Cummins 4bt swap into a 95 4.0 4x4?

medicbearusaf · Dec 18, 2007

How much more exp and diff. is it than a 302 swap....

wahlstrom1 · Dec 19, 2007

Different...well no one makes a bolt in kit, your gonna need a fullsize tranny to take the torque, and you have to do a completely custom install. Expensive depends on how complete of an engine you buy, or whole truck for that motor. The cummins will last a lot longer than the gasser, so most times you can just use the motor you find, and don't have to bother rebuilding it like you would with a gasser. My 347 was gonna cost me just shy of 5k in parts alone, and I bought a good running 4bta for $2500, and it came with a few extra's as well, like a full set of cummins service manuals ($$$) and an engine driven compressor, something you don't see too often.

-andrew

ToyTruck · Dec 27, 2007

If I was going to do a swap like that, I'd start by acquiring an old Frito-Lay delivery van. They originally came with GM 6.2's. When they didn't last, the manufacturer, Grumman Olson, undertook a repowering program and replaced them with Cummins 4BTs. This means that that bread van will have just about everything you need including the adapter ring to go from the Cummins SAE type bellhousing pattern to the GM style pattern. You'll even get a (usually pretty solid) GM TH400 auto out of the deal.

At a guess, I'd think you'd have to fabricate a new front crossmember and a new tranny crossmember, new transfer case to take all that torque, DEFINITELY a new front axle, lots of suspension work just to make it take the weight.

The upshot is that a lot of the aftermarket go-fast goodies for the 6BT in the Dodge Ram will work on the 4BT.

Strangely enough, there's another way to go about this. It isn't as sexy as a Cummins engine, but it should do the job. Matter of fact, a friend and I are looking at doing a diesel conversion on his 1966 Unimog. We originally thought about a 4BT, but it turns out to be a bit too tall to fit. We settled on a 2L turbo-diesel from a 2nd generation VW Jetta.

Good luck!

baddis · Dec 27, 2007

you might try to email mooktank www.mooktank.com he just parted his 4bt ranger out. also www.4btswaps.com is a good place to start

cbriz · Jun 24, 2009

I am looking into doing a cummins 4bt swap to my 1985 ford ranger 5spd 4x4 and I need some help with what all I am going to need to make this swap work so if any one could help me that would be sweet
thanks
Casey

jaymegriffiths · Jul 9, 2009

baddis said:
you might try to email mooktank www.mooktank.com he just parted his 4bt ranger out. also www.4btswaps.com is a good place to start

according to petersons 4wheel and offroad, http://fordcummins.com/ sells 4bt swap kits for fords and some chevy's. although i couldn't find anything on their site maybe someone could call them and ask. perhaps they could help you out!
1-406-755-8878

cbriz · Jul 10, 2009

thanks I will check it out

Frank The Tank · Jul 10, 2009

Looking 4ward to the build, pm me if you need sources for (hardcore) performance products....

I used to be kinda into that, if you can be "kinda" into bada$$ diesels.

Frank

jaymegriffiths · Jul 10, 2009

Frank The Tank said:
Looking 4ward to the build, pm me if you need sources for (hardcore) performance products....

I used to be kinda into that, if you can be "kinda" into bada$$ diesels.

Frank

lol im still waitin for someone to do a 6bt gen 1 ranger build. i noticed you have an 88 2.9 i bet its beggin for more power. maybe a 6bt would help that out... :icon_welder:

jaymegriffiths · Jul 10, 2009

wahlstrom1 said:
Different...well no one makes a bolt in kit, your gonna need a fullsize tranny to take the torque, and you have to do a completely custom install. Expensive depends on how complete of an engine you buy, or whole truck for that motor. The cummins will last a lot longer than the gasser, so most times you can just use the motor you find, and don't have to bother rebuilding it like you would with a gasser. My 347 was gonna cost me just shy of 5k in parts alone, and I bought a good running 4bta for $2500, and it came with a few extra's as well, like a full set of cummins service manuals ($$$) and an engine driven compressor, something you don't see too often.

-andrew

its defintely gonna be more expensive. a 4bt alone is like 2 grand plus tranny,tcase,extreme mod's. although it would probably be worth it if you were smart about your build

Will · Jul 10, 2009

302 would be funner and cheaper.

Thing is, as cool as something seems--what it boils down to is that YOU have to live with it everyday, not some vague people on a board or the people at work you show it to once in a parking lot.

Fact is, if you don't need it, it's a pain in the ass and not worth it. 302 or BT3.9.

Frank The Tank · Jul 10, 2009

Funner? no way.....

and what he "needs" is what he wants, not just to follow the suggestion of a vague person on a board.

as far as price..... you could get 500k miles out of that 4bt if you do it right "so which is really cheaper"?

Frank

jaymegriffiths · Jul 11, 2009

Frank The Tank said:
Funner? no way.....

and what he "needs" is what he wants, not just to follow the suggestion of a vague person on a board.

as far as price..... you could get 500k miles out of that 4bt if you do it right "so which is really cheaper"?

Frank

driving habits dude, driving habits. although the cummins would last longer. still, i think the real reason id do a 4bt is for originality. theres hundreds of 302 rangers, not that many 4bt ones. plus ya dude (OP) do what you want but it all boils down too the reason you asked about the ease and cost. unsurety. do your homework, do whatcha want and be happy. youll never please everyone.
haha i just noticed will used the term "it all boils down" in his post. great now its dumb if i do. lol stupid!

bobbywalter · Jul 11, 2009

12-19-2007 03:04 AM

12-27-2007, 05:26 PM

:icon_surprised:

jaymegriffiths · Jul 13, 2009

bobbywalter said:
12-19-2007 03:04 AM

12-27-2007, 05:26 PM

???

Cummins 4bt swap into a 95 4.0 4x4?

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