Engine Swap into 80 model

[Bad340fish]

Hey Everyone,

My dad has a 1980 Crew Cab Dually. Truck has only 65K on it to the date and is in great condition mechanicly. But he just ordered a 24' enclosed race trailer. I figured his bombed 360 gets 7MPG now whats it gonna do with an enclosed trailer?? What all is involved in dropping a Intercooled B series into this truck?? I assume the truck itself is still the same as the pre 1993 models. Will it bolt up to the mounts?? Just curious. He doesn't feel like dropping 35K on a new truck when his is in like new condition minus the paint, and is built a hell of alot beefier than the new ones are. Thanks for any replys


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Clark
1999 2500 QC SB 5spd Flowmaster 3 chamber, K&N Re-0880
1968 Barracuda Formula S Viper Blue 11. 98@112

NHRA member for life

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

What do you need to know ?
Kyle

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1985 DODGE 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4 in 1999. Converted to a non-intercooled 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & rebuilt 5 speed Getrag in 2001(wife can't drive a stick . Freshly rebuilt and Balanced Cummins, Rebuilt NP205, Rebuilt Injector pump and tweaked, Matched Injectors, 3" New Mandrel Bent Exhaust,no muffler, Borgeson Steering Shaft, K&N Air Filter, 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers, 16K Reese 5th Wheel Hitch,and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. Next add-on some “Banks” toys ! If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand F**d and Ch**y. Kyle Hoover ,Fruitport, MI.

 

[Bad340fish]

What does it take, besides the obvious(Motor lol) Does it need to have the K member swapped or will the 5. 9 go in the stock K member? Does it need to have the fuel tanks replaced, or just cleaned? Will the rear crossmber still be in the same place?? If i remember right the cab has to be lifted to get the top crossmember bolts out. Its just something we have tossed around some, i didn't know if anyone else has done something like this. Thanks
Clark

 

[RJMurphy]

I'll second that, wadda ya need to know?
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Murfman

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83 D350 Crewcab Dyna-trac (DRW) Early 91 cummins 14 cm2 housing Banks Intercooler 3 1/2 straight pipe exhaust Horton Fan 96 47rh trans with DTT converter and Valvebody 93 style Radiator Core support and Grille Early 91 wiring Westcoast mirrors. Future plans include Injectors (ol blue or the Piers specials) Dakota Digital Dash Complete with boost egt tach fuel level temp trans temp speedo oil press and volts Audio/video system bed topper and bed rug

 

[RJMurphy]

Just saw your post, the K-frame is the same (On mine anyway) The stock mounts from the 91 donor worked I had to move the trans crossmember as I went to the 47 rh (Lockup) trans. I used the tank from the donor as well. My donor was bought from a wrecking yard with a Front end collision I changed the core support to a 93 style as the 911/2 and up trucks used a larger crossflow radiator and I figured while I was buying a radiator I mine as well go all the way and get the big one. I personally like the early 91 trucks as they have a simpler wiring harness (NO computer) but they have no intercooler (I bought a banks kit used from a TDR member in texas) the factory intercooled trucks have a better cyl. head but I've heard the non intercooled ones have better pistons. Ya choose yer own poision #ad
;D #ad
Murfman

 

[Jones]

Clark, I Dropped a Cummins into a '84 Ramcharger and swapped out the core support for the correct diesel radiator mounts and spacing. Swapped out the Ramcharger fuel tank for a later Ramcharger tank so I could run the big diameter diesel fuel tank sender unit. Swapped inside and underhood wiring harnesses for the circuitry dedicated to diesel (intake air heater stuff and "message center") and a few little trim pieces. On the underside of the transmission/Transfer case adapter housing is a plate that sits on top of the rear trans mounts. The two bolt holes to the trans had to be stretched 1/2 "
You'll want to run diesel application front springs to support the additional weight. With these changes in mind it is literally a bolt-in operation. Any specific questions, just e-mail me. Be glad to share any tricks I learned on mine.
Jones

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Jones
'84 Ramcharger w/CTD, non-gated 12, torqflite, NP205, Dana 60 and 70 w/ 3. 07s. Looks more or less stock.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I keep forgetting that there are a lot of Crew Cab Nuts out there besides myself. By the way what happened to the idea of a "Conversion Forum" ? Now down to brass tacks, The engine cradle A. K. A. K-frame, can be used from your old truck but you will have to drill the driver's side motor mount bolt hole. I removed the complete front clip when I did my conversion, and I would recommend you do the same. You can use your old radiator support but you will have to cut off the old radiator mounts if you want to use the "intercooled radiator" which is the way I went. You can buy the OEM radiator brackets at the Dealer. As for the transmission cross member I had to move mine back about 1 ½". The back two holes on both sides still line up so you will only have to drill 2 holes on each side of the frame(you might want to place a piece of metal between the frame and cab when drilling, this will keep you from adding a new hole in your cab #ad
). NOTE: I am using a Getrag 5 speed and don't know if this applies for a automatic. You will need to loosen the cab from the frame to move the upper cross member bolts and this is a good time to replace the cab mount bushings(I got some urethane bushing for mine at a local 4X4 shop). If you are going to do this, try to get a donor truck. The 1980 NP205 transfer case can be updated to handle a Getrag but it will cost you about $750. 00 for the conversion. IF you want to go that way let me know and I will get you the part numbers. Now if you have a OEM Diesel transfer case you will have to change the rear pinion yoke to handle the larger u-joints. Over all the conversion is the only way to go. Better milage, MORE power and you should see some of the looks I get from people who know something about Dodges. There are more things I can go over, such as installing the hydraulic clutch, I also have some photos and video of the Cummins going in. Just let me know what you need to know and I will try to help. I am sure between this group of "nuts" #ad
we should be able to answer your "conversion" questions.
Kyle

 

[fastmark]

I just finished a swap. A 91 intercooled into an 84 crew cab. I went with the 5 speed nv4500. A stick is a must with towing. I burn up a set of brakes every vacation with my 92 auto and a travel trailer. The clutch hits the GM ignition switch on the steering column so I changed all of the wiring, column, dash, fuel tank, and all. Motor mounts are a drop in. Had to fab a transmission and carrier bearing mount. Went with big u-joints and a dana 70 rear. Used 93 core support ,rad, intercooler and the rest. The best advise I can give is to find a wrecked truck at a wrecking yard and buy as much as you can from the same truck. Strip that thing clean. I paid 2500 for my everything except the trany. It doesn't cost that much more if you get it all at once. I even got the wiper motor. Its not an easy project but it is worthwhile. I wish I would have found this site first instead of finding all of this stuff out on my own.

 

[Bad340fish]

Thanks for the replys guys, I will link this to my dad and see what he says about it. The truck already has a dana 70 with 4. 10s and a Loadflight 727 trans. Thanks again

Clark