Sounds like that's the animal I'm hunting.

 

Keep in mind, on the 98 and up trucks, most of the gauges are driven by the PCM, via the central timer module........

 

Ok... So if I go with a 12 valve it'll have to be one from a 98 model only? or I would just have to swap my instrument cluster and all too?

 

PCM would need the various inputs, (also, you had better be going to a manual trans too.... as that is also computer controlled on your truck.) crank sensor, engine temp, etc, most, it will have anyway, ('cept the crank sensor.....) You would need to dig thru the service manual to see exactly what inputs you would require..... I don't think installing some of the necessary sensors would be too much of a stretch, and some will be there in any event..... Just gotta be 'creative'.

 

Yes! Definitely swapping to NV4500. Just really hoping my transfer case will match up with it

 

You're better off selling your old truck and buying a diesel.

 

Like someone already said in this thread, ppl who have them think they are gold.

 

1) Where are you located? It would help if you put that information in your user profile.
2) What are your specifications for a truck? (Year range, model, etc)
3) Search Craigslist.

I had it in mind that I wanted a diesel (about two months ago) and I was finding some great deals about 200 miles away. One was a pampered 1997 Dodge 2500 that was fully loaded and under 120K miles for $14K. You have to realize that diesels carry a bit of a premium, so you'll have to be a savvy shopper.

Some bargains can be had if you live in an area where oil companies are having to sell off assets in order to remain afloat.

Based on the questions asked, and your responses, I foresee you taking on more project than you think it will be. I'm not trying to be cruel, just stating the facts based on projects I have witnessed in 15+ years of being on automotive forums. I am willing to bet that more than 70% of conversion/swap projects end up being sold as uncompleted messes, or parted out, at a complete loss.

Time = money, so think long and hard if you really want to invest hours and hours of nights/weekends trying to Frankenstein something. In the grand scheme of things, it's better to save funds for the long run. During that time, there is a chance that deal will come along or your needs may change.

Just something you may wish to consider.

 

Mr. Gary, I do appreciate your concern and with all due respect I have to say that it is quite possibly the project that I look to undertake in this all. Or maybe it's the challenge. While I am not savvy on the deisel end of this project nor have I ever participated in a swap of this fashion, I have been under the hood a time or two. I have already pulled the heads on this engine twice and that's after replacing it completely from the original engine. And I just put the new tranny in it last week. I am by no means any sort of expert. I come in the forum to hear different opinions and hopefully some actual expert input on the matter. Maybe hear about issues or roadblocks others who have undertaken this sort of challenge have had. It is very very likely it would be in the best interest of my sanity and my bank account to just sell the truck and buy another one fitting the bill of what I'd rather have. But to be very honest I've already invested more money into the truck than it's worth and I refuse to hear the words "I told you so" by those who told me I should have gotten rid of it after the engine went bad. I hate to lose and I'll be damned if I let a truck whip me. I'm not satisfied with the 360/46re combination and I want to upgrade. Does it really matter how much time or money I invest? Not really. I'll "Frankenstein" it along as I get the money and time. And once I'm done, I'll have the satisfaction of saying "I built that". But again, I come here for help in seeing the things that aren't obvious to someone who has never done this sort of swap.

 

Hey, that's fine if you want to go that route. I was just throwing out observations and some suggestions. There are a lot of us who have owned 2nd Gens with either the 5.2L or 5.9L and were able to elicit excellent performance for a lot less than what a conversion you're proposing will cost. It seems you're frustrated with the results of work that's been done so far and that people without the experience you'll find on this forum are injecting their opinions.

When I first bought my 2nd Gen, it developed a knock after a few thousand miles, so I yanked the engine after what I found under the intake. A local machine shop owner chewed me out by saying I had "opened a can of worms" tearing down a Dodge engine. He followed up with how "different they were from Ford and Chevy" and that I was "looking at more than $3,000" in expenses.

$2,200 later and some assistance from a more reasonable machine shop produced an engine that lasted 100,000 miles with thousands of miles of hauling documented on this forum. I also spent $1,800 on a transmission rebuild with upgrades that was also as a result of feedback from people on this forum. The transmission has since been put in the service of another vehicle because that 1997 truck was destroyed in a tornado.

Also, you state: Perhaps the lack of responses is because this hasn't been done due to the complexities, time, and expense. The type of conversion you're proposing is no small feat.

Again, not trying to offend. I've seen lots of projects and proposed swaps on vehicle forums where the guy goes along and then disappears or he gives up and posts it in the classifieds.

Good luck with whatever route you take.