Have you priced out a cummins motor, fuel system, tranny? They are expensive.
I did a 6.9 IH to a 12v cummins and every time I turned around it was another $1000.
I have done Jeep 4cyl to 4.0 swaps because of the very reasons you stated. Very nice Jeep with tons of add ons, was gutless. So a 4.0 would be easy because its factory. It has never been worth it.
My advice is what you paid for it, Id sell your nice truck and go buy what you want/need

 

Just an observation... that is a late enough model truck that everything will be computer controlled. Engine control modules, tranny control modules, etc... will be very different between the two power trains. In addition to an engine swap, you'd probably want to do a built transmission swap as well.

A conversion from gas to diesel might not be as straight forward as older rigs. You'd probably come out ahead financially just buying a diesel rig and building it into what you want.

Then again, if you enjoy the challenge and the project, it might be a fun one.

 

If you are looking for a project, and are capable of doing the work yourself, go for it. This includes having a cheap donor truck available (new parts would be insanely cost prohibitive), and the knowledge to merge controls/electronics as Threeweight mentioned. If it were a Ford it would be much easier, as there are mounts/adapters/wiring harnesses that are all plug and play. That's not the case with the 5.7.

There are a number of 6 speed Cummins trucks around, even trucks in good shape with low miles. You are going to pay either way, I would just go buy what you want. Most of the accessories that you mentioned could be bolted on to another truck anyway.

 

Appreciate the quick responses, all things I have been thinking as well.

Some more info:

I have not purchased the truck yet

This would NOT be a daily driver.

I can buy the truck for what the bumper winch and flatbed are worth which is the only reason I’m considering it. I requested the vin from the owner so I can get more info on what it is.

I know that reman engines look anywhere from $4500-5500 but I’m sure that doesn’t include computer harness, cooling and fueling. That’s why I’m asking. I would only attempt a swap if my father helped as he has done many but his health hasn’t been fabulous so this post is mainly a research piece for direction might be the best way to go. Not totally against a p pump 12 valve.

The 6 speed manual tranny is solid but would receive some love.

 

I was going to mention a 12V, but I didn't know exactly where you wanted to go with it. Getting it running and driving could be done fairly inexpensively. I would imagine a factory 3rd gen Cummins radiator and intercooler would be more or less bolt ins, along with intercooler piping/coolant lines/power steering parts/etc also. That stuff is fairly easy to fabricate if required. I believe the G56 and transfer case are the same used in the Cummins trucks, but I'm pretty sure the Hemi uses a smaller clutch, but that's an easy fix.

 

I think it might have factory 4:10 in it as well. Why I’m trying to get the vin number off it. Your starting to see it a little like I am now. I’ll just tell you guys truck is $10,000.

The other half of that also is because it won’t be my daily driver if the hemi stays in it for a while whatever. I could keep an eye out for a donor truck and start working slowly on it gathering parts as good deals come up. Or save up enough extra cash to take in it to a competent shop.

 

What about a bigger gas motor or bolt ons. Supercharger?


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Primary use will be pulling gooseneck trailers around or moving hay. The current mpg computer says 10 mpg😞. Pretty brutal to have no power and 10 mpg. I think any power good lies on the hemi will only be putting a band aid on a gunshot.

Yes lots and lots of high mileage rigs and most are probably ok but pulling horse and stock trailers on a regular basis over cabbage and such those high mileage autos won’t hold up.

 

Lots of 3500's out the.
Buy this for $20000 and have fun


https://bend.craigslist.org/ctd/d/portland-2006-dodge-ramx4-laramie-mega/6809323768.html

 

Lots of 3500's out the.

Buy this for $20000 and have fun





https://bend.craigslist.org/ctd/d/portland-2006-dodge-ramx4-laramie-mega/6809323768.html

That's a good price for that rig. I looked at a lot last year before buying mine. 2009 Dodge 2500 mega cab with the 6.7 Cummins.

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I can chime in here, so heres the problem. These trucks are built as you know with a diesel engine. The problem is all the electronic controls for everything can be tied to the instrument cluster & or primary wiring harness or harnesses that control everthing. On the Ford Diesel to V10 conversions I have done. We acquired the wiring harnesses & other components that we needed, from wrecked trucks with the gas engine. We could not find it from Ford, and they were to knew for vintage or other builders that would offer the parts we needed.

If you don't have the " electronics " for the Diesel, than your looking at going aftermarket - finding someone who can do this. That became our problem, that was solved by using a totaled truck with the engine we wanted.

The power train components themselves, motor mounts, engine, transmission, exhaust. All those fixed items can be done relatively easy.

Would I do this for a personal project? Nope, I would find the truck with the power train you want, then build around it. Paying someone to do this diesel to gas conversion, without the drivetrain components costs us about 8K in Labor alone.

Good Luck

 

It’s strange to me that someone would spend the money on a Laramie trimmed dually, and then cheap out on the engine like that. I know guys do it with their pavement princess 2500’s all the time, but a 3500 dually with a 5.7? That’s just weird.

 

Maybe go the other direction, get this rig and find a dented up diesel rig with good drive train and pul the flatbed and other goodies off this rig to put on the diesel?

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Well unfortunately i agree with most of you the more I start really writing things out the worse it gets. I think I’m gonna step away. The thing I’m most worried about is ever having a really hard time trying to re sell it. It’s would be a bit of a Frankenstein rig and that won’t bode well with any buyers. My research has shown there is multiple ways to do a swap and to do a good one will be costly, like many of you are saying...much more than face value.

I might call a couple shops today just to confirm it but I’m most likely at this point going to not do it. I’m not in hurry so I think I’ll keep looking.

 

This looks like one of those projects where you estimate everything you can think of on the high end....then triple it for both time and money.

 

I don't know much but it seems like the cost of the emissions equipment plus the cummins would make it too expensive to make sense.

 

I've always been a huge 12v fan. But after owning newer diesels I became a lot less of a fan. The newer diesels put out so much more reliable power and the computers are so good at increasing and decreasing power as needed. When I'm towing heavy I'd rather not have to watch the EGT gauge all the time and be shifting and such to keep them down. I love being able to just tow and not worry about it. Comes with a price of course...

 

That is so true. Pushing the tow/haul button on an older truck simply prevented it from shifting in to overdrive. Push it on a newer truck and it’s like driving a complete different vehicle. Then factor in an exhaust brake that all new diesels have and it’s not even close.

 

Save yourself a bunch of $$$$$ and Headaches, buy one with a Cummins
thats my :twocents::flag2:

 

As a long time 12V owner I would rather purchase a Super Duty and convert it to a Cummins.
There's a shop in Kalispell that specializes in Cummins conversions, https://www.dieselconversion.com

They may be able to answer any questions you have.

 

Have you driven the truck? The 08 Hemi was 345hp and 375tq...compared to a Viper you could say gutless, but should move a 3500 dually just fine for what you're going to use it for...towing heavy up over mountain passes might be a different story.

What about upgrading the gear ratio to something like 4.56 or 4.88? That would be about $1000 per axle and give you all the pulling power you need.

 

Have you driven the truck? The 08 Hemi was 345hp and 375tq...compared to a Viper you could say gutless, but should move a 3500 dually just fine for what you're going to use it for...towing heavy up over mountain passes might be a different story.



What about upgrading the gear ratio to something like 4.56 or 4.88? That would be about $1000 per axle and give you all the pulling power you need.

That’s about the best response yet. I’m a huge fan of a diesel for towing, but let’s look at the overall needs of 90% of the owners. Tow a “heavy” trailer over a hill 3-6 times a year, and immediately get on the plan of a new HO diesel tow rig.

I’m NOT saying that it’s a bad thing... Merely that it is a huge expense to save 5 minutes of drive time a few times per year.

Let’s look at the mileage difference, since that is the other point diesels drive home. Gas rig towing? 9-ish mpg? Diesel? Likely in the 12-15 range? How many miles are you going to drive per year? How long will it take for the difference in fuel cost to offset the cost of the truck? Don’t forget the maintenance costs on a diesel are about double what a gasser is...

Again. I loooove me a good diesel tow rig, but have made the switch back to gas rigs due to the overall cost of ownership. Unless you’re working that truck every day, there is no possible way that a diesel is a better “value”.

Still doesn’t mean that they aren’t a good tool though!


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