So I've heard of people doing a body swap of an earlier body onto a late 80's- early 90's Cummins chassis. Im considering doing this with a 1968 4 door W200. How do I go about researching the correct chassis to buy? How about the electronics etc. on the Cummins- what am I looking at to integrate them to my '68?
Ultimatly, I am looking to modernize this truck. When I started researching power steering and driveline options I stated to feel as it might be better to use a newer platform entirely.
Everyone's input is appreciated.
Nick

 

Welcome to the forum! It looks you'll have to figure out if the body mounts even come close at least. You may want to consider an older 12valve drivetrain. Keep us posted and for FWIW, I've been told that "With enough patience and a cuttin' torch, you can put a Hemi in a **** ant!"

 

Thanks for your response, I kinda anticipate I will have to move or fabricate new body mounts. But that would be if I found a chassis that matches my dimensions! Im concerned about finding a matching shaped chassis for this truck (its a 4 door)
I have heard about the 12 and 24 valve diesels, is the 12 an earlier motor or just smaller or something? In a perfect world i'd like to buy a running cummins truck with a similar chassis and drop my body onto it. Does this sound far fetched?
Thanks again for the help!
Nick

 

not too far fetched. . .all the Cummins engines starting in 89 all the way to early 07 are the same displacement. the main differences are either the injector pump or the head. the 89-98.4 engines are the 12 valves are are the easiest to work on and realy only require one wire to operate. . .fuel shutoff solenoid. 98.5 and on is where electronics come into play.

there are kits out there that one can take their Ram, pull the body off and replace it with a mini kenworth body, so I doubt your 68 W200 would be too far fetched.

your best bet though would be to find a wrecked truck and pull the body off. if you use the cassis of your 68 I doubt the frame would be strong enough to handle the torque of the engine. Just remember, in 88 when dodge and cummins were doing testing the first test mule had it's frame completely twisted like a wet noodle from the frame not being able to withstand the torque of the engine.

 

yes, I have heard the '68 chassis is too weak. Now im trying to determine if I can find a 89-98.4 chassis and motor that will fit my '68 body. That way I wont have to worry about frame twisting.
Anyone out there have any idea on whether the '68 chassis is similar in shape/size as the '89-98.4's?
If it came down to a matter of just remounting my body onto a ready to go motor and chassis platform I'd be in luck!!
I feel thatI need to know if the later truck's chassis are same wheelbase, width etc. and of coarse if the 12 valve cummins can be fitted inside the '68's engine compartment?
Thanks guys!

 

I'm pretty sure the ISB with radiator, intercooler and everything else should be able to fit under the hood of a '68. the only thing you would need to know are cab mount distances and measurements. I see fab work in your future.

 

About the cab measurements- do you mean if I was to use the supplied cab mounts on the new chassis? that would be sweet!

I hate to change the subject, the info has been a HUGE help!! But someone just brought up the idea of using one of those new Sprinter van diesels, are they small/light enough to be used in a stock '68 chassis? I have a set of Dana 60's I know I can install under the '68 chassis, then all I would want is to add power steering! Any thoughts?

 

sorry to hijack but: Could I get a pic of the w200? I looked on google and didn't find anything that helped. Just wondering what it looks like.

 

sure, I'll get one to you ASAP

 

good luck getting your hands on one of them mercedes diesels. what about a 4BT. buy a bread truck with one in it, pull the engine and sell the truck for scrap and keep a good portion of your money. 4bt's are usuay rated around 100-105hp and are just the same as the 5.9's only having two cylinders chopped off.