I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500, I would like to be able to pull a 5TH wheel, Can I put a 2500 or 3500 motor in it or even a diesel motor in it, and what else will I need to do to be able to pull the trailer, is this fesible or am I just dreaming. My truck is still in good condition and has 80000 miles on it, it would seem less expensive to do this rather then buy a whole different truck.

 

More depends on the actual loaded weight of the 5th whl. and truck combo. Do not excede these limits. 1500 with a tow package and proper rear end can tow ~7000lbs. BUT, thats pushing it! I tow 5klbs loaded with a 1500 5.2L 3.9 rear end and it does ok 'cept off the line.4.10 rear might have been a better choice for get up and go. At any rate, the heavier the load the more you would need a stronger frame as well. A 2500 or better perhaps. More depends on the class of truck and gearing than engine. You could go with a diesel setup and get more grunt out of it but that won't do anything for weight loading of the truck. Hope this helps.
WC

 

on a 98 1500 you more than likely would NOT want to try with a diesel... the weight alone would require MAJOR mods on the truck to even be able to handle it... what do you have in the truck now... a 5.9? 5.2? i have had BOTH motors and they both seem to be plenty for whatever i need.. diesel would be nice.. but not feesable to upgrade from gas to diesel in the same truck... now if you have only 80k miles on a 1998 .. its still got some value left providing the interior and exterior is in good shape.. hell man sell it and buy urself a diesel

 

id have to say box the frame if yours isnt and thatll make it a lot stronger and able to tow a little more. but not a lot. ive have a 350 in a s10 before and the moter put so much stress on the frame that it twisted. so i found a donor frame and boxed in the whole frame wherever i could and it never twisted since.

 

You can make your 1/2 ton a 3/4 or 1 ton but it'll take alot of time and money.

Sur eyou could throw a diesel in there but your gonna need new spring up front for sure, then your gonna need new springs in the rear to handle the extra load you can now haul...

After then your gonna need better axles that can handle the load better...at least the rear end. All this stuff would swap over from a 3/4 or 1 ton but it'd probably be cheaper to sell the truck you have not and get a 3/4 or 1 ton.

It looks like you have a 2000 also, you could sell that and get a 96-97ish Cummins which will go forever and be cheaper.

 

you can do some lightweight towing with your 1500 up to its weight limits.

as far as putting a bigger motor in it, you'll have to deal with matching the proper computer, only to then overload your brakes, steering, springs, transmission, and rear end. i think you'll waste a lot of money that you could have used to just get a 2500/3500.

absolutely don't put a diesel in a 1500. too heavy, too much power and torque for all 1500 components.

if you want do some serious towing, sell the 1500 and buy a 3500 dually diesel.

 

ive actually thought about putting a deisel in a 1500 just for the fact everyone would think its a 5.9 with cut exaust. if this happens id want to blow the motor first so i have a reason to put a new one in it/

 

No, if the 5ver isn't exceeding the tow limits on your truck, just install an add-a-leaf in the rear, a tranny cooler, load E tires and some mild engine mods and start TOWING! If it's too doggy, spend 500 bucks and have 4.10s put in the rear. The only two motors that are bigger than the 1500 motors (5.2/5.9) are the V10 and CTD which would both require too much modification on your rig to justify. Now, if you have a 3.9 V6, sell it and buy whatever you want.

 

Holy crapI get into enough trouble with my stock 1500 I can't imagine the destruction I could cause if I put a deisel in it!!!!

 

thats why i want to do it.