F250 cummins conversion....why?
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F250 cummins conversion....why?
Folks. I'm zeroing in on my ideal truck which seems to be a 79 - 86 250 cummins conversion. Today I woke up and asked myself why I don't just buy a dodge and skip the conversion process. Beside looks, I don't know why I wouldn't just do that. Is there a mechanical or structural reason why this is such a desirable engine in these trucks?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Melbourne, Ky
Well, First off, welcome to FTE. As for the cummins engine, it is a very good engine. Structurally, Ford has all of them beat. Dodge has a weak front end. The control arms that hold the front axle in place are pitifully small when compared to both Ford and GM trucks. I have never done the swap. But, you don't hear of anybody putting a PSD in a GM or Dodge truck or a Duramax in a Ford or Dodge. I think most do it simply because it's a project for them, a challenge. Nothing wrong with that. It boils down to one thing, What do you want? Only you can answer that. In the end, it's your truck, and you're the one that has to take care of it.
You can get a lot more power out of a cummins for a lot less money than you can a PSD.
You can get a lot more power out of a cummins for a lot less money than you can a PSD.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Ford should have held onto their portion of cummins. If the cummins had been factory available in a ford chassis, GM and Chrysler would have abandonded all hope of selling trucks.
My *personal* opinion, the cummins the only thing to come from a chrysler plant in years worth owning. The problem is, it came attached to a rather lousy chassis........
I'd love to have an older 12V Cummins in a F250/F350 with the old school styling like my '80 F150.
My *personal* opinion, the cummins the only thing to come from a chrysler plant in years worth owning. The problem is, it came attached to a rather lousy chassis........
I'd love to have an older 12V Cummins in a F250/F350 with the old school styling like my '80 F150.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Oh yeah, I know that. I didn't say they were built by a chrsyler plant, just shipped from them.......
I was driving Cummins and Cat powered trucks long before dodge ever had a diesel pickup. I pretend to have never driven anything with a detroit, but the truth hurts......
I was driving Cummins and Cat powered trucks long before dodge ever had a diesel pickup. I pretend to have never driven anything with a detroit, but the truth hurts......
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
LOL. At least it was an 8v92 and modded 13 speed (top 2 flipped). Running empty, you had to back pedal thru the lower 6 gears, or rear tire wear was very pronounced.........
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great info
Many thanks. I knew there was a reason - and hoped there would be many! I love the way those old fords look but my wife would have my ***** if all I could say was, "I looks so much better".
Next question - where is the best place to find one? I'm reading that most people find older trucks on craigs list and/or ebay and buy the truck just for the parts (or at auction, or wherever). So far this has been my direction. Is there another channel that I'm not aware of yet? Can I buy one direct from cummins? Is there a better year than others for those 79 - 86 years?
Next question - where is the best place to find one? I'm reading that most people find older trucks on craigs list and/or ebay and buy the truck just for the parts (or at auction, or wherever). So far this has been my direction. Is there another channel that I'm not aware of yet? Can I buy one direct from cummins? Is there a better year than others for those 79 - 86 years?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
The cummins 12v (6bt) was also used in many other applications, such as RV's and delivery vans/trucks. They also have a 4cyl version called a 4bt that was used in many forms of delivery vans/trucks.
The early (pre-94) dodge trucks had weak suspension and frames, so it's typically not hard to find one that is suffering from the tire sag, and buy them cheap. These are great finds for doing a swap, since the chassis is basicly toast, and has most everything you would need. Finding one with a decent body also adds a source of recovering part of your investment, thru parts sales.
Salvage yards can be a good place to find engines, but they usually want a premium price for them.
The early (pre-94) dodge trucks had weak suspension and frames, so it's typically not hard to find one that is suffering from the tire sag, and buy them cheap. These are great finds for doing a swap, since the chassis is basicly toast, and has most everything you would need. Finding one with a decent body also adds a source of recovering part of your investment, thru parts sales.
Salvage yards can be a good place to find engines, but they usually want a premium price for them.
Trailering
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
From: ARIZONA
The cummins 12v (6bt) was also used in many other applications, such as RV's and delivery vans/trucks. They also have a 4cyl version called a 4bt that was used in many forms of delivery vans/trucks.
The early (pre-94) dodge trucks had weak suspension and frames, so it's typically not hard to find one that is suffering from the tire sag, and buy them cheap. These are great finds for doing a swap, since the chassis is basicly toast, and has most everything you would need. Finding one with a decent body also adds a source of recovering part of your investment, thru parts sales.
Salvage yards can be a good place to find engines, but they usually want a premium price for them.
The early (pre-94) dodge trucks had weak suspension and frames, so it's typically not hard to find one that is suffering from the tire sag, and buy them cheap. These are great finds for doing a swap, since the chassis is basicly toast, and has most everything you would need. Finding one with a decent body also adds a source of recovering part of your investment, thru parts sales.
Salvage yards can be a good place to find engines, but they usually want a premium price for them.
1973 F250 Cummins 5.9 Gear Vendor Overdrive
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