Dear community,
I just bought a W150 gas (V8) Club Cab and thinking about converting it to a diesel (I do have a D250 donor truck).
Has Dodge ever offered a W150 diesel?
Everything looks a bit smaller than at the D250 donor truck. (Curb weight is 4500 lbs.)
Has anyone ever converted a W150 to diesel?
What do I need partswise?
Has anyone experiences with the Ca. DMV?
Best regards.
Joerg

 

The cummins is significantly heavier than the gas engine, just under 1000 lbs., not including trans. Im assuming your gonna use the w250 trans.? You will certainly have to upgrade the suspension, as it will make the front end droop. Those w150 frames were not noted to be very stout, and that cummins will likely twist it pretty good. My dad used to have a 1990 w150 2wd shortbed pick-up with the 318 gas engine. The frame cracked in two places. One crack right at the steering box area, and the other at the right rear leaf spring (front mount). The truck only had 101k miles and never abused.
The cummins may cause issues, but maybe someone with experience can chime in and offer a solution.

 

If you use the W 250 axles and springs At least fronts you should be good to go. there are a bunch of ramcarger conversions out there and they are pretty much the same as a W150

 

...so the W150 will likely not be able to withstand the cummins?
too bad. Bought it for the 4WD.

 

The W150s had 6" frames, the Cummins trucks had 8" frames. I wouldn't use a W150 chassis for sled pulling, to be sure, but If you're just going to drive the truck like a normal DD, you shouldn't have any problems (provided you use the 3/4-ton+ running gear). Cracks near the steering box are common, both in gas and diesel trucks between '72 and '93. I wouldn't worry about it.

As mentioned, Cummins swaps in Ramchargers aren't unheard of. If a wimpy little Ramcharger frame can take it, a 1/2-ton p/u frame can, too.

 

A short bed W150 Cummins would be a fun DD

 

Have you considered researching ways in which to reinforce the frame, rollcage perhaps, or the like to minimize flex? Being its a 4x4, Im quite sure youre gonna take it off road and "have some fun" with it. Just a hunch.........

 

Standard cab Cummins are 6"(I just measured one to make sure) just like the 150. club cabs and crews and up have 8" frames.
The reason I know is When I went transmission cross member hunting. I ended up with a W150 cross member It Is exactly the same shape and thickness as the truck my W250 Cummins swap parts came from.

 

It would certainly be an attention getter.

 

Only the '89-'90 Cummins trucks had 6" frames. Still a different part number than the gas trucks, even between the Cummins and 360LA 3/4-tons. Chrysler started using 8" frames in late '90 for good reason; people were using their diesels like diesels.

My 91.5 is a standard cab and has an 8" frame.