Considering a Cummins in Durango?

[dPierce]

I'd like to get an SUV for the wife, but the mileage on the Durango sucks... bad. Anybody have thoughts on dropping a 12 or 24 V ISB into a Durango. I know it would be a ton of work, but it might be worth it in the "how cool is that category" and of course longevity/mileage.



I realize I'd need the 47RE trans, rear axle, beef up the frame and suspension, etc. , etc. Just wondering if someone more knowledgeable than I (which really wouldn't take much) has looked into or thought about this as a project.



Pierce

 

[dshockley]

It would be better in my opinion (and maybe cheaper) to find a good used ram and send it to bayer auto to be converted into a ram suv!!! The conversion will cost you about 18k.



Good luck,

Dan

 

[Hudsonhawk]

I owned a Durango before I go the Ram. I loved it and loved driving it. I traded it cause I needed more towing capacity. I managed 13. 5 to 14. 5 MPG with the 4. 7L and 3. 92 gears.



That being said, the stock front end is way too weak to support that much weight. The 2X4 uses a coil spring front but the 4X4 is a torsion bar set up. Both use cheap ball joints that are barely adequit to the stock weight. Heck, I blew out one of my torsion bars on a mining road in Colorado. You would have to do a major rebuild.



I like the idea of getting an older Ram and doing an SUV conversion on it. Probably cost less and be an overall better vehicle in the long run. Not to mention the novelty factor of it.

 

[GHinton]

I've seen a 12v CTD in a Dakota, same body style as the Durango. It was a very tight fit, as you can imagine, I know the firewall had to be moved back and the radiator was in the bed.

So, I'm sure it can be done, I just wonder where will the radiator go? Of course, this was a drag truck, and you don't really need the intercooler core... ...

 

[NScott]

Consider putting a B 3. 9T in it. A 4 cylinder is shorter and might fit without as many sheet metal ($$$) modifications. I don't think it would burn rubber but you would smile with the fuel milage