I'm just curious bout sumthing. I have a 1980 ford 3/4 ton pick-up and i was wondering if you guys might have a idea how much it would cost and how long it would take to put a 12v 5.9 cummins engine into it? Is it all really worth it? I found a engine for just under $1000. I think that it would be a good idea to put either a nv4600 or nv5600 tranny in it. It currently has a 400 propane burner in it. Thanks, Brett

 

$1000 is pretty good for a complete motor given that it is ok so off to a good start there. I havent pesonally done a engine swap but I think that every project is different and hard to say how much and how long it would take. It all would just depend on what your working with and what shape it is in and how much more you have to put into it to make it work. I know that isnt quite what you are looking for but with a conversion I think that it would be hard to give a good estimate on time and $$. Hopefully someone else whom has done one will get in here and can give you a more closer estimate. Good luck with your venture though.

 

price out a trans and a flywheel/clutch. might need a custom driveshaft. is it a 4x4??? custom mounts will be needed too, and weather or not your going to run an intercooler.

 

4 months and about $15,000 into my swap, and i think the other cummins conversion guys will pretty much agree with that. i also bought a COMPLETE truck for 1500 bucks. dont just buy a motor, itll absolutely kill you financially doing it that way. when you start pricing intercooler, tubing boots, radiator tranny, flywheel, drive shafts crossmembers etc etc. buy a complete truck if your going to do it itll save you alot of time. but regaurdless make sure you have the time and money to do it

 

thanks for all the info, by looks of it, it might be awhile before i tackle this project

 

$15 GRAND?!? Holy COW! How much of that is really essential for the engine swap - and how much is axles, upgrades, and such?

 

the majority of it was essential for the swap. give about 3,500 in upgrades. i would say at least 10,000 for the actual swap itself

 

WOW! Guess I won't even be considering that one!

 

see the problem is everyone thinks oh i have a motor trans and transfer case i have everything i need, but not even close. people forget about things like radiator, intercooler and boots, motor mounts, new transmission crossmembers, fuel systems and fuel lines, transmission mounts, fluids, hoses for the radiator, coolant, nuts and bolts, new throttle linkages, etc etc etc. and if your puttin it in an ifs chevy than you go to he lengths of having to straight axle it to clear the oil pan and so that the transfer case will clear the rear torsion bar crossmember.

not to mention, if you cant wire it yourself, you can plan on spending $1000 plus just to get it wired.

than you go things like beefier steering, making drivelines made, etc etc etc. the list just goes on and on and on. so for the guys who think you can drop it in and go, it just isnt that easy, plain and simple. i wish it was cuz id do more of them if it was