I want to put a diesel in a Durango. Anyone ever heard of doing that?

 

Never seen one, but nothing is impossible if you have enough $$$.

 

I'd love to do that!!
I think the 4 BT is the right way to go.

 

Exactly what I was thinking j-fox!!!! Great minds think alike!!!!

 

Personally I would think about the Sprinter engine and five-speed auto trans. Nice common-rail (quiet) engine, great fuel economy, and a reduction in weight over the V-8. Going to be an expensive project any way you look at it.

 

Thanks for the input. I was hoping to find a good Durango (bad motor) and a wrecked Ram (good motor) and swap all needed (including electrics, etc.)parts over. Any ideas as to the best direct swap potential?

 

Are you talking about an older Durango? You would probably want to beef up the front frame to handle the weight of the Cummins if you decided on the 5.9

 

Jeff Garmon in Atlanta has done one as well as Gale Banks.Banks has been in the news for he holds the land speed record,222 MPH.This was driven to Salt Flats and back.SETDR.ORG has Jeffs address.Good luck on the project.

 

Durango = SUV

Dakota = Baby Pickup.

Both the Sidewinder and Jeff Garmon's were Dakota's.

Small difference.


phox

 

Not really, the dakota and durango share all the same under pinnings, and have identical front end specs. The older ones anyeays, the newer ones are set a little farther apart, but the cummins will fit nicely in the durango!!

 

4BTA would work good, 30mpg wouldnt be that hard to achieve with some tunning with gears and cruising rpm. I'd make it a 2wd, since your already trying to save some economy and it wouldnt be a mud slinger i'd stick with 2wd w/ low stance so it cuts the air better.

 

Sorry I missed the Darango part,But having talk to Jeff about that it would work if you can find a place for the radiator.This iis why they have in the bed because no room under the hood.I have thought of doing it my self ,the radiator would be roof mounted.The look may be strange but have also thought of a double roof.

 

heavier motor.... needs better brakes and what was that other recall on the durango front ends??? upgrade them as well ...stiffer springs/ shocks to compensate for hte weight.... why not take the duarngo body off the duarngo frame and slap it on a pickup frame??? all your heavy needs will be taken care of, if by chance you would need to make the frame more narrow it sure seems easier thant beefing up the durango.

 

use the 3.9 instead of the 5.9..... less weight, better mpgs..... or the sprinter engine is a good idea as well......

 

Has anyone seen this swap documented anywhere on the Web? I was really surprised at the lack of information out there. I thought there would have been a lot of people doing this.