89 D250 Questions/Suggestions?

[FAHLGUY]

I have a 89 D250 LE that is hit in the right front... and the cab is rotted out, but the motor, transmission and rear are good.



I was just given a real clean 92 D250 with a gasser. I am going to pull the motor and transmission out and sell it.



My questions are:



Will I have to swap all my wiring harnesss' out from the 89 into the 92 cab and engine bay?



Also are the diesel and gas front suspensions different (King pins and such)? I would like to swap the motor over into the 92 frame, but not sure if it is heavy enough?



Also any other input or tips on the swap would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,



Bill

 

[CrosbyJ]

i would use the diesel fram and put the 92 body on it

 

[1stgen4evr]

There have been conversion done using the RamCharger with a Cummins so I am sure that you can get by with the gasser. A lot depends on how you plan to use the truck.



If you have the lift capacity, no doubt you can use the gasser parts on the original Cummins/Dodge truck.



The 89 doesn't have a computer and the swap is easier as a result.



James

 

[Steve Graham]

I hate to be the spoiler, but check your local DMV about the conversion. Putting a 89 engine in a later model is strictly prohibited by federal EPA laws. But if you don't get caught by the local DMV who cares?



Steve

 

[AKimmel]

I hate to be the spoiler, but check your local DMV about the conversion. Putting a 89 engine in a later model is strictly prohibited by federal EPA laws. But if you don't get caught by the local DMV who cares?



Steve

I don't see the problem as long as he's keeping it titled as an 89. When you wreck something, and replace parts to fix it, where do you draw the line? If someone rolls a truck and it doesn't total it, insurance companies can figure a used cab. So I think this is no different.

 

[FAHLGUY]

I was planning on using the 92 body and frame... ... and title it as an 89... ... If I titled it as the 92 gasser I would have to meet emissions, here in NY diesels are not tested as of yet.



My goal is to really make this just a project/play truck.



Also the wiring on the 89 in the engine bay is pretty corroded..... so I am going to have to utilize the 92's wiring or find new wiring harness', or make new ones.

 

[Steve Graham]

I was planning on using the 92 body and frame... ... and title it as an 89... ... If I titled it as the 92 gasser I would have to meet emissions, here in NY diesels are not tested as of yet.



My goal is to really make this just a project/play truck.



Also the wiring on the 89 in the engine bay is pretty corroded..... so I am going to have to utilize the 92's wiring or find new wiring harness', or make new ones.

If you keep the 89 cab it'll be titled as a 89, if you use the 92 cab it will be titled as a 92, the vin number is on the cab. If your thinking of trading vin tags between the cabs, don't even go there. DMV is going to look at the vin tag and know what year it is. Sorry.



Steve

 

[MotleyCrueCab]

I would use the wiring harness from the newer truck if its in good shape. These engines are dirt simple to wire. All you really need is power to the fuel silenoid, and then there are a few wires for the guages. I Just swithc my 91 cab for a 85 crew cab and the wiring is pretty simple, at least compared to anything new or fuel injected. I switched vins also. All i had to do was drill out the rivits then re rivit it into the new dash.



Mike

 

[1stgen4evr]

(I switched vins also. All i had to do was drill out the rivits then re rivit it into the new dash. )



Sort of what I was thinking. Did you take the windshield out to do that?



Perhaps the original thought from DMV was to eliminate theft. As with all govt ideas, someone makes a mullet supper out of the whole thing.



James

 

[AKimmel]

If you keep the 89 cab it'll be titled as a 89, if you use the 92 cab it will be titled as a 92, the vin number is on the cab. If your thinking of trading vin tags between the cabs, don't even go there. DMV is going to look at the vin tag and know what year it is. Sorry.



Steve

All he would have to do is switch dashes, and the VIN stays with it. The decal in the door jamb gets removed a lot of time during a paint job, so the DMV won't ask where it's at. There is no other place on the cab stamped with a VIN, other than the trim tag under the cowl screen and it can be swapped or canned who cares. The cab is just another piece of sheetmetal, not a legal document!

 

[MotleyCrueCab]

Actually my dash was out when i switched vins. YOu do have to remove the windshield in order to remove the dash.