Diesel conversion?
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 70
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From: Sacramento
Diesel conversion?
I have been thinking about the idea of converting my truck to a diesel. My questions are:
What modifications would i be looking at?
How much would i have to spend?
Which motor would give me better gas mileage than my 460 but still have good power?
Is there a place where i could get some more info on the conversion?
Thanks in advance if anyone can help.
-Tim
What modifications would i be looking at?
How much would i have to spend?
Which motor would give me better gas mileage than my 460 but still have good power?
Is there a place where i could get some more info on the conversion?
Thanks in advance if anyone can help.
-Tim
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
Cummins is your best bet. Lighter than a V8, lots of torque, and fuel efficient. I am doing a 5.9 Cummins now, she is a tight fit but can be done. I geared up from 4:10's to 3:55's. Had to lose the midship tank for the NP 205 t-case. Running a Dodge 46RH overdrive trans with the help of a t-case adapter from Advanced Adapters in CA. FordCummins.com can give you alot of advice. Some guys don't like them and reccommend another outfit in Great Falls, MT. Cost could be a couple grand if you do it yourself or 6-8K if you hire it done. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 286
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From: Medford, Oregon
A 5.9 Cummins is not lighter than a V8, at about 1100 lbs, but does get great mileage. Be sure you're equipped for a project of this magnitude, its a bunch of work and lateral thinking. On a 2wd, the steering links will be right in the way of the oil pan, you'll have to cut and reinforce at least the front cross member under the engine, build or adapt your front and rear mounts, either replace the fuel tank with plastic or maybe some pour in liner to keep the zinc out of your fuel system. It'll make the swap alot easier if you find a complete vehicle to get the Cummins out of, lots of little parts add up to big dollars and it's far simpler to modify a part to work in the new application than it is to buy or fab new ones. My donor 97 Dodge Ram 2500, with 307K miles cost me $4600, but it was a driver for about six months before the swap. Also do a little research, stock for stock, the 97 P-pump that came in the non-California trucks originally equipped with a manual trans made the most power with the simplest most reliable fuel system. But the newer common rails stomp those older motors (at the cost of complexity, and as a result reliability) Figure out what you want before you buy. Research, research, research. I've got about 5500 miles on mine since the swap, and love it!
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