69.5CUDA said:
dont the cummins dodges have a stouter frame than a stock truck?....you just got me thinking...a cummins in a 70s ramcharger
Not necessarily. Here's my understanding:
1st gen '89-'93 The diesels are stronger. In fact, there was some sort of recall done to strengthen them.
2nd gen '94-'02 The 1 tons are the same, gas or diesel. The 3/4 tons are weaker for the gas burners than the 3/4 ton diesels.
3rd gen '03-current ALL diesels, 3/4 ton or 1 ton, are the same. The current ones are also easily the strongest. A short ride over a bumpy road will convince you of that, as you can feel the tightness in the structure of the truck vs the older ones.
To anyone considering putting a cummins in something that it didn't come in, bear this in mind:
It weighs between 1000 and 1100 lbs dry, complete with all accessories. That's JUST THE ENGINE. The lightest transmission I know of for them weighs 250 lbs, without the clutch. The autos are probably heavier.
This weight will most likely make a mockery (and origami) of any dodge 1/2 ton front suspension and steering setup. Remember the problems the older dodges had ('72-'93) with the frame tearing where the steering box is? The vans had it too, and I've seen it on both several times. It will literally rip the area of the driver's side front frame loose. Apparently that part was not strong enough to resist the forces acting upon it from the steering box over the years. I've welded and gusseted up several myself when I worked in a muffler shop.
The frame is inadequate; the brakes are inadequate; the normal wheels and tires are inadequate. The frame can be made strong enough if you're decent with a welder. I guess you could change over to 1 ton springs and front end components, assuming the mounting points for the control arms and such are the same. I don't know that they are, I'm just guessing.
Even a set of springs for a 440 truck will probably sag, maybe just enough to give it a good stance. A diesel motor and trans combo probably weighs at least 500 lbs more than an equivalent 440 and trans combo.
Oh, the rearend. Your ramcharger did not come with a rearend adequate to withstand the torque these things can put out. Your ramcharger was not even AVAILABLE with a rearend that can take it. Not doing any real towing, or even dragracing.
An 8 1/4 won't cut it.
A 9 1/4 won't cut it.
A dana 60 won't cut it.
A dana 70 HD will probably cut it.
A dana 80 will cut it.
If you want to do it for mileage, do yourself a favor and get a 4bt instead. That's the 4 cylinder version of the same engine-just a 5.9 with two cylinders whacked off. It "only" weighs what an all iron 440 does or a little more. That's a much more manageable package, especially when it comes to putting it in. The length would be easy to deal with, vs a 5.9 which I'm 99.9% sure is longer than a slant 6. If you manage to find one with the inline injection pump (called a p pump, the 6 cylinder version is the bosch p7100 pump) all the normal hotrod tricks for the 5.9 will work. Fuel plates, governor spring kits, etc. It should all go right in. I'd think you could make 250 hp and 500 ft/lbs or so without too much trouble, using the 4 cylinder.
