I have an option to pick up a pretty nice 4 door 70's dodge 3/4 ton 4x2. The only thing is it no engine or transmission. I would like to put a diesel with a manual transmission and a tranfer case in the truck. I would not SAS it for a while but it would make life easier to plan on that now. What would you guys recommend? I am looking for an engine that will pull a 5th wheel with two toyotas on it and our camping gear.

well a cummins should fit pretty easily. A 12v would work quite nicely for all your criteria except for putting in another axle. it makes it a little more difficult because the engine is so deep but if you aren't going to do it right away anyway I wouldn't worry about. Pick up a 97-98 12v with a nv4500 and you should be good to go. If you want a completely bomb proof setup use the nv5600.

-ben

I think the obvious choice is a 12v Cummins out of a Dodge, if you get a 1st gen donor truck that would make the engine swap the easiest, even with the VE fuel pump you can get plenty of power without having to conver to a P pump like the `94-early`98 trucks. The Getrag in those years(1st gen) has a bad rep when asked to tow heavy. A better tranny is the `94 and up NV 4500 but make sure it has the updated 5th gear nut, I think the factory fixed this around `96. The late model NVG 5600 six speed is supposed to be the best manual trans out there but they aren't cheap.

12V Cummins definately for ease of install and for extreme reliability. Can't remember the sister dite but go to Fordcummins.com and check out the places they have listed as places to get motors and trans. I'd say to get the NV5600 if you can afford it, otherwise NV4500 with the previously mentioned upgraded 5th gear nut but more importantly the fully splined 5th gear shaft from Standard in Texas.

Another vote for the Cummins. They make kits to swap in that motor to make it easier if you can't find a straight up doner vehicle. I think that TDR (turbo diesel register) has a forum dedicated to swaping in a Cummins. A 12V will run forever but if you just really wanted a more modern engine a 24V (non common rail) would be fine too.

Thanks guys, I think I will go back and haggle a little bit and see how little I can get the truck for and start looking for a rolled 12v cummins truck. About how much do rolled trucks go for at auction?

I would go with a Dodge V10. You will be passing those Diesel guys like no tomorrow. :flipoff2:

That sounds like alot of work. I would just buy a newer truck, with the diesel in it to begin with. the cost of the parts alone would be a good down payment and he could spend alot more time workin on the trail rig!

zukfreak, that is the big issue. I need a 4 door truck so the whole family can fit in it. But after shopping around for the past little while I know I can not afford anything newer than 10 years old. I might pass this up just looking for other options. I did find a mid 80's ford f250 diesel but its only a single cab for 1000. I can buy the the dodge with the engine still in it for 1000. Too many options not enough time or money.

12V Cummins definately for ease of install and for extreme reliability. Can't remember the sister dite but go to Fordcummins.com and check out the places they have listed as places to get motors and trans. I'd say to get the NV5600 if you can afford it, otherwise NV4500 with the previously mentioned upgraded 5th gear nut but more importantly the fully splined 5th gear shaft from Standard in Texas.

I wouldn't deal with fordcummins I have heard of several people havnig bad dealings with them. I would try to pick up a donor vehicle first if that doesn't pan out trying looking on the diesel boards for an engine. That swap is much less involved than a chevey swap due to the interchangeability of many of the dodge parts in that time frame.

Freshman I don't know what you're smoking but my cummins will smoke a v-10 all day long towing or not towing and get better gas mileage.

-ben

I have decided to sit on the truck and I think the local junk yard guy wants the current engine out of it, so I am going to let him by the truck and check back later about just buying the cab and frame from him. I am not going to get the cab till I already have an engine. Does anyone know if dodge put the inline 6 diesel in any vans? I am looking for cheap source for the engine.

No Cummins in the Dodge vans.

No Cummins in the Dodge vans.


DAMN DODGE!!!I thought that might be the source for the cheap diesel engine.

My father just rolled his 91 and I bought the salvage from his insurance company for $846. It has 190k on the late 91 engine, he just put in a new tranny and rebuilt the rearend. The body is trashed but the rest is fine.

Even if you got a PSD out of a Ford van, they don't have the same power as their pickup versions. First off, no intercooler...

I just saw a mid 80's 4x4 4 door for sale here in NE today. Said it was in good shape.If you want more info I'll get you a phone #.