Anyone done a Half-Ton swap ???
 

I have aquired a mint-looking very low mileage Half-Ton Dodge Ram 1997 year...

I was thinking about swapping my Cummins 5.9 into it and therefore i will be getting a short-bed truck with a 12valve :bat:

Is the frame a issue ??? i will without a doubt swap axles as well... !!!

Jeff Garmin put a 12v in an 04 1500 used the stock rear end and put 2500 coils up front the frames were all the same I think just a heavier driveline and susp

Go over to pavemensucks.com, and look in the cummins section, my buddy did it on a 97 half ton. He also dropped a 2000 gas cab on his 96 dually.

thanks guys..... i will use my axles and suspension... :)

I'm pretty sure the 2500 frame is built heavier, (I think it is physically taller) but if you aren't going to be towing or hauling big loads you might be fine.

I haven't compared them side by side so I could be wrong.

i actually put a 97 half ton ext cab short bed on my 94 reg cab long bed frame. had the swap done in 4 days. and i worked at my job for 2 of them during the day. with doing that i had to install a 3 inch body lift because the cab would have hit the sending unit on the tank. you do have to move the axel back exactly 4 inches.. but with the lift you do not have to move that right away. only people that know trucks will ever notice. :w2: ..i have mine completely finished and love it.. you would have to move some body mounts but no big deal.. OOhh. i almost forgot you do need to extend your body mounts because the frames are wider starting in 97 i do believe but youll get it.

The 2500 frame is bigger. The front springs will hold well enough, but wouldn't hurt to swap those. Rear end will hold up as long as you stay stock or at least don't go crazy power.