The Cummings 5.9 6BT & ISB 12v and 24v engines are considered to be some of the most durable designs ever used in light trucks and agricultural equipment. The series of engines was first installed in the Dodge RAM trucks beginning in 1989. The 5.9l Cummins was in use up until the introduction of the 6.7l 24v diesel engine that debuted for MY 2007.5. One common part to replace or upgrade as these engines get older is the turbocharger. We found the best turbo for 5.9 Cummins options for the various different turbos you’ll find. Stigan produces the best aftermarket replacement whether you are changing the turbo out on an early 6BT engine or one on the later high-output 600 ISB series engines (>>> Check on Amazon).
- Stigan Turbo
- Tuningsworld Turbo
- Stigan Turbocharger
- BuyAutoParts! Turbocharger
- MSQ-CD Turbocharger
- BlackHorse Racing TurboCharger
Best Turbo for 5.9 Cummins – Top Picks:
| Stigan Turbo | Tuningsworld Turbo | Stigan Turbocharger | BuyAutoParts! Turbocharger | MSQ-CD Turbocharger | BlackHorse Racing TurboCharger | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  | |
| OEM Part Number | 05086863AA 14030060-101, 14030060-102 14030060-103, 14030060-104 14030060-105, 14030060-106 14030060-107, 14030060-108 2T-304 3599810 | 3599811, 3599810, 4089392, 4035044, 4955452 | 14030106-101 14030106-102, 14030106-103 14030106-104, 14030106-105 14030106-106, 14030106-107 14030106-108, 14030106-109 14030106-110 | 14030106-101 14030106-102, 14030106-103 14030106-104, 14030106-105 14030106-106, 14030106-107 14030106-108, 14030106-109 14030106-110 | R5143256AA | ER26508 |
| Vehicle applications year | 2003 and early 2004 | 2003-2007 | Late 2004, 2004.5, 2005 - 2009 | Late 2004, 2004.5, 2005 - 2009 | 2004-2007 | 1999 - 2002 |
| Price | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon | Find on Amazon |
Dodge used different turbos on different variations of the 5.9l Cummins. You’ll want to research the particular turbo on your truck before buying a replacement to make sure that it will actually fit and function correctly. There are at least three different designs that are not interchangeable.
Stigan Turbo for 2003 & Early 2004
This is a brand-new turbocharger unit that replaces the original Holset HY35W. Stigan designs, builds, and tests these turbochargers to ensure they are a direct fit replacement for your Dodge truck, schoolbus, or tractor. Stigan casts the housing with thicker flanges and housings to provide enhanced durability.
Each turbo is fully balanced and precisely milled to enhance efficiency and performance. Stigan turbochargers use K19 Inconel impellers to provide even longer lasting performance over standard K13 Inconel impeller blades.
This turbocharger includes everything to install it on your engine. It even fits with aftermarket exhaust. While it isn’t marketed and designed to increase power, there is a good possibility that this turbo will give your Cummins engine more boost than stock due to the high manufacturing quality control processes in use by Stigan for each and every turbo they make.
Pros
- Perfect replacement part for the original turbo charger on early standard output engines
- Doesn’t require additional modifications or parts to install
Cons
- Not intended for power increases
- More expensive initial cost than buying a rebuilt item
Tuningsworld Turbo for 6BT ISBe 5.9L Cummins
This is a budget replacement option that replaces certain models of the HY35W Holset turbocharger in use on some 5.9L Cummins engines produced from 2003 through 2007. This one is specifically for the ISBe version of the Cummins engine that was exported to Europe and other non-North America markets. It is intended only for use on 5.9L engines using common rail fuel injection, but does not have variable vanes, wastegate actuators, or provisions for emissions sensors.
This turbocharger will not work on Dodge trucks using a wastegate actuator solenoid, so if your truck has one (all US trucks do), this is the wrong turbocharger. Most of the time this turbo will be appropriate for farm equipment and overseas trucks.
The turbo is a 100% new design that does not use refurbished parts. It is designed to mimic the original HY35W Holset turbo that has no sensors or wastegate solenoid, so it isn’t appropriate for use in North American trucks.
Pros
- Cost efficient way to replace non-US turbo chargers or turbos on agricultural equipment
Cons
- Not the right part for most trucks
Stigan Turbocharger for HE351CW 2004-07 H.O.
This is the best option on the market for a factory replacement of your turbocharger for the High Output version of the 6BT 5.9L Cummins diesel engine using the HE351CW turbocharger. This is a 100% brand-new turbo that features improved design to provide a more durable, better performing product.
This turbo uses thicker housing dimensions and highly accurate milling to ensure that it not only fits easily but works better than stock. The improved design allows this turbo to produce more boost, more power, and to operate at a quieter volume than the stock turbo.
Unlike many turbocharger replacements that include the wastegate actuator solenoid, this turbo comes with a pre-calibrated solenoid, saving you time and money after installation. K18 Inconel impellers provide extended durability over factory K13 Inconel impellers.
Pros
- Perfect fit turbo that is easy to install and get your truck back on the road again
- Significantly quieter than factory turbo while providing noticeable power increases
Cons
- More expensive than budget options
BuyAutoParts! Turbocharger for HE351CW H.O.
Here is another excellent aftermarket option for replacing the worn out turbo in your 2004.5-09 Dodge RAM truck using the 5.9l Cummins diesel with the wastegate actuator solenoid and emissions sensor. This design is intended to meet or exceed factory requirements to provide a durable, efficient turbocharger for your truck.
This kit includes everything you’ll need to install the turbo on your truck in very little time. It includes the actuator that is pre-calibrated to ensure fast and easy installation without extending the downtime. It is engineered to handle aftermarket power upgrades for even more power than stock.
The turbocharger carries a C.A.R.B. number making it one of the only replacement turbochargers legal for use in California. Keep in mind that you won’t notice a difference between other products, but your truck will not pass smog inspection in the state unless it has the C.A.R.B. number.
Pros
- Somewhat more affordable than Stigan with similar quality
- One of the only replacements that carries a C.A.R.B. number
- Excellent choice for adding power through other modifications
Cons
- Not many reviews of installations to tell if it lasts for a long time
MSQ-CD Turbocharger for HE351CW 2004-7 H.O.
This turbocharger is a low-cost option for replacing a worn out turbocharger on ISB high output motors that use a wastegate actuator and an emissions sensor. This is a common turbo for US-model Dodge RAM trucks, motorhomes, and agricultural equipment sold in the US.
This turbo replaces the factory turbo and advertises a possible increase in boost pressure of 5-7 lbs. The company that produces the turbo says that this design is capable of handling as much as a 40 horsepower increase over stock without failing.
Severe-duty journals and bearings are built-in to provide longevity and allow the turbo to handle modifications you might make to increase power output from your engine. This is a good option if you need to get a truck running, but don’t plan on keeping it for very long as this turbo has a nasty reputation for exploding in only a few months, often destroying the engine in the process.
Pros
- Low cost option for quickly replacing a defective part that keeps the truck from being driveable
Cons
- Numerous reports of products shipped missing parts, improperly assembled, damaged, and failing within months
BlackHorse Racing TurboCharger for Early 5.9l Cummins
Those of you who have the earlier engines before the switch to common rail injection and other options now also have an option for replacing the HX35W turbo found on some US models built between 1999 and 2002.
This turbo will let you take your stock engine up to 270 horsepower with other modifications and won’t detonate. These turbos use an internal wastegate with no actuator or sensor. The turbo uses only 100% new parts so you don’t have to worry about long-term reliability from used patriots failing.
Unfortunately, many buyers have experienced issues with this super-low budget turbo, most likely as a result from poor quality control and improper casting techniques when the turbo is manufactured. Several buyers have experienced premature turbo failure, detonation, and total failure of the engine.
Pros
- Cheap part compared to other options
Cons
- Numerous reports of catastrophic failures including detonation, explosion, and impeller failure that can destroy the engine
Conclusion
Replacing the turbocharger on your Dodge RAM 2500 or 3500 truck that has a 5.9l Cummins diesel engine doesn’t have to be a struggle. There are many good products available that allow you to easily replace the turbo so you can get your truck back on the road. After doing our research on these turbos, we found that overall, spending a little extra and getting the turbochargers built by Stigan is going to be the best option in the long run for you to have the durability and reliability that you need from your truck.