ive done some reading on here but had a few more questions. i currently have a 98 ram with the v6 automatic. its a standard cab short bed truck. i have a buddy with a CTD dually and like the power of it. he gets the same gas mileage pulling a full load as i do as a daily driver. im stoked about the idea of a swb truck with a big turbo diesel.

anyway, my truck currently has 168K miles on it so im looking at doing this in the next year or so depending on how she lives up. id like to start alot of research first.

im pretty sure im going to need a whole truck to make the swap easiest and i cant imagine its more than just a bolt on swap.

do the frames differ greatly in stiffness between half and one ton trucks? mostly just a tougher rear end and heavier prings? are the front suspension components going to be completely different in a heavy diesel or will it all work out alright?

 

It has been done before. Jeff Garmon swapped in a 12V into a 1500 regular cab short bed. As far as suspension changes and all I don't know what is involved, but at least you know it fits now.

 

do you know if he did a write up on it?

 

2WD or 4WD? 2WD is a lot harder. You have to cut the sub frame and weld in a drop section because of the depth of the oil pan.

Essentially, you're gonna need all the driveline components from another truck. The more you can strip from another truck, the better off you'll be. Make sure the engine comes out of '94 or later truck. The motor mounts were changed for the 2ND gen's and getting stuff to mate up on the older models is a huge pain.

What engine are you looking at? 12V or 24V. 12V is the easier swap; no electronics to deal with. but they are getting hard to find at a reasonable price. Folks know what they are worth.

Trannsmission. The 46 won't hold up to any power if you decide to play around. A 47RH is the easiest to swap. Again, no electronic to deal with.

2nd battery, radiator and support, fuel pump (recommend a standalone FASS or AirDog), fuel lines, hydro boost brakes (diesels don't have vacuum), exhaust (3.5" minimum)..........

Front suspension. The V6 springs won't hold the weight of a Cummins. It's almost 600 lbs heavier than the V6.

Again, the more parts you can get from another truck, the better off you'll be.

 

i do have a 2wd truck. i figured the suspension would have to be stiffened up abit with the springs and such.
didnt know about the connector and such. thats good to keep in mind. would it be easier to weld in the one from a 2wd diesel?
are the control arms in the 1/2 ton as strong as the heavier models? at least strong enough to support the diesel? ball joints and such also?
didnt give much thought to the 12v vs 24v yet. i guess ill go 12v since its alot easier.

would it just be easier to get a diesel truck and shorten the frame to mount a 6 foot bed? ive seen it done on some classics before. although i was debating this based on my v6 getting near the end of its life. if i get a bigger diesel truck, i wont feel the need to shorten the bed and such, i'd just drive it.

is there a website or writeup on the forum that anyone knows about for a swap of this nature? id like to get more pics and step by step stuff to help with the decision.

also is there any difference in the body panels on a 1/2 ton vs the HD trucks? same grill and fenders and such?

 

Here's a question for ya.

I'm not trying to down ya, but let's look at it realistically.

How much ya lookin' to spend on this?

Finding solid 12V's is getting to be nearly impossible. Everybody wants one and those that have them know what they're worth.

Expect at least 10K when all is said and done. That's assuming you're doing the labor.

Next question.

What kind of mechanical skills do ya have?

This ain't as easy as swapping a V8 in there.

Again, not tryin' to down ya, just trying to be realistic in what you're gonna be getting into.

 

i totally get what you are saying. no offense taken. im not sure of the cost or whatnot. im very capable and have plenty of wrenching experience but zero diesel experience except for driving a few.

i am in my research stages as i am figuring to have to rebuild or replace the engine in my truck in the next year or two. i hope not but planning on it. maybe it would be easier to do a 5.9 swap? or just rebuild the v6.

mostly informative research right now. im very curious and if i get a good deal on a wrecked truck or such then its a great project and ill get to learn the diesel side. ive done just about everything else including engine swaps and complete restorations.

 

It would be a ton easier to swap to any of the gasser V8's. The motor mounts and almost everything else is the same.

Not to mention that you can get them CHEAP!

Plus it would bolt right up to all your existing stuff.

It would be MUCH easier to do.

Again, don't take it as a knock on your plan, some folks just don't understand how much goes into swap like that.

 

I agree with Coal train. By the time you get done doing what you want to do, you might as well go out and buy you an older CTD and pretty it up a bit.

Personally, the only way I would do a gas to CTD swap would be to slip a CTD in a Dak. And that makes your idea look like a piece of cake.

Just my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

thanks for the input. i do want a bit more pulling power also as i am getting back into horses but its not really hard to improve what little pulling power i have now

i appreciate the openness here and by no means take offense to it. i guess i will do a v8 swap when needed. may just sell it and get a 2500 diesel.

who knows, its a good waste of a day to contemplate projects like this.