Hey everyone. I have searched all over this site and others about help with a Cummins swap but haven't really found anything that answers all my questions. Anyways I have a 2003 Dodge 2500 Hemi with the short bed. I am not going to get rid of the truck cause it belonged to my uncle who passed away. Right now it gets 8.8 MPG average in town. I want the power and benefits of a diesel. I have found a 97 cummins 12 valve complete engine with an Allison transmission and I think that would be easier than a 24 valve. What other parts do I need and what will labor cost? My budget after buying the transmission and motor is $3000. Thanks in advance for the help. Will post pictures once I get started, if I do.

 

I hate to be the one telling you this, but it might not be a legal engine swap.

Check your emissions laws before you start this. Installing an engine that is older than your year model vehicle is against the law in most states, so you might want to consider purchasing an "insurance totalled" vehicle the same year model as your truck (or newer) to use as the engine donor.



Kris

 

Sell the gasser and buy a diesel.

 

Do the swap. Hardest part will be getting the guages to work.

I see a lot of guys putting 12-valves in Ford Superdutys and get away with it. Must be a way around it to be legal or all the people doing swaps wouldn't be driving them on the road.

Tobin

 

What was the donor vehicle that had a Cummins 12v with a Allison trans???

 

There is NO way around the emissions if it gets caught. Period. If its a gasser the VIN will tell the emissions police and they don't want to mess around, FAIL.

A diesel to a diesel is a different story, which most of the Ford swaps are in newer trucks.


There are just so many things to work out on a conversion with all the electronics that its definitely a task to get things to work correctly. Not sure $3k is enough to even contemplate doing that.

 

Hey Kris. It is legal because it will be a farm truck. Thanks for bringing it up though! Also, the donor vehicle is a 1997 Dodge 2500. The engine has 48,000 miles. However the transmission came from a 2007 GMC and it has 58,000 miles on it but from what I hear this is nothing for either of these parts. All I am really looking for is a list of the other parts I will need to make this conversion complete. Thanks, Robert