Shoving a diesel engine into a pickup truck and putting it onto the market wasn’t anything new in 1989. Both Ford and GM were selling diesel units, and Chrysler had even done it themselves in 1978, utilizing a 3.9L Mitsubishi diesel inline six. But compared to the 6.2L Detroit Diesel unit in GM pickups and the International indirect-injection units sold in Fords, the Cummins was lacking glow plugs, had direct injection, a turbocharger, and a torque rating that started at 400 ft/lbs and would only continue to grow from there. Adding the Cummins 5.9L inline-six to the Ram lineup was a smart move for Chrysler…the Ram, which was viewed as dated (it’s design dated back to 1972) suddenly saw sales gains that carried the truck like up to the 1994 overhaul.

You might have noticed that Chad’s been perusing the classifieds lately, finding all sorts of neat GM units that are honestly good selections. Nothing against Chad at all…but he made a remark recently about how I don’t like any “normal” Mopar product. Well, Chad, this one is for you, boss! This 1989 dually is my idea of a dream truck: simple, sorted, clean and ready to work. I like the “first gen Cummins trucks” because of their simplicity: basic dashboard, basic interior, basic body parts, built like a brick outhouse, and unabashedly a TRUCK. Not a sedan with a bed, a no-shit truck. I like the 1994-2001 Rams a lot, I think they will be future classics, but unless you found a six-speed, 24-valve dually Ram that hadn’t been driven through the ringer, you would have a hard time telling me to walk away from this truck. The only knock I have against it is that it’s a 727-equipped model, but a GearVendors unit will answer any issue I’ve got about Interstate driving.

eBay Link: 1989 Dodge Ram D350 Cummins Turbo Diesel