interested in puting a 12v cummins in place of my 318.its a 85 ramvan.i took the 318 727 and np205 out of a 85 d250 3/4 ton. this has ben in for years.everythings converted already .it has 3.73 10 bolt gm axles w/lockers being the front shaft is on pass side.i already know im going to have to beef up the suspension and put at least 3/4 ton axles,get new driveshafts made.etc.
ive found a few 12v attached to 727 and np205 t cases. i need to know wat my excursion is going to be on #1 trans crossmember .will i have to move it? #2 engine mounts. are they the same? do i need conversion mounts?or should i just weld in in the crossmember off a donor truck?
i kno im going to have to finagle the doghouse and firewall.and im pretty sure i will have to do something with the radiator or a electric fan
any help is appreciated


thank you
jim

p.s i already posted this in diesel conversion ...no answers. my basic question to make it easier is, will a 12v cummins fit in a 85 d250 in place of a 318 ?wat mods need to be done?

 

the swap i did in my 82 dodge 150 was the easiest one i have ever done. radiator to fan is the hardest. i used 90 diesel engine mounts and they bolted to the 318 frame with no changes. using the 3 speed tq i just slotted holes in rear mount. the rest was normal engine swap procedures

 

Will you need to wear earplugs to drive it? (just seems like it'd be really loud)

 

Turn the radio up.

 

lol im making a total custom doghouse.my 318 is frigin loud. headers n cherry bombs .i was thinking pretty much a steel box that will stretch to between the seats and open like a cabinet from the top and ports from the side. then pad the sh## out of it and vinyl wrap it. kinda like a doghouse in a cabover. good to hear though . i really didn't want to be welding in new cross members.

thanks
jim

 

Thats gonna be awesome!! Make sure to take lots of photos and post them here, I'm sure i'm not the only one wanting to see this.

 

Pictures, definitely. And some heavy axles, as you mentioned- those 10 bolts probably wouldn't last through the test drive.

 

the 10 bolts barely supports the 318. def be posting pics for you guys!.im going with chevy dana 60 front and dana 70 rear.plus i want on board air.w/ tire pressure monitors.you guys would love the interior too . it seats 9 total .2 benches (folds into queen bed) ,3 captains chairs.it has a toilet,fridge,and sink.it has a breaker box and plugs inside just like a camper.has a 24 in flipdown dvd tv.the 2 front captains are heated. im doing the interior rite now so i dont have any pics yet.all in black Naugahyde .

ill get back with pics
thanks for all the help guys!

jim

p.s if i wanted a hummer id ask your sisters

 

I've done some in-depth sleuthing on this conversion.
The 1st gen mounts will work and using a 727 gets you away from crossmember issues on the tranny.

The biggest obstacle is the cowl area under the dash.
It hangs low enough that you'll either need to hack on it to clear the valve cover, or drop the engine an inch.

Then there's the problem of valve lash maintenance on the front 2 cylinders.
I figure dropping the engine and cradle down to run the valves once every couple of years isn't such a hassle.

As far as radiator clearance, I'd considered front-mounting, Ala-Imperial style, and notching holes through the core support for the coolant hoses.

I have an older Dodge F-400 chassis (1 ton "can nose" Chassis Cab) I've toyed with this idea on and it's doable, you just need to have the skills and willingness to do it.

Mine was to get a 5 or 6 speed.

Mark.