I have a 1998 Ram 2500 Sport. It has a 5.9L gasser in it currently that I would like to switch to a Cummins. The transmission is an NV4500. As I understand, the 5 speed in the diesels and the 3/4 and 1 ton gas trucks are the same. Will the transmission mount up to a Cummins? Also, I might have an available 1990 Ram as a donor. I don't know much about it other than it has an automatic. Would it be possible to use this engine?

Thanks,
Ross

 

no that trans will not work. I am going to tell you what alot of other people are going to say if you want a cummins just sell your truck and buy one

 

The cummins swap is possible, but you would need a donor truck of around the same year.

 

According to these guy's it's possible somewhat, http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/0...wap/index.html

 

easiest way to do this swap is, well put the body of the 98 and mount it to the donor truck.


Problem with the cummins is that you will need the motor, every and all engine component, New trans(could make the truck manual but thats more work but cheaper), Driveshafts, and the transfer case.

Axles would be good to swap since the trans of the cummins has a different spline count of the gassers axles. and different gears.



If i wanted a cummins i would get a close year and swap suspension and body. It would be way easier that the motor since the body is only held on by wires and 6 bolts. so welding up new body mounts and putting in some suspension stuff is easy

 

My friend is in the process of a cummins swap in his 98 dodge 1500. He has an older 12 valve and one ton axles along with a new transfer case to put in. You can do it but it will sure be a lot of work

 

+1 yep

 

you need to change axles (dana 70 or 80 rear), beef up the frame and change fuel lines. thats what i can think of off the top of my head. the 90 i think isnt innercooled so an inncooler wouldnt be an issue, radiator is though, you would need a new one for a diesel, you need another battery tray and all the wireing to go with it, i keep thinking of things as i type haha, probly a diesel or a v10 drive shaft they should be about the same, i dont think it would be worth it. i want a short bed reg cab 24 valve but im gonna cut the frame and get a new bed, one day when im rich haha

 

naaa... its actually very easy to do, but your manual trans in the 1500 wont work, pm me if you want the details

 

I already replaced the rear axle with a Dana 70, so that should be fine. The GVWR is 8800 lbs I think. (Whatever the heavier of the two 2500's is.) Isn't the NV4500 what they have in the five-speed diesels? I've already done a fair amount of work to the truck so I'd prefer not to sell it and get a new one.

-Ross