1989 Dodge pickup

[hoosier.hz]

Hoosier, tell us where you thought this post should take you? Surely you knew utilizing this engine and front axle from a pickup you claim is otherwise junk would require a fair amount of wrench turning. Only looking from the outside in, quickly running through your previous posts it doesn’t seem to me like your really into much wrenching. I would suggest you let this “good deal” pass you by. A good deal like this is much more solid and plays out best when you have the means to complete the circle. For example, having the means to acquire a Dodge truck that someone mistreated and ruined the engine. By looking at your previous post I also determined you are a young man in college, so there is another piece of the pie.

Just getting opinions from others I suppose. I am young yes, but capable and willing to learn however it might be possible. I am sure I could do it given enough time. My dad is very good with this kind of thing and being an engineer helps certainly. I have very good resources for finding parts and opinions and such and I love working on and fixing stuff. Granted things can be very different from one another, I have rebuilt small engines and have done a bunch of in depth work on my car. I have been blessed to have some really great teachers and I think I have a pretty good understanding compared to others my age. Of course I’m young, and to you fellas I don’t know much and I have a lot to learn.

 

[hoosier.hz]

If you are a young man, concentrate on your education and career until you can get firmly established, then you will be able to afford all the hobbies and toys you want whether new, used, or custom made

If you are a young man, concentrate on your education and career until you can get firmly established, then you will be able to afford all the hobbies and toys you want whether new, used, or custom made.

yeah I’m pretty frugal as is and generally don’t spend money on much, but this is tempting opportunity

 

[timcasbolt]

I knew a guy that swapped over the running gear from a w250 to a w150. He was towing with it, but I don't think he was planning to keep it long term. My 91 had "5.9" on the frame up near the right front wheel. There were several cross braces to stiffen the chassis.

 

[used red MN]

Just getting opinions from others I suppose. I am young yes, but capable and willing to learn however it might be possible. I am sure I could do it given enough time. My dad is very good with this kind of thing and being an engineer helps certainly. I have very good resources for finding parts and opinions and such and I love working on stuff fixing stuff. Granted things can be very different from one another, I have rebuilt small engines and have done a bunch on my car. I have been blessed to have some really great teachers and I think I have pretty good understanding compared to other my age. Of course I’m young and to you fellas I don’t know much.

Sorry, that was sort of a “downer” reply, but as you said just an opinion. Arm chair repair work is quite a ways from actually. That engine swap that Destroked did is far from a simple task, I think there there is a lot of “let me prove it can be done” in such a project. He may have not used one of these but a kit for that is 6k. Cummins into Ford kit

 

[hoosier.hz]

Sorry, that was sort of a “downer” reply, but as you said just an opinion. Arm chair repair work is quite a ways from actually. That engine swap that Destroked did is far from a simple task, I think there there is a lot of “let me prove it can be done” in such a project. He may have not used one of these but a kit for that is 6k. Cummins into Ford kit

I appreciate the input greatly, and will definitely look more closely into it before I make a real decision, thank you!

 

[Mcrafty1]

Just getting opinions from others I suppose. I am young yes, but capable and willing to learn however it might be possible. I am sure I could do it given enough time. My dad is very good with this kind of thing and being an engineer helps certainly. I have very good resources for finding parts and opinions and such and I love working on and fixing stuff. Granted things can be very different from one another, I have rebuilt small engines and have done a bunch of in depth work on my car. I have been blessed to have some really great teachers and I think I have a pretty good understanding compared to others my age. Of course I’m young, and to you fellas I don’t know much and I have a lot to learn.

What advice did your dad give concerning this endeavor? Whatever it was should be all you need to move on it....Up or down, since it sounds like he will be more than a little involved.

 

[Steve in VA]

I have the chance to buy a 1989, 3/4 ton dodge pickup for what I think to be a good price. It is a 5.9 Cummins with a good trans and the heaviest front axle you could get at the time, which I am told is a 4000lb axle. It has 4WD is a regular cab and a long bed. Lastly, if memory serves me it is not geared too awfully low as they go. But anyway, the price is right. The catch is that the parts afore mentioned are the only good parts on it... Desperately needs a new body and frame.

Opinions?

Trying is how we've all learned. If you succeed you will have experienced a lot [good and bad] but will have learned. If this project ultimately fails, then OK, better next time.
Best of luck wherever you land.

 

[Ole blue]

Hoosier, tell us where you thought this post should take you? Surely you knew utilizing this engine and front axle from a pickup you claim is otherwise junk would require a fair amount of wrench turning. Only looking from the outside in, quickly running through your previous posts it doesn’t seem to me like your really into much wrenching. I would suggest you let this “good deal” pass you by. A good deal like this is much more solid and plays out best when you have the means to complete the circle. For example, having the means to acquire a Dodge truck that someone mistreated and ruined the engine. By looking at your previous post I also determined you are a young man in college, so there is another piece of the pie.

Maybe just maybe used red your right he’s a young guy. And maybe he’s like every other young guy and wants a diesel to blow smoke. And could it be possible that this young man is trying to take the cheaper route? And maybe he’s got the funds to pay someone to complete your so called circle? Maybe he was hopeful that some nice guy on here would have a parts truck he could purchase? (Getting hard to find a nice guy on this site anymore….)
I’ve look at this site about every night for the last 10-12 years. I’ve found a lot of helpful info along the way. But I’m telling u there is just a few guys on here that think they know every dam thing. I don’t claim to know much at all but I do if all I had to do was rain on everyone’s parade I just wouldn’t post. Happy holidays!

 

[hoosier.hz]

Maybe just maybe used red your right he’s a young guy. And maybe he’s like every other young guy and wants a diesel to blow smoke. And could it be possible that this young man is trying to take the cheaper route? And maybe he’s got the funds to pay someone to complete your so called circle? Maybe he was hopeful that some nice guy on here would have a parts truck he could purchase? (Getting hard to find a nice guy on this site anymore….)
I’ve look at this site about every night for the last 10-12 years. I’ve found a lot of helpful info along the way. But I’m telling u there is just a few guys on here that think they know every dam thing. I don’t claim to know much at all but I do if all I had to do was rain on everyone’s parade I just wouldn’t post. Happy holidays!

I can in fact confirm that I do not want to smoke haha, those folks frost me. I just believe in saving something classic, instead of partaking in the throw-away mindset that most people do these days. Thank you!

 

[jm.]

I have the chance to buy a 1989, 3/4 ton dodge pickup for what I think to be a good price. It is a 5.9 Cummins with a good trans and the heaviest front axle you could get at the time, which I am told is a 4000lb axle. It has 4WD is a regular cab and a long bed. Lastly, if memory serves me it is not geared too awfully low as they go. But anyway, the price is right. The catch is that the parts afore mentioned are the only good parts on it... Desperately needs a new body and frame.

Opinions?

Do you really want to mess with a 35 year old truck and try to make anything decent. You keep talking about the price , to me man could not buy something that old to be a bargain, more like a money pit if they gave it to you.

 

[used red MN]

Maybe just maybe used red your right he’s a young guy. And maybe he’s like every other young guy and wants a diesel to blow smoke. And could it be possible that this young man is trying to take the cheaper route? And maybe he’s got the funds to pay someone to complete your so called circle? Maybe he was hopeful that some nice guy on here would have a parts truck he could purchase? (Getting hard to find a nice guy on this site anymore….)
I’ve look at this site about every night for the last 10-12 years. I’ve found a lot of helpful info along the way. But I’m telling u there is just a few guys on here that think they know every dam thing. I don’t claim to know much at all but I do if all I had to do was rain on everyone’s parade I just wouldn’t post. Happy holidays!

I gave him my opinion, doesn’t stop him from doing anything. I am happy he wants to learn mechanical repair processes. I’ve got a buddy I’ve known since high school, always sunk his money in to “good deals” that can’t be passed up. Some of them come together and he made a few bucks off them. Many of them sat around wasting away, his money going poof. Probably tainted my way of thinking.
My opinion is just one drop in his bucket, forge ahead and approach the purchase as you wish.

 

[SkipperII]

I have the chance to buy a 1989, 3/4 ton dodge pickup for what I think to be a good price. It is a 5.9 Cummins with a good trans and the heaviest front axle you could get at the time, which I am told is a 4000lb axle. It has 4WD is a regular cab and a long bed. Lastly, if memory serves me it is not geared too awfully low as they go. But anyway, the price is right. The catch is that the parts afore mentioned are the only good parts on it... Desperately needs a new body and frame.

Opinions?

The fact that you will have an engine and drive train, but need to find the rest of the truck, might indicate that FREE!!, might be way too expensive. If you had the cab and chassis, that would be a different story.

 

[Brown David]

@hoosier.hz

If you want it, buy it. Simple as that.

Time will tell if it was a good idea or not and hopefully you will learn something one way or another.

Personally, if it was a good deal I'd have it home by now. Where it went from that point would depend on many things, possibly just part it out.

It would be nice to know the price on it.

 

[hoosier.hz]

@hoosier.hz

If you want it, buy it. Simple as that.

Time will tell if it was a good idea or not and hopefully you will learn something one way or another.

Personally, if it was a good deal I'd have it home by now. Where it went from that point would depend on many things, possibly just part it out.

It would be nice to know the price on it.

1500

 

[DRussell]

I have the chance to buy a 1989, 3/4 ton dodge pickup for what I think to be a good price. It is a 5.9 Cummins with a good trans and the heaviest front axle you could get at the time, which I am told is a 4000lb axle. It has 4WD is a regular cab and a long bed. Lastly, if memory serves me it is not geared too awfully low as they go. But anyway, the price is right. The catch is that the parts afore mentioned are the only good parts on it... Desperately needs a new body and frame.

Opinions?

Buy it, then buy a 1999-2016 Ford with a dead motor then swap the motor.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

I have the chance to buy a 1989, 3/4 ton dodge pickup for what I think to be a good price. It is a 5.9 Cummins with a good trans and the heaviest front axle you could get at the time, which I am told is a 4000lb axle. It has 4WD is a regular cab and a long bed. Lastly, if memory serves me it is not geared too awfully low as they go. But anyway, the price is right. The catch is that the parts afore mentioned are the only good parts on it... Desperately needs a new body and frame.

Opinions?

Well, if you want to learn a vehicle inside & out, that would be a way to go. Those trucks were popular around here for snowplowing. They did an awesome job & were tank tough..... but were rotted away in a decade. Seen a lot of hunch backs from ramming snowdrifts too, so be particular with the pieces/parts you buy.

Otherwise, learning is going to be more fun than driving it.... if you are the builder/fixit type.

Mike

 

[timcasbolt]

Buy it, then buy a 1999-2016 Ford with a dead motor then swap the motor.

A person would want to research their state's inspection and emission laws before making that jump.

 

[Destroked 450]

$1500 is a good price just for the engine itself, BUT in reality that’s about all you’ll have if you plan to swap the engine into another chassis
89 5.9’s were non intercooled and only about 160 hp, however with a governor spring, fuel pin and a set of larger injectors will bring hp numbers up a good bit
If automatic it will have the Chrysler 518 over drive transmission with no lockup converter, not a good choice and won’t handle much increased hp from a Cummins
If manual it will have the Getrag 360 5 spd with a 12” clutch, any hp increase and the clutch will fail, larger aftermarket clutches are available at a price, personally I’d skip over any of the Dodge 5 spds for the much better 6spd transmissions, but again that adds cost

I did my Cummins swap 11 years ago out of desperation to get away from electrical gremlins
The 6.5 GM would just shutdown for no reason, the 95 Ford power stroke broke 4 E4OD transmissions in 40,000 miles, I sold it setting on the side of the road with a broken trans
The 5.9 12v Cummins is the simplest and most reliable pickup truck engine ever built, I purchased a very cheap low mile F-450 6 spd manual with a blown 6.0. Then spend 2 months of weekends and around $3000 plus the engine to do the swap, no one offered ready made swap kits at that time
I love Cummins swaps but it’s not a simple task and the cost isn’t cheap, but it was worth it to me and doing most the the work myself kept the cost down
There’s swap sections on the Cummins Forum and a few groups on FB, read up on it to see if it something you would want to do, if nothing else buy the truck and sell what components you can then scrape the rest, you can make a little money and learn a little

 

[hoosier.hz]

Buy it, then buy a 1999-2016 Ford with a dead motor then swap the motor.

Fords are yucky haha

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Shipping crate. Unless you've got something in mid to swap the engine into, pass.