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Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage *DELETED*
#1708898
12/10/14 12:47 PM
12/10/14 12:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Canada
demon
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Canada
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: dogdays]
#1708904
12/10/14 02:06 PM
12/10/14 02:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,783
Corpus Christi, TX
shanker
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,783
Corpus Christi, TX
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depending on your budget..
if it was enough to cover a diesel swap, Id got 4BT in a HEARTBEAT!
otherwise, a big block (383/400/400) built conservatively with good low end torque and 3.21 to 2.76 gears would be OK enough to get you into the high teen's..
There was a guy either here or on RCC, that had a 4BT in a 74-75 Ramcharger and claimed to get 30MPG Highway/25MPG City.
The Federal Government has not yet learned that you cannot legislate morality
1970 Coronet R/T FF4/FF8/V85/V1G 440/Auto/3.23
1970 Coronet R/T FK5/FK5/V8W/V1W 440/Auto/3.55
1970 Super Bee TX9/TX9/V8W/N96 383/Auto/3.91
1975 Duster 360 VS29L5 Daily Driver
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: shanker]
#1708905
12/10/14 03:49 PM
12/10/14 03:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,627
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,627
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: shanker]
#1708906
12/10/14 04:05 PM
12/10/14 04:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,537
Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,537
Freeport IL USA
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Assuming the motor is in good condition, one might think more MPG can be had through driver input, and vehicle usage then through mechanical modification. Then more MPG would likely come from transmission (OD) and axle gearing then through motor changes, and that gearing change has to be towards the most often truck usage. Changing gearing and motor functions for highway mileage is pretty useless if the truck spends its time in the city, and if that driving time is mostly done on short trips when the motor seldom reaches operating temperature, nothing much is going to help. These mileage threads always turn into a pizzing match.  Gene
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: CTD5.9]
#1708908
12/10/14 04:40 PM
12/10/14 04:40 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Quote:
Another starting point for a mid 70's ramcharger would probably be a transmission/transfer case swap. A 518 and part time 4wd will probably get you a few MPG
If the OP could snag a complete 92-95 ram or dakota that would be ideal. I would swap over the engine, trans, efi and diffs. I would not want a 70's full time 4wd for any kind of mpg.
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1708909
12/10/14 06:10 PM
12/10/14 06:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760
Canada
CTD5.9
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760
Canada
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Quote:
If the OP could snag a complete 92-95 ram or dakota that would be ideal. I would swap over the engine, trans, efi and diffs. I would not want a 70's full time 4wd for any kind of mpg.
A 92-93 would work, 94+ would be a ton of work.
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: CTD5.9]
#1708910
12/10/14 06:26 PM
12/10/14 06:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
If the OP could snag a complete 92-95 ram or dakota that would be ideal. I would swap over the engine, trans, efi and diffs. I would not want a 70's full time 4wd for any kind of mpg.
A 92-93 would work, 94+ would be a ton of work.
As long as it's 95 and earlier it's doable. Once you hit 96 and the OBD-2, the wiring and ecu issues become a nightmare. The OBD-1 engine harnesses can be dissected realitively easily. And once you're done you will find the engine harness is remarkably self contained. I think I only had to connect two or three wires to the carbed engine harness to get the engine to run.
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: demon]
#1708913
12/11/14 12:56 PM
12/11/14 12:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Quote:
Another possibly I considered is a Jeep 4.0 liter 6.
The biggest difficulty in any swap is the transfer case. Anyone know Jeep transfer cases?
Yeah they put the front driveshaft on the driver's side of the trans. I found this one out when I swapped a 318 magnum into my Jeep. Put the front driveshaft right where the 5.2 starter wanted to be!
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: CTD5.9]
#1708914
12/11/14 12:57 PM
12/11/14 12:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Quote:
Sorry you are correct on the engine, I was thinking more along the lines of the transfer case + differentials. They switched to the coil over front and the drivers side drop in 94 which would make swapping them in a ton of work. I think an old transfer case would bolt up to the transmission though.
Ok I'm not as familiar with those. If a guy was to swap in the newer diffs with the the newer transfer case and trans how would that work?
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1708915
12/11/14 03:18 PM
12/11/14 03:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760
Canada
CTD5.9
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760
Canada
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Quote:
Ok I'm not as familiar with those. If a guy was to swap in the newer diffs with the the newer transfer case and trans how would that work?
trans and transfer case would be fine, The front diff would need major frame work since they did away with the leafs. You could however find an older ford Dana 44 or 60 and put it in to work with the new transfer case.
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: demon]
#1708917
12/12/14 03:43 PM
12/12/14 03:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,310
Walnut Creek, CA
blown340
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,310
Walnut Creek, CA
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Thinking outside the box, what about the mercedes OM606 turbodiesel? Great mileage and very tuneable. They can be retrofit with a mechanical injection pump from the (i think) OM603. Its a car based engine so it would have more flexibility in RPM range than a 4bt as well as being much lighter.
-Jon
70 challenger convertible. 340/5 speed. blown, intercooled, efi, blah blah blah
71 valiant scamp 318/A833OD/AC/PS
00 dakota RC 4.7L 5 spd autoX'r. SRT10/T56 swap in process
73 W200 Power wagon, PTO winch, 4 spd
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1708919
12/14/14 12:43 AM
12/14/14 12:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
ahy
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
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Quote:
A 318 magnum swap is probably the best bang for your buck. Reasonably low mileage 318 magnums can be found. But whether or not you keep the fuel injection, one thing you can really do to get the efficiency up is to take the engine apart and have the block decked to get the pistons up to zero deck, then run a .040 head gasket. Stock the pistons are just a little too far down in the hole and the head gaskets I think are a little too thick. Doing this will get the compression up a bit and set it up for quench. IMO worth it for the real wold efficiency and power gains.
Sounds like a good approach to me... 
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: ahy]
#1708920
12/14/14 05:03 PM
12/14/14 05:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,151
Cruising!
QuickDodge
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,151
Cruising!
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If I recall correctly, back in the 1980's the 2 wheel drive, 1/2 ton, 318 powered trucks with the 833OD (4 speed overdrive) transmission and 2.94 gears would often get 18 to 20 mpg on the highway. If this is correct, this set-up would be a bolt in deal and very easy to hook everything up. It would probably be rather affordable also. The newer 318 magnums with a 5 speed or 518 automatic would probably have similar fuel mileage, but would have more power. It is a bit more work to hook up the fuel injection though. One other point to consider is how long will the investment in the drive train conversion would take to break even. For example, I would guess a Cummins 4bt conversion could easily cost several thousand dollars. Such a swap would save fuel, but with the higher cost of diesel fuel and the high cost of the conversion, I suspect it would take MANY, MANY miles to before that owner is actually saving any money. I love my old truck and wanted to drive it everyday, but after calculating the costs, I decided to get a car for everyday use. Other people will be in different situations. For some, an economical truck is the best option. In my case, it was a want rather than a need, so I drive a car now.  It is not all bad though because I typically save about $200 per month in fuel!
Last edited by QuickDodge; 12/14/14 05:11 PM.
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: demon]
#1708923
12/15/14 06:35 AM
12/15/14 06:35 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,265
Pyeongtaek, South Korea
69HemiGTX
master
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master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,265
Pyeongtaek, South Korea
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That's easier said than done. The RC has a 106" wheelbase, whereas a regular cab shortbed truck is 115." Their frames are different. You'd be better off swapping the drivetrain.
OIF V and OEF X veteran and proud of it!
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: 69HemiGTX]
#1708924
12/15/14 05:44 PM
12/15/14 05:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Canada
demon
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Canada
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Quote:
That's easier said than done. The RC has a 106" wheelbase, whereas a regular cab shortbed truck is 115." Their frames are different. You'd be better off swapping the drivetrain.
My plan is to swap an older Ramcharger body onto a newer Ramcharger frame to gain fuel injection, part time, overdrive etc
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: RUNCHARGER]
#1708931
12/16/14 01:09 PM
12/16/14 01:09 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,087
Elk Grove, Calif.
bigblock340power
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,087
Elk Grove, Calif.
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I was kicking around the idea of snagging a rollover (some where in the 2000-2010 range for the Hemi/trans setup). Pulling the body off, and bolting mine on. I know, I put this way to simply, I'm sure theirs a bunch of things I'd need to do to get it to work. But wouldn't it be nice to have a newer Hemi setup under a '70s truck body?! Just what would be involved in this? Also, Calif. smog laws would be all over me. But my '76 has to be smogged anyway, and I'd have no problem smogging it to the newer truck specks. But would Calif. smog laws want it to pass smog for my '76 trucks year. I'd think the newer set up would do this no problem, except for the visual. I guess I'd have to talk it over with a ref. first. Just a thought. 
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: demon]
#1708933
12/16/14 10:48 PM
12/16/14 10:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Canada
demon
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Canada
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I just had an idea.
I got to checking wheelbases of Jeeps, thinking about frame swaps and such.
Turns out the the 93-2011 Grand Cherokee has the same wheelbase as a Ramcharger.
Hmmmm.
Track width is close too. The Jeep specs at 2" narrower track, but they also use positive offset rims. With some regular offset wheels the track should be just about right on.
So here's my new idea:
Buy a low mileage Grand Cherokee. Chop all the body off leaving only the floor and firewall on the underbody.
Chop all the floors out of the Ramcharger and lower the body onto the Jeep.
Fill in the gaps and voila! One fuel injected, overdrive, part time 4x4 with all the modern accesories and a 4.0 six, 5.2 V8 or 5.9 V8.
I have a friend who has built numerous body/Frame swapped vehicles in this manner.
I think I'll go looking for a mint Grand Cherokee to hack up.
Last edited by demon; 12/16/14 10:51 PM.
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: demon]
#1708935
12/17/14 03:23 PM
12/17/14 03:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
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The rear diffs are complete junk, most are full time 4x4 and most are 3.73 gears and are not know for there great MPG.
I think you would be better off making a dakota work under there with a V6 3.55s and 5 speed.
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
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Re: Engine swaps for 72-80 trucks- max mileage
[Re: demon]
#1708936
12/25/14 01:58 PM
12/25/14 01:58 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,722
Chicagoland
Cooter
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,722
Chicagoland
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Quote:
I just had an idea.
I got to checking wheelbases of Jeeps, thinking about frame swaps and such.
Turns out the the 93-2011 Grand Cherokee has the same wheelbase as a Ramcharger.
Hmmmm.
Track width is close too. The Jeep specs at 2" narrower track, but they also use positive offset rims. With some regular offset wheels the track should be just about right on.
So here's my new idea:
Buy a low mileage Grand Cherokee. Chop all the body off leaving only the floor and firewall on the underbody.
Chop all the floors out of the Ramcharger and lower the body onto the Jeep.
Fill in the gaps and voila! One fuel injected, overdrive, part time 4x4 with all the modern accesories and a 4.0 six, 5.2 V8 or 5.9 V8.
I have a friend who has built numerous body/Frame swapped vehicles in this manner.
I think I'll go looking for a mint Grand Cherokee to hack up.
I don't know where you got your numbers, but the axles under a ZJ are 9 inches narrower than a RC. 60 1/2", just a hair wider than an early B body. Plus they are unibody, just like the aformentioned B body.
You might a well just hack apart a Coronet, and try to weld the RC to that. 
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