2nd gen in 88 ramcharger

[TTennyson]

i am wanting to put a 94-96 2nd gen. 6bt in my 88 ramcharger. i need to find out if a wiring harness from a 89-93 diesel truck will be compatible with this engine and also if there is anyone who is making good performance kits and convertors for the 727 trans. i have a 205 transfer case already i just like the way the p-pump sounds more reliable and more capable than the first gen. pumps. im buildin it for off-roading with a 60 fr. 70 rr. any help is greatly appr.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Its an easy swap, I wouldn't worry about the harness compatibility. The sensors on the second gen motors are different, but you can get them from the older trucks and they will screw in. I would go with Mechanical gauges and just wire the injector pump up to the stock ramcharger's ignition coil power lead. As for the preheaters, thats a personal choice to take the time to swap an entire harness over for just them. I would just mount a lighted toggle switch in a very visible area of the dash and then hook it up to the preheater solenoids.

inline pumps are higher horsepower capable, but my old rotary pump in my previous truck cost me $600 to replace, the inline pump was over $1200. last I checked. For such a small and light trucks, I would stick with the rotary pump. Reliability was never an issue with ours. The inlines do sound less like a farm tractor, but with a 4" exhaust, who's listening to the pump?

 

[bgilbert]

TDR member -Thierry- in California, swapped a 6bt in a 93 ramcharger. Search for his archives and look him up, I think he's still a member, I've talked on the phone with him before, he's a nice guy, he probly would be willing to help you. Good luck. Bill

Edit: it was a 1st gen engine-89-93.

 

[TTennyson]

well guess i am just going to put a 1st gen in it , sounds to be the easiest since its just a bolt in affair. i have a lead on a 91 donor truck. hmmm that banks kit for 70hp and 240lbs trq looks pretty interesting.

 

[KLockliear]

The guys over at J&H Performance in Redding did that too (may be Thierry mentioned above). Check their website... it's on the homepage. http://www.jandhperformance.com

 

[DKarvwnaris]

The first generation really is going to be your easiest way. We have repowered several of the older dodge crew cabs with 1st gen drivelines complete engine, transmission, axles etc.

One truck was stripped to the bare cab and all interior and wiring was swapped over to the older cab after it was repainted. That was not a fun job, but the final product was nice. Easy work, but very time consuming. He took it into a dealership for service afterwards and they didn't realize until the trucks VIN didn't match up with the engine. He has been offered twice what he has in the truck to sell it, Still driving it today with over 600,000 miles on the speedo out of the donor truck. (transmission is now a nv-4500)

 

[TTennyson]

i just plan on getting a swd donor and get the front axle seperatly and convert the trany to 4wd. im buildin it mostly for trail rides and some mud excursions, not going to be a show truck by anymeens. just descent looking and very capable.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Originally posted by TTennyson

i just plan on getting a swd donor and get the front axle seperatly and convert the trany to 4wd. im buildin it mostly for trail rides and some mud excursions, not going to be a show truck by anymeens. just descent looking and very capable.

I would spend some time looking for a 2wd frame to start with. If I recall correctly, the frames on the 2wd dodge trucks have different angles over the front wheels to allow for the coil spring front end. I have done several 2wd to 4wd conversions in the past, but it usually was alot of work and if you plan to mud bog with it etc. You'll want the strength of a 4wd frame. Unless you plan to use 4 links which is another story all together then.

Stock designs are almost always more reliable and easier to find parts for. Keep that in mind. I used to always modify my jeeps and buggies to the extreme, usually with airbag suspension set ups etc. Now I leave them stock for the most part so I can get replacement parts quickly and affordably.