Well I figured I will post this in the 2nd gen since some of you guys have them in your truck. Ok so I have a 85 power ram w150 with a 74 ram charger 318 and 180,000miles on it. Its my project truck(already have a daily driver) so it doesnt matter if its down for a period of time. Anyway my neighbor has a wrecked 96 ram 2500 with a good v10 in it. He wants 450 for the engine and tranny. My question is will it be too much of a hassle to put in my truck? I know its fuel injected and will need computer and electric fuel pump but ive never had to deal with fuel injection so I dont know a lot about it. What would I all need to make this happen and my goal is to try to keep as much money in my pocket as possible(im 17 and dont have a lot of cash) I have pretty much the whole truck - a few things but electrical wise its all there. If possible give me a list of what I might need. Also I know my way around a truck for the most part but have never done a engine swap to this extant and wiring does not scare me. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

If you can get the motor and tranny for 450 and want to spend another 5-600 on other required parts etc. to make it work and don't mind 8-10 mpg then go for it. You will need the computer from the donor truck and a good manual to work from for electrical pinout(which can be found on here). You can get a stand alone harness through Painless Wiring to connect your engine and tranny to the computer.

 

Not a simple or cheap swap to do and probably beyond your mechanical abilities. You'll need the engine, tranny and transfer case as none of your stuff will work. In addition to the wiring harness you would need a cooling system capable of that big engine. Motor and tranny mounts would likely have to be fabricated. Not sure if the frame rails are wide enough on such an old truck. Then there's the question of whether your rear end can handle the torque of the V10. Not likely. Better to rebuild your 318 for more performance as this is a job better left to a pro with a fat wallet.

 

You've got to be kidding. Add another zero and you'd probably be closer to the actual cost.

 

Yea not a cheap build. I am surprised that for a person being around this long, that you never came across the 2nd gen dak guy doing exactly what you are talking about.

This is about as hard as slipping a 502 in an s10.
You WILL have to stretch the front frame, and add to the fenders to make that motor fit.
This comes close to trying to put a 5.9 CTD in a 1500.

 

Thinking more about this and it seems even less doable. Your '85 RAM has a leaf-spring front end. The V10 is a cast-iron block and heads. Very heavy and probably too much for what is likely a Dana 44 on your truck. IIRC, the '85 uses a c-channel frame, open to the inside. The V10 frame is boxed and much stronger. There's also the question of hood height. I doubt that flat-hooded RAM has enough engine compartment for the very tall V10. The engine is so tall that the throttle body is mounted side ways, unlike a V8 that uses a downdraft TB.

Not saying it isn't doable, but the amount of fabrication involved and the complexity would probably require a lot of money, skill and time. I guess if you want to be without the truck for 6 months or more and have the cash, go for it. Take lots of pictures, please.

 

Well I suppose I was considering the fact that his neighbor has the donor truck to get most of the parts he needs from and he could probably work with him on prices for parts needed. If he really is comfortable with the electrical portion of the install and is skilled enough to make it happen then I have no grounds to believe he can't do it unless I learn otherwise. I personally could probably do it in or around that number since I have done several custom conversions on other makes and models. This isn't my project though so who knows. You are probably right since you guys have been around these trucks longer than I have. The first thing to do would be to measure your engine bay and then measure the engine at it's widest, tallest, and longest points and go from there.

 

If you have a welder and cutting torch you can fabricate plates for the frame side of the motor mounts. You could box in your frame if it is too weak to support the engine. There will definitely be alot of fab work involved if you are up to it. You should consider whether or not you can afford the parts and components necessary to make it work. whether or not you are going to upset anyone by having the vehicle down for that period of time. What kind of time frame do you have for completing the project.

 

Well I know I cant handle the whole project my self but my dad knows a lot and my uncle knows his way around a ram since he has been doing it for 18 years. Right now im averaging 8mpg so if thats what its going to be around I dont care and dont want to rebuild that old peice of junk since its on its last leg(second rebuild) and im sure for a 74 the emmisions are not great. Do you guys think I could do it for under 2 grand or is that like not even possible. The only thing the truck doesnt have is the axles and rad the rest is all there. As far as the engine bay the 318 in it looks like it should be a 4 cylinder there is prob a good foot on each side so I dont think there should be any problem. If any of you guys that have the v10 fell like it just take a measurment of how wide and tall it is. I would do it but he just left for beach today and its in his garage. The truck hasn't really moved out of our pool building other than to maybe go around the block or to the end of the field and back Since I got the truck in march of 08 Ive maybe put 150 miles on it. I just need to get something done with it. It a project truck so if its down for another year and its keeping me busy than I dont care as long as im making progress

 

Well it sounds like you have plenty of time to do it in. If you, your dad, and your uncle whom it sounds like works for Dodge all work on it together I can see you accomplishing the task. Two grand available and alot of know how and fabrication should get you there. You will have more fab time in it than anything else. I don't have a v-10 in mine but if someone else who does can give you specs on sizes and wieght of the engine you would have a good standpoint to go from.