89 d250 gas to diesel swap. help please

89d250beast · 10-08-2008, 12:17 AM

i have an 89 d250 2wd with the 4 speed. i was recently pulling a 8000 pound tractor when i down shifted too harshly and blew my 318 all to pieces.(i feel so stupid) anyway the body and frame are nearly perfect so i want to keep it and swap in a cummins. here are my questions

1. would it be a mostly bolt in operation?
2. which version of the 5.9 would u use?
3. where is the best place to find a motor?
4. can i also swap in a 6spd to increase mileage(without undo fustration)
5. do i need any frame/suspension mods
6. what other parts will i need.
7. also, any specialty tools i will need

i dont have that much diesel know how. my family prefers fords with 460 big blocks. but im 19 and want something different and that gets better than 6mpg. and other than frigide temps here in michigan, i dont see that many drawbacks for a diesel. so..........any advise or help is greatly appreciated

thanx, cameron

Last edited by 89d250beast : 10-08-2008 at 12:36 AM.

rufushusky · 10-08-2008, 06:57 AM

Howdy!

I would go with a 12V Cummins engine, which you could find in Dodge pick ups from 89 to 98. I would prefer a 94-98 for the p-pump, cause it can flow a wicked amount of fuel. As far as trans, if you could your hands on a nv5600 that would be really nice, those things are beasts. The zf6s outta the duramax powered chevies and 99+ fords are not that bad either. I would check out:

Auto World
DESTROKED: Cummins Conversions

Lots of good info there.

__________________
Dennis
04.5 Ram 2500 Reg Cab 4x4 5.9, 48re, AEM, Smarty, TS Ramifier, Banks High Ram,FASS HPFP, Boost/pyro/trans/FP/RP gauges, 5" Exhaust, Cat 2 micron fuel filter, Amsoil Bypass

Check out: Rig of the Month!

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/rig-month/

89d250beast · 10-08-2008, 10:55 PM

hey thanx rufushusky

anybody know offhand what type of stock power the 94-98 12v put out

__________________
89 d250 manual pos, 95 f250 460(sunday truck)
96 f350 powerstroke dually 260k (try to kill it so i can get a 24v but the stupid truck wont die)

Matt 12 · 10-08-2008, 10:58 PM

i beleave there is a 160hp and 180hp versions or its 180hp and 210hp but im not 100% sure

__________________
00 Ram 2500 qc sport, 5 spd, Adrenaline w/ pulse, ATS arc flow, BD three piece, AFE stage 2 intake, BD VP44 on the way.
05 Ram 2500 QC, SB, 6 spd, stock for now.

Last edited by Matt 12 : 10-08-2008 at 11:04 PM.

rufushusky · 10-09-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt 12

i beleave there is a 160hp and 180hp versions or its 180hp and 210hp but im not 100% sure

I think it varies from a 160hp 94 auto to a 215 hp 98 manual.

__________________
Dennis
04.5 Ram 2500 Reg Cab 4x4 5.9, 48re, AEM, Smarty, TS Ramifier, Banks High Ram,FASS HPFP, Boost/pyro/trans/FP/RP gauges, 5" Exhaust, Cat 2 micron fuel filter, Amsoil Bypass

Check out: Rig of the Month!

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/rig-month/

Philip · 10-09-2008, 08:02 AM

You would be cheaper off on this swap to buy a complete 1st gen diesel truck. If you buy everything a piece at a time it will add up fast.

With yours being a 2WD model your limited to a 5spd trans in the Dodge lineup. The 6 spd's do not have a speedo provision. The 1st gen diesel trucks used a getrag 360 trans. The 94 to 2002 models used the NV4500 5spds with the NV5600 6spd being an option. Both of those 5spd trans has some issues. So its a toose up which one to use.

Your going to need a rear axle also. Your truck will have a Dana 60 or a 9 1/4 corperate alxe. Both are light duty for a Cummins.

__________________
93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, HX40/16, auto, 307's axles' B&W flatbed,

Last edited by Philip : 10-09-2008 at 08:04 AM.

89d250beast · 10-09-2008, 02:50 PM

i have to say im not worried about a higher end cost. because i can go slow and buy parts when i need them. also up here in michigan, the only 1st gens u see are rusted out and have better than 300k. my truck has lived in a barn and only has 57k on it. ive found adapter plates and motor and tranny sites, but i cant find a site that sells the engine mounts to put the cummind in. i found one for burbs but is completly unhelpful.
anybody know of a site, or im a gonna have to make my own.
thanx for the imput so far
cameron

__________________
89 d250 manual pos, 95 f250 460(sunday truck)
96 f350 powerstroke dually 260k (try to kill it so i can get a 24v but the stupid truck wont die)

10-08-2008, 12:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
89d250beast Cummins Fan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: southwest michigan Posts: 89 89d250beast's Truck Pics	89 d250 gas to diesel swap. help please i have an 89 d250 2wd with the 4 speed. i was recently pulling a 8000 pound tractor when i down shifted too harshly and blew my 318 all to pieces.(i feel so stupid) anyway the body and frame are nearly perfect so i want to keep it and swap in a cummins. here are my questions 1. would it be a mostly bolt in operation? 2. which version of the 5.9 would u use? 3. where is the best place to find a motor? 4. can i also swap in a 6spd to increase mileage(without undo fustration) 5. do i need any frame/suspension mods 6. what other parts will i need. 7. also, any specialty tools i will need i dont have that much diesel know how. my family prefers fords with 460 big blocks. but im 19 and want something different and that gets better than 6mpg. and other than frigide temps here in michigan, i dont see that many drawbacks for a diesel. so..........any advise or help is greatly appreciated thanx, cameron Last edited by 89d250beast : 10-08-2008 at 12:36 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum Advertisement

10-08-2008, 06:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
rufushusky Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The People's republic of Massachusetts Posts: 4,146 rufushusky's Truck Pics	Howdy! I would go with a 12V Cummins engine, which you could find in Dodge pick ups from 89 to 98. I would prefer a 94-98 for the p-pump, cause it can flow a wicked amount of fuel. As far as trans, if you could your hands on a nv5600 that would be really nice, those things are beasts. The zf6s outta the duramax powered chevies and 99+ fords are not that bad either. I would check out: Auto World DESTROKED: Cummins Conversions Lots of good info there. __________________ Dennis 04.5 Ram 2500 Reg Cab 4x4 5.9, 48re, AEM, Smarty, TS Ramifier, Banks High Ram,FASS HPFP, Boost/pyro/trans/FP/RP gauges, 5" Exhaust, Cat 2 micron fuel filter, Amsoil Bypass Check out: Rig of the Month! http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/rig-month/

10-08-2008, 10:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
89d250beast Cummins Fan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: southwest michigan Posts: 89 89d250beast's Truck Pics	hey thanx rufushusky anybody know offhand what type of stock power the 94-98 12v put out __________________ 89 d250 manual pos, 95 f250 460(sunday truck) 96 f350 powerstroke dually 260k (try to kill it so i can get a 24v but the stupid truck wont die)

10-08-2008, 10:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Matt 12 Cummins Fan Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Avondale, AZ Posts: 49 Matt 12's Truck Pics	i beleave there is a 160hp and 180hp versions or its 180hp and 210hp but im not 100% sure __________________ 00 Ram 2500 qc sport, 5 spd, Adrenaline w/ pulse, ATS arc flow, BD three piece, AFE stage 2 intake, BD VP44 on the way. 05 Ram 2500 QC, SB, 6 spd, stock for now. Last edited by Matt 12 : 10-08-2008 at 11:04 PM.

10-09-2008, 08:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Philip 1ST GEN TECH ADVISOR Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,136 Philip's Truck Pics	You would be cheaper off on this swap to buy a complete 1st gen diesel truck. If you buy everything a piece at a time it will add up fast. With yours being a 2WD model your limited to a 5spd trans in the Dodge lineup. The 6 spd's do not have a speedo provision. The 1st gen diesel trucks used a getrag 360 trans. The 94 to 2002 models used the NV4500 5spds with the NV5600 6spd being an option. Both of those 5spd trans has some issues. So its a toose up which one to use. Your going to need a rear axle also. Your truck will have a Dana 60 or a 9 1/4 corperate alxe. Both are light duty for a Cummins. __________________ 93 W350 w/duals, fuel pin turned, 6X.018" injectors, 4" exhaust, 3" air intake horn, HX40/16, auto, 307's axles' B&W flatbed, Last edited by Philip : 10-09-2008 at 08:04 AM.

10-09-2008, 02:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
89d250beast Cummins Fan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: southwest michigan Posts: 89 89d250beast's Truck Pics	i have to say im not worried about a higher end cost. because i can go slow and buy parts when i need them. also up here in michigan, the only 1st gens u see are rusted out and have better than 300k. my truck has lived in a barn and only has 57k on it. ive found adapter plates and motor and tranny sites, but i cant find a site that sells the engine mounts to put the cummind in. i found one for burbs but is completly unhelpful. anybody know of a site, or im a gonna have to make my own. thanx for the imput so far cameron __________________ 89 d250 manual pos, 95 f250 460(sunday truck) 96 f350 powerstroke dually 260k (try to kill it so i can get a 24v but the stupid truck wont die)