BY JOHN CAPPA

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS AND BY DW STAFF

BEST DIESEL TRUCKS TO BUILD

If you’re in the market for a diesel truck to modify, aftermarket support and overall durability are what you should be looking for. With so many different drivetrain, suspension and chassis changes over the years, it’s hard to know which model-year truck is the best to start with.

Well, we have simplified it for you: We have come up with the top-five best diesel trucks you can build up for work or play.

You’ll be quick to notice that none of our selections is any newer than 2007.5. The OEs were extremely competitive in the diesel market, beginning in the late 1990s and into the 2000s. By 2007.5, federal emissions laws required more cleanerburning diesel engines.

The OEs responded with a host of new technologies, including exhaust particulate filters, diesel exhaust fluid systems and more. These systems and their associated electronics are far less accepting of aftermarket performance parts than the much simpler engines prior to 2007.5.

1994–1998 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 5.9L CUMMINS

This is really the truck that started the diesel wars. If you hate wires and other electronics, the 12-valve 5.9L Cummins is the only truck engine you’ll even consider.

The mechanical P-7100 fuel pump is virtually bombproof. This engine has the kind of dirt-simple technology and durability you find in an old bulldozer. With a little help from the many different aftermarket parts available for it, the engine can be easily modified to make more power and torque than stock. The earlier, square-body Cummins trucks have a similar engine, but they don’t enjoy the same aftermarket support. Watch the exhaust gas temperature on modified engines, because excessive heat will damage the exhaust manifold and cause leaks. Heavy-duty aftermarket manifolds are available to remedy this problem.