Hello all, Vaughn MacKenzie here.  Probably know or have met some of you guys over the years.  Been on NW Bombers and Turbo Diesel Register for 20+ years.  A few years ago something interesting happened. We were in S. Idaho chasing the UP 844 steam engine and stopped to grab a bite to eat at a restaurant.  When we were there we spotted a Ram in the lot with a big Mopar1973 window sticker.  Hmmm. Sure enough we found out it belonged to the man himself! It was great meeting Michael, we had a really nice visit.

 

I have owned quite a few trucks, all 2nd and 3rd Gen.  Let's see, in order:  

 

1998 24V LB CC 4x4 5-speed (1999-2000)
2001 QCSB 4x2 6-speed (new Mar 2000 to 2003)
2003 CCLB 4x2 6-speed (new Mar 2003- 2004)
1996 CCLB 4x4 5-speed (2004-Current, 494K miles)
1998 12V CCSB Auto (2006-2011)
2001 QCSB 4x2 sport Auto (2009-2012)
1998 24V CCSB 4x2 auto (2012-current)
2007 5.9 CCSB 4x2 6-speed (2019-2021)

 

Next month will mark 10 years since I picked up my current truck, which I drive quite a bit.  Love the truck and have no plans to part with in.  It shares daily driving with my Mercedes.  I've done quite a bit to it over the years but the wish list remains very long.  Currently have a Smarty on it but I have an Adrenalin in a box that will be going on soon.

 

Next project is the Big Stick 3 cam I have in my garage.  Hope to get started on that in a few days!

 

 

Edited April 26, 20223 yr by VMac822

You always took great care of your trucks. Glad to hear you met MoparMan. Welcome to the forum.

Mr MacKenzie...Wow, what a blast from the past, good to see you...welcome aboard.

Welcome to the forum!

 

Gorgeous truck!

 

When you get the Quad, remember to drop back to stock in the Smarty... otherwise you will be fighting tuning profiles.

Welcome to the family...

Welcome aboard! Now that’s a BHAF! 

 Welcome! Nice truck! Looks like you've done a couple mods. Lol

Thanks everyone.  Been off for a while, busy with foster kids and doing a cam upgrade on my truck.  Lot of work for an older guy LOL.  I have the Big Stick III installed, now to getting everything buttoned up.  Did the first test fire Tuesday, she's sounding good.

 

I replaced the tappets using a different technique. I jacked up the engine and pulled the oil pan. Probably more work than the conventional method, but it was fun to take a look at the bottom end and swapping tappets is super easy that way. And putting in the new cam was really easy, while my son pushed it in I laid under the truck and used a dowel to push up on the end so it could hit the holes on target.  

 

Since I had the pan off I went ahead and threw in a block stiffener, Cummins PN 3941556.  I thought with a 53 block why not, but I was going more for possibly reducing some noise.  It does not tie in the mains, that is a lot more involved since they require studs and align-honing the mains, but the price was right. . .$306 from Source One in Los Angeles.   Anyway will create a new post once I get my truck back on the road and give overall impressions.

 

https://s1partscenter.com/brands/cummins/cylinder-block/cylinder-block-stiffener/3941556