Choices, Choices, Choices

[77crewcab]

I have been looking at the cost to rebuild my 454/400 in my crewcab with plans for a 496/400. The total looks to be coming out at about $4500-5000. Last night my uncle called and asked if I still wanted his "old truck" he is having trouble driving a manual trans due to bad knees. I had asked several years ago that if he ever decided to sell it give me a call. He is asking $3000. The body is beat up BAD (farm/ranch truck), and interior shot. But mechanically is topnotch. He beat the hell out of the truck but kept it perfectly maintained and with all records. It is a 1993 Dodge, with intercooled 6bt and a banks kit, the Getrag 5 speed, and only 120K miles. So I am looking at it as I could buy the truck, swap the engine/trans to my crewcab, convert to diesel tanks, convert to manual vs auto, all for about the same if not less than building the 496/400. Anyone see any issues doing it for $5000 or less?

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

intercooled 6bt/manual vs 496/th400?

i'd go diesel.

 

[tymbom]

You can't buy a 12v or 6bt around here for 3k. I'd go diesel. Especially since you're getting a whole truck. If you're lucky you won't need too much. Maybe just an Avalanche crossmember.

 

[77crewcab]

I am still trying to price out what all I will need to do the swap. But have decided that it will definately happen. Just not in the immediate future. I plan to use one of the 'burbs I have and cut it down to make a mock up/engine run stand. Basically I will cut the burb in half between the doors and have the front section as a mock up/engine run stand. I want to have it mocked up and running this way first so that I don't have my crewcab down for that time period. Once everything is good I can swap everything into the crewcab in a weekend and be good to go.

 

[82355]

Go diesel.

Martin