I did a search but didn't see the info I'm looking for (I'm sure it's there I admittedly didn't read every post).

Is it easier to swap a cummins into an existing crew cab frame or to swap a crew cab cab onto a frame (obviously a 1st gen) that has a cummins in it?

 

It can be done either way. Most guys get a doner truck and swap over everything. Cross members, axles, suspension, all the wiring harness, usually he front door so they have power everything. Everything is bolt in, just take your time. The other option is the one I did. I took a single cab 93 and stretched it 34" between the cab mounts. And the crew cab will bolt right up. You would need to lengthen all your brake and fuel lines And drive shafts. Also the electrical. Its not a bad job. This will make a crew longbed. If you want a short bed you can mount a crew short bed on an extended cab frame but requires channeling the cab floor for the frame rails because of how the frame humps up and down. There are tons of crew builds on the forums. The search key is your friend. I'm sure val will chime in before long. He is kinda the king of crew conversions

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Dono about King but I can pretty much tell you step by step how there done . To Me just buy a donor or send me your crewcab and i'll convert it for you . There Easy to do . and I have templates set up to make thing's easier also Send me a PM if you like I'de be Happy to help you or Do it for you either way .

Val

 

I appreciate the replies guys. Val I'm in Florida so if you weren't so far away I'd for sure come see you.

I'm mostly exploring options right now. My current 2nd gen club cab is a great truck but does need some engine work and my family is rapidly outgrowing it. I'm leaning towards just getting a 2003-04 3rd gen later this year but want to see what else I might be able to do for the same or less $$.

I know I could fix up my engine and spend $1K-6K depending on what's needed and then use it for a donor as I have a good transmission and the motor shouldn't need much (I'm thinking valve job mostly if I were to dive into it). I've seen late 70's early 80's crew dodges go for $1K+ in the area so then it would be just the matter of finding one that's not going to require much other than the swap itself once I get my engine at 100%.

I'm figuring I'm going to spend around $12-15K whichever way I go it's just a matter of do I want to do the work (older crew cab swap) or just have a payment for a couple years (3rd gen).

I almost wish there was a way I could turn my current truck into a crew cab...even if I just cut the back end off my club cab and have another club cab grafted on (done right). I don't need '4 doors' I just need the space.

I passed over a 2nd gen crew cab when I bought this truck because it needed a lot more work. There also a 2nd gen crew cab (3 doors...no rear door on driver side) in my son's school car line...so I know it can be done and has been.

Decisions decisions.

 

Well I just so Happen to have a Longbed Crewcab that I will be converting this next few Month's I will PM you more info so we don't plug up the Post .

Val