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Diesel Swap?
#733227 February 19th 2018 12:32 am
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TABrinn Offline OP
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Anyone here done one? My 5.9 Magnum is a little tired and will need some serious attention in the not too distant future. Rather than rebuild the Magnum and likely still get crummy economy, I was considering a 3.9 Cummins 4BT. It's a 4 cylinder turbo diesel most commonly found in bread trucks. They are one of the most popular diesel swaps out there but I have not seen one in a dodge van. There is a Ford E-series van on youtube with the 4bt swap. Its been put in about everything else, just haven't seen one in a Dodge Van. It is quite a bit heavier than the 5.9 magnum but I have the Heavy Duty 4000 lb front end so that shouldn't be an issue. I found an auction for some industrial equipment that has 2 Dorito trucks with 4BT backed by an Allison 1100 transmission the initial bid is at $250.

The main goal of the swap would be economy. The Workhorse Vans (bread trucks) are rated for 25mpg! I have also toyed around with the idea of burning WVO. There's a Chinese restaurant within walking distance from my house that I could source it from. Besides all that, the Cummins are super reliable. My father bought one new in his 89 Ram truck. It has over 300k now and runs just as strong as the day it rolled off the showroom floor. Last but certainly not least, NO more changing sparkplugs!!! LOL

What do yall think? Tips, advice, recommendations welcome.

Re: Diesel Swap?
TABrinn #733228 February 19th 2018 1:51 am
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I think it would be a great swap if you can pull it off. Dodge B series vans never had a diesel option, so you would have a lot of fabrication ahead of you. Fortunately, there are a large number of parts that interchange with the D series trucks, so it wouldn't be completely from scratch.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Diesel Swap?
Reed #733230 February 19th 2018 4:18 am
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TABrinn Offline OP
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The mounts would need fabbed for sure. Need something extra cushy to help absorb the vibrations they are known for. Brackets for the a/c, p/s, and other accessories too if they don't fit as is. They share all their parts with the 5.9 6 cyl Cummins so brackets can be sourced from there as well. Size wise it should fit since it is a 4 cylinder. Does anyone have the dimentions for the 5.9 magnum?

Re: Diesel Swap?
TABrinn #733682 March 03rd 2018 5:57 pm
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I remember that there's a Fuso box truck that used the a727 transmission, so some people have theorized that its diesel would be simpler to utilize because the stock small block a727 would bolt to it no problem, but all the details have left my memory... Which engine it was, or if it was any easier to mount in reality, all gone.

Re: Diesel Swap?
Miyagi #735397 April 22nd 2018 11:41 pm
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I researched and found a 4 ltr diesel was available on Dodge trucks and vans in the late 70's early 80's. The 6DR5 was gutless but offered great mpg. Turbos were a fairly common upgrade. I'm sure diesel tuning has advanced greatly since then. I think they used an adapter between to mate to the tranny.

I think a 6BT will be easiest if the length isn't an issue. If it won't fit, all the mounts and accessories will swap directly over to the 4BT. Just have to find me a donor truck for the right price.

Re: Diesel Swap?
TABrinn #735416 April 23rd 2018 9:15 am
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Using any more than 10% "French fry oil" voids the warrantee of ALL injector pump makers


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