Well guys, my original intent was to get a loan for 5,000 and do a cummins 12v swap into my truck. I had it all figured out, i was going to do my solid axle swap first with money I had saved up, and then use the loan to pay for the engine swap...... But then I forgot that I had to pay my insurance in late December. So 750 dollars later, I am a little short for my axle swap and now I am going to use part of the loan to finish that project. So to get down to the point, I am looking for some advice. I have layed out my options.

1. finish front end conversion and then use the rest of the loan for the swap hoping I have enough money to complete it. the swap would include obviously a 12v cummins, for a transmission, an NV4500 with an aftermarket 400/800 clutch, and all necessary other odds and ends to finish it like motor mounts, exhaust, and drive shafts.

2. Finish the front end conversion and then do the work necessary to my engine to make the power I want, and do a manual swap. Upgrades would include stage 2 injectors from rosewood, DP tuner, 6.0 inner cooler (dirt cheap for me) exhaust (duel flat cut stacks) and maybe a turbo and Hpop if I could find it in the budget. The manual transmission would also need a clutch IE. 400/800 south bend or larger.

3. Listen to what people have to say on this forum

Ps. My current truck is a 1995 F250 diesel with 280,000 miles on it. It has at least one bad injector and another one about to go out the door. I Also feel like the tranny is about to go. I have every receipt from when the truck was purchased and I see nothing about a tranny rebuild ever happening.

 

How are you getting a cummins for 5k? I need a friend like that! If you can do the swap for around that much, get it DONE!

 

1995 12v engine with turbo 1200 off the shelf at a local truck yard. Guaranteed working or they will give me the parts needed for it to be fixed

 

I say finish your frnot end and build your engine

StageII 1200
HPOP 450
Turbo and mount 1700
Pushrods. 300
E-fuel. 500 maybe a little cheaper
IC. 500 or cheaper

 

Sounds like a decent deal on the cummins. If you want more than 500 hp the swap will make that amount easier to obtain. ( both will be expensive to get that much hp ) if you would be happy with anything under 500 keep the stroker and build it.

 

Taking out a loan to buy parts for a truck that is not DIRECTLY tied to earning you money (simply getting you to work and back doesn't count) sounds like an unwise decision to me.

 

It is a way for me to gain credit at a young age. This thread is not here for criticism. I am looking for credible opinions, not a mother.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I had my truck 2 years now. Only mod I have is a afe intake. Just saves enough for gauges. I will be building my truck slowly. IMO this loan could hurt u more then it worth.

 

Hey man IMHO keep your stroker and just upgrade it as you go. Everyone can make good hp with a cummins. It takes talent to do it with us. Finish axle first

 

Whoa buddy, no ones giving you criticism. We consider the guys around here friends, and i dont know about you but if my friends think im making a bad decision, I'd like their opinion. Doesnt mean you have to follow it, or even like it.

Now that said, I've been considering doing the same thing. Im just starting college and need to build my credit as well. I've talked to my parents about it. My cousin did the same thing, except to buy a car, and paid his off and now has started to build his credit. I may do it once my school/work situation stabilizes.

About your post, I would keep the stroke. For the money, you could do a lot and get more power versus have a cummins with stock power.....

 

I could go on a long time about credit but I'm not your mother. Good luck with whatever you dicide to do. I wouldn't mine doing a cummins too.

 

I think you need to finish the axle swap first because no Cummins or built stroke in the world will run the truck with an unfinished axle in the first place. Do what you need to make that happen.

From there I would figure out why you're paying $750 in insurance. Hopefully thats not monthly. Not a lecture here but just trying to help you save some money here if its possible. Mine went up and up through my last carrier because too many OTHER people were making claims in my area. I don't have a single ticket or claim, ever. (knock on wood) I said BS and switched to another carrier. I'm paying $89 a month now(for everything I own) after switching carriers for my truck, a built 2004 Wrangler, 2005 Truck Camper, and a car trailer all with full coverage. Even if you only save 40 bucks a month, thats parts money.

From there I'm on the fence about how I would build your truck. Cummins are king and a great swap for these trucks I'm told but not without their own problems, especially from a junkyard (unless you've torn that motor down to the block) You've described the problems with your own motor so I have no doubt you know exactly what you have it.

Like some others have said build the stroke and put a manual behind it. Finding a donor truck for the manual trans if possible, would make this easier.

 

Just trying to help. No offense intended.

 

Hey if taking a loan out gets you the truck that you always wanted go for it. think of it 5000 is nothing compared to the price of a new truck.

 

Take it easy young fellow, hold your horses.

All here want to help ppl.