Engine Conversion? I'm A New Guy
 

Hello everyone, I just bought a 98 Dodge B1500 and I had a couple questions. Has anyone ever heard of, or is it possible to swap out my 5.9 V8 for a Cummins Diesel? I'm the drummer of a band and we use this van for touring but the bad gas mileage is killing us. If anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

This topic comes up regularly. I don't recall of anybody posting that they have done so.

I think all the modifications you would need to make to succeed in this endeavor would pay for many many many tankfuls of Gas.

If the van is running well, with some conservative driving, you should be able to squeak out enough MPG, payment the pump is not too painful.

Mine hits an MPG wall at and above 68 mph.

Haha thanks for the insite. I never thought of it like that. I think I might just be more curious to see a cummins diesel in a half ton.

I was thinking the same thing and wonder if a person really really wanted to do this ........will it even fit and is there a shop willing to do it?

Just an FYI - Just returned home from a tour with one of my bands and my 1990 B250 318 5.2L was averaging 13+ mpg with 4 guys, 1250lbs of band gear inside and running the AC at full tilt boogie the entire time on the highways. I personally try to keep it under 70. It drinks a lot more fuel in the city, but it never got worse than 11.5 mpg.

nice. read my user name, thats what we have as far as what our van is. lol. going on tour to montana from indiana, ill be checking our mpg fosho. :)