I found a rust-free 1992 B150 Ram van over the weekend with about 150K miles on the clock. The major mechanicals are shot. My 1993 B150 is rusting away, but the major mechanicals have been well maintained.

Question - can I reasonably expect to buy the 92, remove the engine, trans, etc. and replace them with the parts from my 93 to make a good van? Both are V6 but the 92 is auto trans and my 93 is a 5-speed Aisin manual. I would like to retain the manual if possible. I did not perform a full inspection, but there seems to be some major differences even though the vans are only one year apart. The interior A/C controls seem to be different, the A/C blower housing under the hood is different too. The wiring harness underhood looks close but not exactly the same.

I can buy the 1992 for $200. Is this a nightmare or a dream?

 

It's reasonably doable, but your biggest headache will be the auto to manual tranny conversion. Most notably the shifter setup. You will have to retain the computer from the 93 and use it in the 92 mainly because of the tranny, so you'll want to make sure the connectors are the same.

 

This is one of the things I definitely looked at closely. The SMEC connector is the same and they are both mounted in the same spot on the firewall. The 92 also seems to have the same ASD setup with two relays mounted below the battery just like on my 93. If the tranny swap is a real headache I'll leave the automatic in there and retain the Aisin along with the crossmember, driveshaft, slave cyl, pedals etc. for a later time should I become motivated to retrofit. Properly rebuilt, that 5-speed could be worth $500 so maybe I'll go that route and recoup some cash.

Would you recommend I swap all of the A/C components from the 93 into the 92? My 93 inside HVAC controls are the newer push/pull type while the 92 has left-right sliders.

 

I think I just answered my own question, at least part of it. The 93 HVAC system is largely vacuum controlled while the 92 uses manual slider cables, I imagine. This would seem to explain the lack of clutter in the engine bay of the 92 versus the 93 and probably explains why I thought the wiring harness looked different. Undoubtedly, some of the missing "wires" are actually missing vacuum tubing.

So the same question remains - any good reason to bring the 93 HVAC system over to the 92? If I decide to buy the 92 I'll change the heater core out for good measure anyway, so I'll already have everything apart.

 

The vacuum HVAC system is easier on the fingers to control since you're not pushing cables back and forth. Other than that, a different blower switch connector, or the fact that you have to oil the cables every so often, there isn't any real difference between them. Do the controls from the 93 physically fit in the dash of the 92?

 

I have to check but if memory serves the metal cutout in the dash is the same size in both vehicles. Given the fact I already know my 93 system works I'm inclined to just move it all over to the 92. Plus, all those vacuum fittings and gizmos will need to be connected on my 93 engine. Seems to make the most sense to use the newer gear.

Hopefully the passenger side firewall will have all the proper mounting holes, tabs, cutouts and whatever else to save this from becoming a real project.

 

Don't count on it. Since the vacuum system wasn't available in 92, the body won't have the accommodations for installing it.

 

I'm sure you're right. The contour of the firewall may even be different so this project should probably be forgotten. Too bad - the 92 body is nice and solid. I thought briefly about purchasing a boneyard engine but you never know what you're getting into with this situation either.

The search for another van continues.