1985 Dodge Ram Cummins D001 Development Truck
D001: The First Cummins-Powered RamThe relationship between Chrysler and Cummins is one that has a rich history, and it all began with a simple 1985 Dodge Ram D350 Prospector. This two-wheel-drive, single-cab, longbed pickup started its life with a gasoline V-8 engine, and no one knew when it was built that it was destined for greatness. Once in the capable hands of the engineers and mechanics at Cummins, the original powertrain was tossed aside in favor of a 12-valve, rotary-pumped, inline-six diesel engine. The rest is, as they say, history.
If you wanted to buy a diesel pickup in the early-to-mid-'80s, the options were pretty slim. You either got a Chevy or GMC with a naturally aspirated indirect-injection 6.2L V-8 that labored to produce 130 to 143 hp and 240 to 257 lb-ft of torque or—if you were a Ford fan—you could have an International Harvester–sourced 6.9L V-8 that made 170 hp with 315 to 338 lb-ft of torque. However, if you were looking to do some heavy hauling, it was far more likely that a big-block gasser was the truck of choice. "What about Dodge?" you ask. At the time, they were sitting on the bench all alone, with no diesel or big-block gas engine options to speak of.
Correspondence between Chrysler and Cummins began as early as 1983. In 1984, Cummins delivered a nonworking mock-up engine to Chrysler for its engineers to test fit, and shortly thereafter, the truck now known as D001 arrived in Columbus, Indiana, for Cummins to install a running version of its 6BT engine. Fitting the diesel engine was no small task. The radiator had to be moved forward 4 inches, the fuel system was completely changed, a stronger drivetrain was installed to handle the increased torque, a heavier front suspension was put in place to support the added weight, and the list goes on. Cummins had the first of the original six prototypes repowered by May 1985 and five of the six running by October.
Unlike many of today's prototype vehicles, which are often sent off to an untimely end at the hands of a crusher, the D001, and many of the other original mules, lived on long after their projects had concluded. For more than 20 years, D001 was used as a parts runner among Cummins facilities and as a shop truck for the Cummins Technical Center. Most of its life has been spent roaming the highways in and around Columbus. While a few of the original six mules have left the company through various means (a couple of the trucks were sold and one was stolen), the original has remained.
