98 conversion

[dylan0708]

Alright heres my problem i have a 98 12 5 speed with 72,000 in the truck. The problem is that its a 2wd and i want a 4X4!!!!!! however selling this truck is going to be near impossible, its a 2wd . so do you guys think it would be worth it to get a rolling chassis or parts truck and swap the body, engine, d80 lms rear axle and bed over? If so will the cab and bed off a 98 bolt right up to 94 to 97's? or is it a newer style like 98.5 to 02? i could use the input... i wanna do this the cheapest way possible, by the way I have a VERY capable machine shop and I'm pretty handy with a wrench, anything i don't know i can learn real fast.

[country_hick]

A lot of those who would want to buy a cummins would prefer to buy a 1998 12 valve 4 door extended cab truck. The 2wd is not a negative. It is simply how it came from the factory. When I bought my truck I specifically did NOT want a 4 wheel drive truck. While 4wd would be nice the bad front ends, the lower fuel economy, and the rougher ride made the rwd far more desirable to me. I only wish I had limited slip out back. I will have it eventually.

As far as cab swaps go the tin will interchange from 1994 to 2002 as long as the cab is the same size. Regular cab or extended cab and short or long bed will fit something that looks about the same. The wiring harness is a different question altogether. The 1998 12 valve is unique in some ways in the wiring department.

If you put that truck for sale on ebay it would almost certainly fetch over $7,000 if it is not rusty or screwed up and could potentially go over $10,000. There are to few trucks and to many bidders on there for me to buy a dodge 2nd gen diesel there.

[dstang97]

I may be getting rid of a 98 complete rolling chassis. When are you looking to do all of this work?

[dylan0708]

Anytime really I'm off to college in August. What size frame? Ex cab long bed? How many miles what's the condition? Tranny t case?

[dstang97]

I have 2.RCLB One is a 95 and one is a 98. the 98 has an auto. you could use all of the brackets and front axle out of the one I don't decide to keep.

[dylan0708]

How much are you looking to get?

[DSM909]

This is kinda just my opinion... but if you have the available fab skills it might be cheaper and easier to swap in a leaf spring axle... keeping in mind anything you get is going to need a little freshening up. Its really really easy to mount a set of leaf springs. I have done tons of chevys and plan on doing my dodge soon down the road. And honesty, the dodge dana 60 front end kinda sucks. You would have a very solid truck if you went with a king pin 60. They are just getting harder to find. But they are still easier to find than a rolling chassis.

And despite was people say, if you can fit a fairly long leaf in the front and maybe some mild dual shocks to keep bounce under control, it will ride like a Cadillac. The longer the spring the better the ride. And leafs are tougher than coils in the long run.

Just an idea.....

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[dylan0708]

hmm yeah i see where your coming from. Im going to school to be an engineer so i could use their machine shop... maybe even turn this into a class project! But i think it be easier if i had the chassis for all the steering components.

[dstang97]

chopping up my 95 if you are still looking.