A nice 1st gen 12 Valve Cummins or even a early 2nd gen can be had for around $4000. And then the sling could be swapped from the 3.9L 1500/3500 frankenstein and you would have a truck that would tow much better than any combination you have with the current truck.

A 1500 series truck has a 9'' Frame center section. 2500 and 3500 series trucks have a 12'' frame center section.

 

My half ton has a 7" center section (same as the rest of the frame). I measured a 1998 2500 HD and its center section was 9" and everything else was 7". My service manual also shows the 1500 being 7" and the 3500 being 9".

 

I think you are right. I got the numbers mixed up.

 

why not just buy a used ramp truck and be safe?

 

REPOMAN420- Maybe you got the wrong idea about what this forum is. I have only been a member since sept 09, but I check in and read posts several times every day and I think I have a good sense about what goes on in here. These guys are not going to give you advice on how to rig up your truck to create a major safety hazard to everyone on the road around you. This is a forum where people come to share information and the passion they have for their trucks. I am one of the lesser knowledgeable people on this forum, but I am learning more here every day about repair work, maintenance, and upgrades etc. Maybe you don't like the attitudes you are getting from people, but you have to understand that you started off by insulting all of their trucks by calling them "ghetto rigged". Maybe you just wanted to come in here and stir some sh*t up. I can say that I have had my differences with a couple of people here, like yakkier, but I totally respect the guy for his knowledge and advice. These trucks are a dying breed, and the people that care and know about them are right here willing to help and you just spit in their faces. You should probably take their advice, or move on because you are not going to find the type of answers you are looking for in a respectable forum like this.

 

I say if your not going far. Just do it. A small car wont even phase a dodge. Anyone who owns a dodge knows it can pull the world around no problem

 

Did anyone event see a pic of this truck?

 

its sad to see people come here for questions and when we give them answers they turn around and call us morons because we tell them that its not an advisable idea... i agree with bardram

 

I was going to lock the thread down, but decided to go against my gut instinct. Consider this a warning for both sides, please remain civil.

 

Ok this guy is from Hialeah which is about a rock throw from were I live, he is not interested in being 100% safe or going a long distance, he is trying to work with something he has and can go to a junkyard to get parts to make it work for small vehicles and short distances.

There are tons of junkyards in hialeah so getting used parts cheap is easy, nothing is going to be a direct swap, you could get the parts and with some welding and finesse get these things to work. If you still plan on doing it leave the truck with a decent rake so when loaded down the squat isnt as bad and doesnt take to much weight off front.

Cheap brake upgrades would be taking the calipers off a 2500 truck and putting them on your 1500, and also the rear wheel cylinders.

If you know a good welder add some support beams across the frame maybe an x to help with twist, it wont be the best but will get the job done

and put some E load range tires