I'm trying to gather the parts to put a cummins in my crew cab. My crew cab is a 85 W350 with 67000 miles on it. I picked up a 518 with NP205 awhile back. Today I Looked at a 90 W250 with cummins 727 NP205 dana 61 dana 70 3.07 gears. The 90 had 155000 on it. I want to use the non IC engine with the 518 and keep my 4.10 gears that's in my truck. I'm running 37" pro comps so I think my 4.10 will be good with the OD. I want to eventually be in the 250-300 horse range. I have a 2nd gen intercooler located. Should I get it? Will this engine be good for the power range I'm looking for??? Or would the IC engine be better to start with?? I'm gonna get a good converter for the trans to start with. Not wanting to go extreme with this just want good reliable power. This truck will be my everyday truck used to pull my other toys around. Please give your opinions and suggestions on this.

 

Sounds like you have a plan, and a sound one at that. I would go with everything you have laid out, seems like it will turn into a nice truck when completed.

I would go with the pre-IC 1990 truck. It will be an easier swap into your early crewcab. The IC trucks had the ECM, and a lot more electronics to contend with. The 89 CTD that was swapped into my 84 D350 crewcab was a very simple swap and you have a much simpler system to deal with...IMO...

The 2nd Gen IC is a good swap, if you can get it for a decent buck then I'd jump on it.

Make sure you post up pics as you progress with your big W350 Crew!!

 

Go with a IC motor and swap everything from dash foward to the crew it will all bolt right back into place

 

Will be posting pics once I get father along. As of right now it is a bare cab sittin on the frame. Its got a date with the sand blaster commin up. What's the major differences between the two 1st gen engines???? Any advantages between the two???? Thrashingcows, you mentioned less electronics can you tell me more on this???? Keep in mind that I know very little about the cummins trucks. I've always been a mopar guy and have built a lot of 80s dodge trucks but NO experience with the cummins.

 

If you pull the whole front clip windshield and everything and use a ic 91.5 to 93 truck everything from dash foward will bolt right back in very easy to do wiring harness and all will swap over just take your time and if need be ask alot of Question;s

 

The non i/c motors have a slightly larger injector in them so they will make a little more power. we want some pics!!!!! lol

 

I was in the exact same boat as you just over 6 months ago...long time mopar guy, but knew very little about the intricate workings of the cummins diesel. But after Many, many, many hours of reading, asking questions, and making mistakes, and then solving them with the help of the archives, the sticky and the general amazingness of the people on the DTR I am very confident now.