’d have the manual any day of the week. Firstly, it’s my preference, secondly, I can chose what gear I need to be in better than any TCM, and, I can downshift. Furthermore, if my 12 valve breaks, which isn’t very often, chances are I can fix it with a hammer and a crescent wrench. If that electronically plagued and emission plagued 6.7 breaks, which it will do a whole lot more often than a mechanically driven 12 valve, you’re not fixing it unless you’ve got a Snap-on solus, a programmer, and 6 hours of labor to throw at it. As for having a vehicle with 200,000 miles, well, I’ll put it this way…it made it there for a reason, and it’s barely getting warmed up. Cummins said ‘this engine is designed to go 350,000 miles without needing any major work done to it.’ At 200,000, that engine still has 2 rebuilds and at least 500,000 miles left in it. Had an ‘08 6.7 come into the shop the other week with 220,000 miles. It needs 3 or 4,000 dollars worth of work. And when that work is done, it’s gonna drive for a little while and need another 4,000$ worth to fix some broken emissions component.

I just want one for Reliability, idc if it makes 200hp as long as it runs im happy

Pulling that old truck from a second-gear is so badass.

Second gen is simple but still kinda modern. Basic enough for me without all the complex new truck stuff. Happy with my radio, ac, power windows, And cruise control. Simple to fix

The difference is that he can buy his truck, a nice boat, fishing equipment, a sports car all for the price range that new truck...

Hurst does make aftermarket shifters for trucks that are short throw. Saw one that perfectly replaces the shifter on my ranger that moves about 4" gear to gear and really snaps into place. Stock one moves a good foot from gear to gear

Most commercial Straight trucks on the road today run the 6.7 cummins in them and yes even some of the heavier fords and chevys if applicable. The cummins diesels in my opinion are probably the most versatile of all three diesels.

2nd gens are nice but I like the 3rd gen looks better.

I have a 92 w250 regular cab long bed, i'd take it over anything modern many times over. Sure it's loud and not as comfy but it feels like a truck instead of an suv. 330k miles and counting.

Ram doesn't have much to do with Cummins. Cummins is a separate company, that has partnered with Dodge for the last 30 years. Cummins engineers the motors them selfs. Cummins only supplies the motor and the turbo. I know the air filter/box and pipe to the turbo is Rams, the Exhaust is all Rams. I think Cummins sells the EGR crap to Ram with the motors. Cummins is still the best Diesel on the market. Cummins is the primary reason Ram sells as many Trucks as it does.

Thought a ‘94 was just an older truck. Didn’t realize that was already 27 years ago which now considers it a classic vehicle

I finally found a 2018 tradesman with the g56. It’s the greatest trick I’ve ever owned and it’s soo fun to drive. Now I’m gonna start some minor mods. Wheels and tires. Airbags. Lighting and Expediton equipment. It’s gonna be my truck forever cuz I love it d so much. I’d love to get front and rear lockers. Any idea how difficult that will be out the cost?

Great job guys.

I believe duramax is a gm licensed engine made by Izusu. I think navistar/ international makes Ford diesels too

Those that don't know to start this truck in 2nd have never owned this truck. Top speed in 1st with the 4.10's is like 9 mph 😂

I’d like to see the 2021 ram when she rolls over 250,000 miles and the receipt’s for all the work done on her!!

Kase, doesn't your truck have intermittent wiper control? If I had a choice to own Kase's truck or the new one they have there, I'd honestly have to think about that for a while. Great video content, folks, well done!

I think diesel's are supposed to be loud. I have a 97 and it runs great.

Tommy likes the new new. Maybe we found something that Tommy and Roman have in common finally.

I have to admit, that to this day, in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks the 12v Cummins can make the best noises. I love the sounds that ENGINE makes, to me it is mechanical bliss. Yes, I am weird like that but I love hearing a vehicle work. Makes me feel more one with it as I drive. Edit: Not having all the extra junk means you actually get to enjoy the driving experience, and that is a dying thing... Enjoying the drive.

Love my 3rd gen 5.9, just wish it had an exhaust brake

GM doesn't build their engine in house. It's built by a company called Dmax in Ohio thats owned by Isuzu and GM. The engine is designed by Isuzu and called the 8GF1 in Isuzu applications.