Long Time Cummins Fan- Tri Cities

[VMac822]

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, 2022 by VMac822

[JAG1]

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

[W-T]

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

[Silverwolf2691]

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.

[Mopar1973Man]

Welcome to the family...

[Threadzy]

Welcome aboard! Now that’s a BHAF! 

[Doubletrouble]

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

[VMac822]

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