No 4 door 2nd Gen Dodge Ram ???

[HHhuntitall]

Yes, that used to be one of the 3 conversions I've had over the years.... It had a few problems, and someone wanted it more than I did, so away it went... It was either that or spend about 10k on it with a new transmission, wire loom, suspension, pain job, and interior, then I'd never ended up selling it... Anyway, they were built by a custom builder, Cleburne Custom Conversions here in Texas. If you are dead seat on a 2nd gen I'd suggest a custom body guy or limo shop, as suggested above... I can see an extended cab with the back doors maybe working.... The problem with the 8.3 is the weight. It's even heavier than the 5.9, putting even MORE stress on the components.... It's a beast, though.

The LTA10 is a PT pump engine, but with a one piece cylinder head like the 3.9, 5.9, 8.3 engines. But it has the camshaft actuated injectors, with the high pressure common rail.... I've run quite a few, and they've been the most fuel efficient engine I've ever run in a tractor....

Hey!! Don't hate the minivan!! I had one I bought for $500 that had frequent flyer miles!! It was the Dodge that would die!! I swear that thing was indestructible!! Rolled it once, chasing jackrabbits.... doors still opened and shut!! Loved it!!

 

[50BMG]

HHhuntitall, yeah my minivan is not to bad it's a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3. something liter v6 like I said I use hand controls and as I was getting used to them I lit the front tires up pretty often as hand controls are very touchy until you get get used to them. I'm just used to the 4x4 trucks that I used to drive and ground clearance, and being able to go anywhere that I wanted with absolutely no issues at any time. A few years ago I also drove a military dump truck that was full time 6 wheel drive around a friends farm I believe that it had a 10 or 11 liter Cummins but can't remember for sure which.

 

[HHhuntitall]

HHhuntitall, yeah my minivan is not to bad it's a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan with a 3. something liter v6 like I said I use hand controls and as I was getting used to them I lit the front tires up pretty often as hand controls are very touchy until you get get used to them. I'm just used to the 4x4 trucks that I used to drive and ground clearance, and being able to go anywhere that I wanted with absolutely no issues at any time. A few years ago I also drove a military dump truck that was full time 6 wheel drive around a friends farm I believe that it had a 10 or 11 liter Cummins but can't remember for sure which.

I get that.... I've gotten to the point a good car just sits... hard to check water lines or haul a hay bale to the bulls without a live front axle and 35" tires....

The last car I built a motor for was an old Dodge Polara.... 498ci of rusty rolling fun. Heater core doesn't work?!? SO WHAT!! Just kick the floor mat over and let the hot air from the headers come in through the floor!! :-laf

The M11 was the replacement for the LTA10. A good engine, but it has an ECM (Electronic Crap Module). Got one of those in a New Holland tractor.... not a bad engine, but runs hot when working full throttle.... Still don't have a lot of hours on it, so can't speak for longetivity.

 

[50BMG]

Yeah exactly, it seems like the older cars and trucks are more fun they may not have the lastest this or that but since everything isn't controlled by a computer system you can actually work on them without needing a degree in computers. I'm just limited income wise due to the fact that since at my job I only work part-time can only have $1000 in my account since I'm on social security disability, have a $40000 loan on my van. I can't work on or drive the vehicle's that I really like.

50BMG

 

[HHhuntitall]

You know, I've worked on a lot of the newer trucks, and the only thing I've found that I like is the radio/phone interface. I have some music on my phone that sure sounds good through the truck stereo, and if you've ever been in West Texas, there are a lot of places there are no decent radio stations.... and XM satellite radio has so many advertisements on it now, it's not any better.... all talk, no go.... Hate that!! As if an advertisement is going to make me buy something.... in the words of Carmen from the Southpark (NOT the best influence, either, I know, I know....) cartoon, "Screw you guys!!"

Heated seats can be nice, but I'm in Texas, not the North pole. And air conditioned seats?!?! COME ON!! I'm going to be getting out in 3 minutes to open a gate, so I'll be getting swamp *** again in about 3 seconds!! All those wires are good for is a rat feast over the weekend. Well, I guess they get snagged in the brush and drug off.... which gives the dealer something to work on, costing you even MORE money.... Oh, wait...

 

[50BMG]

If money were no object I'd like to have overall size be no larger than: Height 78.00in/6.5ft , Width 80.50in/6.7ft , and Length shorter than 230.25in/ 19.18ft about the same size as a new full size pickup. I don't really know which engine I would choose because I really like the mechanical diesels like the 8.3 Cummins or the international dt466 but I like the sound of a LTA10 because I like having immediate low end torque and you said that the LTA10 is very fuel efficient. So if a LTA10 could be mated up to a allison tc10 it might actually get decent fuel mileage for something that big.

50BMG

 

[Wayne M.]

The L10 has a very unique sound. I can pick one out in traffic.

 

[50BMG]

Wayne M I wonder if a truck like the white International you posted would fit within my prefered size constraints ? No larger than 78.00in/6.5ft height, 80.50in/6.7ft width, 230.25in/19.18ft , I 'd be most worried about the width because honestly I think that starting with a truck like it would be easiest since I wouldn't think as many things would need to be modified. I'm just trying to get everything lined up so if I did get a chance to start this project all or most of the researching and leg work would already be done.

50BMG

 

[promisedland]

I'v been dreaming of finding some Mega cab rear doors, stretching my 3rd gen quad cab to match. Presto! A regular crew cab 3rd gen!

 

[50BMG]

Does anyone have the specs on an international 4900 crewcab ? I think that if the width isn't too far out of range I could start redirecting my funds from a custom rifle to a custom truck.

50BMG

 

[Wayne M.]

Wayne M I wonder if a truck like the white International you posted would fit within my prefered size constraints ? No larger than 78.00in/6.5ft height, 80.50in/6.7ft width, 230.25in/19.18ft , I 'd be most worried about the width because honestly I think that starting with a truck like it would be easiest since I wouldn't think as many things would need to be modified. I'm just trying to get everything lined up so if I did get a chance to start this project all or most of the researching and leg work would already be done.

50BMG

Not sure of the specs and them matching your needs. Are you trying to fit in a garage? Possibly a trick air suspension can do it. kelderman for the front?

 

[50BMG]

Wayne M, yes I'm kind of trying to make sure it would fit into a garage but I could always just park it outside I'm more concerned with parking it around town because everything seems to be really tight and congested even for my dads 2015 chevy 2500 HD silverado.

50BMG

 

[Wayne M.]

I think youll be fine, except for height. I know there are lo pro models out there....

 

[50BMG]

Excuse my ignorance on the subject of these style international trucks but it looks as though 4900, 4800, 4700, and some other models look very similar if not identical, or am I wrong in my thinking ? Considering that I want to swap in a different engine, transmission, axles, and a few other things would it not be easier to just find a used truck and then just swap the things I wanted into it ?

50BMG

 

[50BMG]

Excuse my ignorance on the subject of these style international trucks but it looks as though 4900, 4800, 4700, and some other models look very similar if not identical, or am I wrong in my thinking ? Considering that I want to swap in a different engine, transmission, axles, and a few other things would it not be easier to just find a used truck and then just swap the things I wanted in it ?

50BMG

 

[Wayne M.]

No ignorance! Truck model nomenclature is bewildering. It's probably axle and frame config, as well as weight class. Don't even try to figure out Mack's back half of it's model numbering!
I would just find a donor and modify it to your needs. Powertrain and all.

 

[50BMG]

Thanks Wayne M but unfortunately nobody makes a factory truck with what I want. Slightly turned up LTA10 Cummins (prefered but a 8.3l Cummins or a 855 Cummins would work) mated to a allison tc10 transmission (if at all possible) , mated to SCS Gearbox Transfer cases, narrowed 2.5/5 Ton Hybrid Rockwell Axles, crewcab, and a wheelchair lift. I have found a used international 4900,4800,4700 (can't recall which) crewcab with a 466dt or 466dt E for around $20,000.

50BMG

 

[JR]

Some 4700 series come in under the 26,000 GVW, that would personally be a big one for me (licensing, registration, insurance, etc.)
I was an iron worker for over 13 years, the company I worked for bought a new in 97 4700 with the 7.3/Spicer 5 speed gear box. That truck wouldn't get out of it's own way with a load on it, but 20 years later I still occasionally see it out and about, almost always loaded to the hilt with a bed full of steel being driven by a rough neck bolt head. That truck has stood up to some serious abuse.