Older Cummins in an 03 Ram
 

I'm trying to figure out how involved it'll be to put an older, 'mechanical' Cummins in an 03 Ram 2500 Quad Cab, 4x4, 5.7L, auto truck. I'm new to this conversion world but not new to driving trucks with diesel engines - pickups and 'big' trucks. What I really need to know is a ball park $figure$ of what it might cost due to the difficulty of such a conversion if I have someone else do the job at competitive rates. Which Cummins between 89 & 98.5 were less trouble and better fuel misers. Will appreciate any help from you guys. There seems to be an incredible amount of talent on this site so I'm looking forward to learn all I can.

it will cost alot of money to start off. but the biggest reason not to do it is because of the soon-to-be 50 state diesel smogs. youll never be able to smog an 03 truck with a 90's diesel engine. hate to say that but its the sad truth. youd be 10 times better off to sell it and get a truck thats a diesel from the factory. not to mention the time and headache youd save

get a different truck, i've seen reman. motors go for 2500 and thats no hardware. or save and buy an old 12v. hell i paid 4600 for mine and its a beast

I appreciate your answer and that doesn't surprise me. I guess I just needed to hear from someone else.

you'll get wise when post after consistant post will tell you the same thing but who the hell am i to tell you, nobody.:nope:

The front end on that truck can't hold it's own weight without falling apart, much less the weight of a 5.9L Cummins. I would swap in a solid axle while I'm at it.

Depending upon where you are, you will run into trouble with smog laws. You can put a newer engine into an older truck, but you usually can't go the other way.
The cost will be prohibitive if you have someone else do the conversion for you, several thousand just in labor.
If you do it, the springs will have to be swapped for heavier ones.
You are better-off selling yours, and getting an older truck.
Are you emotionally attached to your truck?

I am finishing my conversion right now. Engine is a 12 valve from a 93 (ve pumped) getrag g360 trans replacing the nv4500. My truck was orig. an 05 2500 4x4 quad cab 5.7 hemi 5 spd man. Let the naysayers speak- Needs pics or tips let me know. dollar wise Donor truck 2500 + rebuild trans 1300 + clutch 500 + motor mounts 100 + radiator250 + intercooler 150 used (so far) =4800. minus -sold axles from donor truck 800 scrapped donor truck 150 sold hemi engine 1700 sold nv4500 trans 800 =3450. cost so far 1350 Almost done!!!:jump: Had i not been forced to rebuild trans I would have broke even minus time. Before you get excited this has been a long process and very frustrating lots of things just dont "bolt up"

to be honest i have kind of a hard time believing you did it that cheap in a nice install. i added up all my reciepts today on my swap and i easily broke the $15K mark.

you forget to add things up like wiring computers radiator hoses nuts and bolts etc etc etc.

if it could be done for 1500 bucks, ALOT more people would be doing the swap

that doesnt even semi alter the fact that now you have a diesel truck, that will never pass smog or be road legal once new diesel smogs go into law

Bolts, welding wire/gas, grinding wheels, paint, metal, fuel to go get parts, food and beer....

you forgot all that, plus a lot more I bet.

My build is ridiculously cheap because I got such great deals on the drivetrain and I'm still going to be at 8k.

It cost $3,000-$3,200for my Dad's Cummins conversion of his Ford. $2,200 for the engine, trans, 4in exhaust and wiring. $800 -$1,000for the inter cooler, radiator, boost tubes, hoses, overdrive conversion, and misc.

that was probably already 4wd straight axled or a 2wd though. you gotta remember has half ton ifs on that thing. half his budget will consist of upgrading suspension

My Dad's truck is a 1 tonne, that used to be a 460 gasser. He had to put heavier and taller springs in, and get the front end realigned.
All tjb4fr has too do is swap out the springs for the ones that came with the Cummins and get the front end realigned, if there is a difference i ride height. He already has a 3/4 tonne.
For the conversion, you are best off getting a doner truck to use. Then tack on 1,000-1,200 dollars to the cost. If you are doing the labor yourself. But, make sure you can do the conversion, and pass smog. You may need to have the truck listed as a special construct.

arent those ifs trucks? or did they use a solid axle on the 2500 and 3500?

depending on the year, the 250 was a ttb system, and the 1 ton was a solild axle,

those who dont believe
 

I have not bought one bolt or nut. Have not had to grind anything, and had i used a later model block i would not have needed to weld at all. I spent about 6 months researching what parts I would need and a year locating the right truck. How much money can you spend on hose clamps and hardware? I forgot I spent 50 bucks on engine paint. I never said it was easy. It has been time consuming and I'm sure I have another 400-500 to finalize everything. Sounded like the guy who started this post wanted to hear from someone who wasnt going to shoot his idea down and had never attempted it. The prices I paid for the parts and prices listed for what I sold my orig parts are true. Sorry if that irritates you. Also, Why would new diesel regs effect an 05 model?

new 50 state (soon to take place) will require smog on 1998 and newer diesel vehicles. and much like gas engine smogs, they will not let you put an engine in a car or truck that is older than the body of the vehicle. hence why we were saying that putting a 1990's engine in a 2005 truck is not a good idea, because even if it was free, it wouldnt change the fact that you wont be able to drive it. just like a gas car works, no smog = no tags = no driving it on the road

Dad's Ford is a twin "I" beam. Just about the hardest front end you can deal with, when installing a Cummins.:argh: I don't think much of this type of suspension.:nope: When you put a load on the front end, the caster and camber go out of adjustment until you take the load off.:td: I think it would have been easier to have converted to a 4wd while putting the Cummins in, instead of putting the engine in with the stock suspension. The Ifs and Irs on my HMMWV is much better. Set it and forget it. :tu: