What to look for in a donor truck? - Dodge Diesel

TWX · 10-05-2009, 06:40 PM

I'm putting together info for my diesel conversion for my '82 crew cab. So far the consensus is to use a donor truck for as much as possible rather than buying individual components.

What should I look for in a donor? Body is irrelevant as I'm going to make the '82 look like an older D-series rather than like an '81-'93. I'm planning on remaining 2wd and I'd also like to go with an automatic. What kind of mileage is acceptable on one of these engines, assuming it's been maintained? Are there any concerns for automatics, and in what years? I've noticed some ads mentioning that they come out of OD, should this be a big deal in terms of repair costs?

More importantly, since all I want are the drivetrain and the associated fuel delivery stuff, am I limited to '89-'93 for donors, or would something newer provide me with most of what I'd need? If so, how new?

Free89W350 · 10-05-2009, 06:49 PM

If it were me I would look for a early 2nd gen with the p-pump and a 47rh lock up trans. But if you want the ve motor I would say try to find a 93 2wd auto with fairly low mile's (around 150k or less)

dzl_damon · 10-05-2009, 07:53 PM

Like said, I'd get a P pump and the 47RH as well. Tranny is much better since it's lock up.

However, don't be afraid of the in/out overdrive. It's a simple fix for $10 with the potetiometer fix that replaces the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). That was from 91.5-93 (A518 tranny).

gadget.35-06 · 10-05-2009, 08:24 PM

Look for a free one.

PapeCAT · 10-06-2009, 01:05 PM

I found a nice 1991.0 for 900 but I had to reseal the whole IP. But the engine runs great and had about 225K. I'm running it in my crew cab right now.

johny5 · 10-08-2009, 02:53 AM

I would say that if you want to keep the early style grill to go with a non- inter cooler 89-91

TWX · 10-08-2009, 01:10 PM

I'm not opposed to some modification to make an intercooler fit, if it's any help. I know that on the V8 trucks there's a big adapter to move the radiator closer to the engine, so I assume that the Cummins gets a shorter radiator adapter and a different setup to allow an intercooler to fit...

PapeCAT · 10-08-2009, 01:57 PM

What I had to do is fab up a shorter support. Or the adapter off of a diesel Core Support by drilling out the spot welds.. The guy whom did the 1975 D200 Cummings swap was able to fit the larger radiator INSIDE the gasser adaptor with some assistance from a plasma cutter... His write up is pretty good. You have to look at the home page link with IE not Firefox though for it to work for some reason...

http://web.mac.com/rctscanadainc/75_...cooler.html#20

Here is the write up on DTR:

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/d...t-t120483.html

10-05-2009, 07:53 PM	#3
dzl_damon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 1,812 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Like said, I'd get a P pump and the 47RH as well. Tranny is much better since it's lock up. However, don't be afraid of the in/out overdrive. It's a simple fix for $10 with the potetiometer fix that replaces the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). That was from 91.5-93 (A518 tranny). __________________ -93 W350, auto, DRW, 210k. Screw lengthened, DDP 45lpm, DennyT II, 366, full gauges, Borgeson, timing 3/16", 4" unique exhaust system, dual batts, maxi fuses, PS I/C, Cooler Tubez, HE351CW, 3/8" lines/4601HP lift pump. -89 D250, auto, 83k, utility bed, very clean. 2,000hr military IP, 4" exhaust, free mods -09 Jetta TDi, Malone stage II and DSG tune -10 Kawasaki KLR650 -83 Kubota B8200

10-05-2009, 08:24 PM	#4
gadget.35-06 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lancaster, Ca. Posts: 534 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Look for a free one. __________________ 06 3500 DRW QC 2WD G56 Big Horn; bright silver w/ cab-high Skaug body, Valair DD, SuperChips 3805, K&N, Magnaflow. Nothing Runs Like A Deere...With A RAM in Hot Pursuit! Gone to a new owner whose dreams have yet to implode as did mine: 1991.5 D350 DRW, all stock and pushed hard for 538,000 miles.

10-06-2009, 01:05 PM	#5
PapeCAT Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orangevale, CA Posts: 2,254 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I found a nice 1991.0 for 900 but I had to reseal the whole IP. But the engine runs great and had about 225K. I'm running it in my crew cab right now. __________________ 2012 3500 CCLB SRW G56 4x4 1973 Ford Courier Crawler

10-08-2009, 02:53 AM	#6
johny5 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: langley bc canada Posts: 156 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I would say that if you want to keep the early style grill to go with a non- inter cooler 89-91 __________________ building 85 crew cab short box 4x4 93 12 valve 5 speed (Ad removed signature violation)

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10-05-2009, 06:49 PM	#2
Free89W350 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pen Argyl Pennsylvania Posts: 1,536 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	If it were me I would look for a early 2nd gen with the p-pump and a 47rh lock up trans. But if you want the ve motor I would say try to find a 93 2wd auto with fairly low mile's (around 150k or less) __________________ Ryan 95 VW Golf VR6 5spd 89 W350 RIP gone but not forgoten *PADTR #15 Member* Other Rides 05 GMC Z71 Lifted 65 Barracuda (in need of restoration)

10-08-2009, 01:10 PM	#7
TWX Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 35 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I'm not opposed to some modification to make an intercooler fit, if it's any help. I know that on the V8 trucks there's a big adapter to move the radiator closer to the engine, so I assume that the Cummins gets a shorter radiator adapter and a different setup to allow an intercooler to fit...

10-08-2009, 01:57 PM	#8
PapeCAT Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Orangevale, CA Posts: 2,254 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	What I had to do is fab up a shorter support. Or the adapter off of a diesel Core Support by drilling out the spot welds.. The guy whom did the 1975 D200 Cummings swap was able to fit the larger radiator INSIDE the gasser adaptor with some assistance from a plasma cutter... His write up is pretty good. You have to look at the home page link with IE not Firefox though for it to work for some reason... http://web.mac.com/rctscanadainc/75_...cooler.html#20 Here is the write up on DTR: http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/d...t-t120483.html