Cummins Hosts First-Ever Homecoming Rally for First-Generation Dodge Ram Trucks
Nearly 100 first-generation Cummins-powered Dodge Ram trucks caravaned to Cummins' Columbus plant as 180 owners celebrated the truck's legacy.
- nearly 100
- Roughly 180
- more than 20,000
- 41 years and counting
What Happened
Nearly 100 first-generation Cummins-powered Dodge Ram trucks caravaned along I-65 in Columbus, Indiana, on the morning of June 4 to Cummins' Columbus Mid-Range Engine Plant (CMEP). The convoy was part of the first-ever First-Generation Homecoming Rally, a four-day event that brought roughly 180 Cummins owners and enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada to Indianapolis. Attendees toured Cummins' facilities — from CMEP to the Cummins Technical Center (CTC) and the Corporate Office Building (COB) — and saw the 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine production line in real time. For many, the day was a bucket-list chance to connect with friends, fellow enthusiasts and Cummins employees.
The original B-series engineers won over Chrysler to develop the midrange engine for pickup use.
The engine was developed into a true pickup platform, launching the Cummins-powered Dodge truck.
More than 20,000 Cummins-powered Dodge trucks were sold — double the highest projections.
First-generation Cummins-powered Dodge trucks rallied in Columbus, Indiana, touring Cummins facilities.
A panel discussion with three of Cummins' original first-generation B5.9L engineers stood out. Mike Schubel (former Product Leader, B-Series Mechanical Development Group), John Bush (former B-Series Design Leader and later CMEP Chief Product Engineer), and Jeff Lewis (former B-Series CPE Emissions and Performance Development Engineer) shared how they solved engineering challenges, including matching transmissions with a more powerful engine and converting CMEP to an engine plant to meet demand. They recalled annual field-test 'Nuke Trips' to the western U.S. for extreme real-world validation. Lewis remains with Cummins after 41 years as an HHP Certification Leader at Seymour STC, representing the second of three Lewis generations at the company.
“Listening to Mike, John and Jeff share what it took to bring the 5.9L to life was something special. Theirs is a story of grit and perseverance — a team driven to deliver the power and performance customers were after. For our guests, it was a rare look behind the curtain and a first-hand account of a timeless product, and the people who changed the industry forever.”
“The enthusiasm and loyalty of legacy owners speak volumes but so does the dedication and history of excellence of our people behind every engine. For nearly 40 years, our employees have designed, sourced, built and sold products made to withstand the test of time. That commitment to dependability is who we are – and it’s what keeps customers coming back, day in and day out.”
Cummins and Ram's partnership in the 1980s revolutionized the pickup market, and first-generation Dodge Ram trucks have earned a devoted following, becoming highly valuable and sought after. The trucks' popularity has grown through appearances in movies, TV shows and customer social media. At the rally, each truck carried its own story; many owners have kept theirs since high school, through graduations, weddings and family milestones. Others brought freshly refurbished and restored trucks, ready to rack up new adventures. The event underscored a commitment to building products that last a lifetime — or two.
Why this matters
The rally celebrates the 1980s Cummins–Ram partnership that created the diesel pickup category and a devoted following. First-year sales of more than 20,000 trucks — double projections — show how a niche engine became a cultural icon. For owners, employees and the Columbus community, the event highlights the brand's endurance across generations.
Terms in This Story
- B5.9L
- A 5.9-liter diesel engine from Cummins used in early Dodge pickup trucks.
- CMEP
- Columbus Mid-Range Engine Plant, Cummins' engine manufacturing facility in Columbus, Indiana.
- Mid-range engine
- A diesel engine in the 5–7 liter class, used in medium-duty trucks and pickups.
- HHP
- High horsepower; a Cummins classification for large engines used in heavy-duty applications.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.