kprc51

Morning All,
New to the board. I currently own a 2001 ram 1500 sport. For a while now I've wanted a Dodge diesel but the prices here are outrageous.
I do have access to wrecked/salvaged Dodge trucks as well as my technical knowledge in doing conversion work and repairs is I would say better than average. Never a full truck conversion though.
I believe the gimmick if having a Cummins diesel between the frame rails of a 1500 Sport Offroad would really be something unique. And to be perfectly honest, I truly would enjoy this kind of a project.

So here is the $30,000 question. Has any one done a Cummins Diesel drivetrain swap into a 1500?
The wiring or any of the fabrication isn't my concern, the biggest thing at this point, would be the physical dimensions of the engine/trans/transfer case assembly. Also any front end weight/ ride height issues.
There was a cover story in last issue of Diesel Power where a guy dropped a Cummins into a Dodge power wagon, most of you propably have read it.
No towing would be involved, so i'm confident the front and the rear gearing should be up to the torque, I hope.

Any input or comments would be really appreciated.

Thanks all,
JR

whitebuffalo

its not easy, but it has been done
http://www.pavementsucks.com/forums/...hp?topic=85784

daysel

Sounds cool.
The new engine and drivetrain will weigh alot more. You'll have to also get heavy springs and suspension.
Wonder how much the 5.9 ctd weigh.
Keep us posted.

1-2-3

Definitley willhave to beef up the front end, and rear. The stock diff. will never hold a Cummins.


Wy do you thinkit's easier/cheaper to retrofit, than to just buy one? A good used one can be found for a steal if your patient, shop around, and do some homework. It's how I got mine.

4x4dually

To each their own, but what good is a cummins in a half-ton shell? Heck, the 3500 chassis can't even hold up to the brute force of the motor for the long haul. Are you just wanting the diesel for the cool factor? Diesel is higher than gas right now and if you are putting it in there for the power, the little 1500 will never hold up. Good idea for a show-off truck, but not real practical in my mind. Not tryin' to rag, just thinking it would be better to sell the 1500 and buy a 2500 with the same milage and comfort and be way ahead on price. Heck, buy the wrecked truck and clean the motor up and sell the motor as a long-block and you'll probably make the difference in buying the new truck. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Tate

Talk to Jughead. He put a cummins in an older half ton (I want to say 82). He's got some good info on it. Would definitely be a cool project.

2500

good grief! this guy take a 1500 4x gasser and transplants a 2500 CTD drivetrain into 1500....

gmctd

First compare the frame dimensions 1500-2500-3500 to get an idea of the necessary strength and rigidity required, particularly if you're building a street truck.

If you're building a drag truck, then the weight difference would give you the advantage - until you went thru the tech inspection

Also, your mini-4wd components would shred like that famous breakfast cereal, along with the snap-crackle-pop of that other famous breakfast cereal.

You'll need the Dana 60-70-80 NP241DHD stuff and driveshafts.

Page 82 in this month's Diesel Power shows a 1/2-ton drag-only truck set up with a Cummins - pretty neat, and check the massive smoke he's blowin' as he's layin' down the power.

And how 'bout all that smoke pourin' outta that DMax as he breaks the 10-second barrier.

Oh - sorry............the smoke is from that Dodge in the top picture, shown smokin' a hole in at least one of his pistons, from high EGT's.

kelownadiesel

cummins weighs 1100 lbs by itself I hear

gmctd

5.9 - 930lbs

Flywheel, clutch, pressure plate - 90lbs

NV4500 - 187lbs

Clutch housing - 21lbs

NV5600 w\clutch housing 397lbs

47R-E\H - 247-287lbs, depending on t\c

Hydroboost - 35lbs

Radiator\charge-air cooler\misc - 100lbs

NoSeeUm

I think it will likely eat the rear differential very fast.

Jim

GatorRam

Call Jef Garmon. He's got one and he also built one for Joe Webb at SunCoast. I got to go for a ride in it last time I was up there and it's pretty sweet. These are 3rd gen. trucks with 12v motors though.

nitrousn

Thats your first mistake. Used cummins parts dont come so cheep in salvage yards. My advice is sell what you have and buy what you want. You will have a lot less grief and headaches.

HotRod82

While I am usually up on these types of projects, I can't get on board on this one. The wimpy axles, spindles, wheel bearings, etc. to me make it a bad deal. Especially 4wd, I think you need everything as beefy as you can get.

REF>Lancer

That fella that White Buffalo Linked to could have bought 2 diesel trucks with all that crap he hung on that poor lil 1500.Seems to me he has too much time (and money) on his hands