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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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