So I have a 2001 Ram 1500, 4 wheel drive, with a 5.9 liter v8 gas engine in it. Been thinking about building it to get more power, but am also considering swapping it for a diesel. I am wondering if it would be possible to swap it for the 6.7 liter cummins diesel? i understand that it is not as simple as just taking out the current gas engine and throwing in a diesel one. A lot of other parts have to be replaced to accomidate the new motor. Any idea as to how much (roughly) it would cost? Would it be worth the cost? Anyone here ever done it?

 

I don't know why you'd want a 6.7 and not a 5.9... Can get the same power with almost twice the mpg with the 12v 5.9 and I'm pretty sure it's a smaller size. Gonna need a lot of fab work, new driveline (trans, tcase, driveshafts, axles, rims), bigger suspension, brakes, bigger steering components, diesel tank and fuel setup, exhaust etc

You know what has all that to begin with? A 2500.

 

Not too mention the 5.9 is what came in these years diesels anyway.

All you need to do is find a wrecked 2500 and swap the axles/suspension over and steering . Then find a 5.9 and a nv4500

Oh yeah and 8 lug wheels

 

And be ready with plenty of cash!

 

LOTS and LOTS of cash

 

Where did you get this info at? Have you owned both a 5.9 & a 6.7? They are both the same size as it is the same block for both engines.

I got some pretty good MPG out of my 6.7 and it made a lot more power than my 5.9 ever did plus the 6.7 got better fuel mileage than the 5.9 I had. So I am curious where you got your info from.


This has been talked about by many people and there has been 1 or 2 people who have done the swap from gas to diesel. As everyone else has said plan on it taking tons of cash. Your best bet is to buy a wrecked truck to cut down on cost. Before you do anything I would go check the frames on a 2500 or 3500 diesel rig against the size of your frame. I'm not sure if they are the same but don't have a clue.
If it was me I'd build up my 5.9 gasser and buy a diesel rig. If you have your heart set on a 6.7 I would look for a 2008-9 and that is it. I had an 08 and when it had less than 3,000 miles on it I yanked out all the smog junk and installed a tuner on it. When I ended up having to sell it the new owner got a hold of me and wanted to know if I had installed me injectors because the truck made so much power. I smoked the stock clutch real easy after doing all my mods.

 

Well, I think he got that info from experience or friends with experience. I'm assuming you've done the DPF delete and exhaust on your 6.7 because In my experience, as well as everybody else I know with a 6.7, the 5.9 will get better mileage. I have an 05 5.9 and drive a 6.7 at work, I could never get better than 15 with the 6.7 after 100,000 miles on it. My 5.9 gets 21-22 all day every day (with less than 100,000 on it and chipped). Though I have no experience doing the DPF delete on a 6.7, I'm sure it will boost mileage to that of the 5.9. Yes, the 6.7 does have more power it feels, but the 5.9 can run with the 6.7 with a few simple mods, and it's the preferred choice of hot rodding cummins enthusiasts.

In my opinion, go with the 5.9 as some other guys have said. If you want a 6.7, by all means go for it. It'd be the first time I heard of one in a 2nd gen and would be unique. Be sure to get pictures on here!

 

Someday I am going to own one of these elusive 20+ MPG 5.9 trucks. I have gotten 18 in my 5.9 and I was getting 16-17 in my 6.7 but my 6.7 was a dually also so that takes more fuel.
Yes I did the DPF, EGR, plus 5" exhaust from turbo back. Also had many other custom bolt on parts. I never got into the engine before I sold the truck. I did install a SouthBend dual disc clutch and once I did that the power this thing would put to the ground was amazing.
IMHO the main reason people prefer the 5.9 over the 6.7 is that it has been around longer but I know of a few people who are hot rodding their 6.7's. If your swapping in an engine in the first place you're most likely not going to reinstall the emission crap anyhow. You'd need a tuner for it but they are out there. And from my experience the 6.7 can make more power than the 5.9 for the same amount of money.