W150 Diesel?
 

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:tu:

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.........:w2:

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.

That figures. mine was built on 8-89.

I will measure the frame and get back to you guys. Mine is a 1990 club cab with a gas V8.

I'll save you the trouble; it's 6". If you want to do it, go for it. I'm a c**t hair away from putting the 12v from my 91.5 into my Ramcharger. Not even a thick, black c**t hair, either. A thin, red one. That's real close.

Let us know I think it is 7 1/2or 8"

Ah, club cab. It may well be 8". It ain't 7.5", though. I think those were limited to early 1-ton trucks. I've been known to be wrong from time to time, though.

Like he said, let us know. Now I'm interested.

Very well could be I can't even remember the last time I saw a 7.5" Some engineer at Dodge liked ??.5 I have a set of rear spring spacer blocks from a late 80s early 90s W150 that are 3.5" tall The W250 ones I have are 3". go figure.

1990 W150 Club Cab frame is a 7.5 inch frame.
Best regards.
Jörg

:jump:Looks like a good swap to me.:jump:

The W150 has 15 inch rims.
Do the D250 rims (16 inch) fit?
Thanks.
Jörg

No they have a different bolt patterns.

Well, I'll be damned. Swap it in. The frame is golden. You'll need 3/4-ton+ running gear, especially springs. The 6bt weighs a helluva lot more than the LA V8 that came in the truck.

Exactly.