Hey, I have a 2001 Ram 4x4 Quad Cab and can cruise all day at 75 mph and get 20 mpg. Drop that in a 1968 Town and Country wagon and you have an easy gain of 3 or 4 mpg because weight and aerodynamics. You're riding in style and pulling your boat, camper, or trailer queen aand the T&C doesn't even know what's behind it.
Seems like a no brainer swap to me if everything is done right.
Nik <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Tue Jun 15 2010, 03:45PM ]</span>
LeftCoastErik wrote ... Front end is reinforced, crossmember all new, Firm Feel T-Bars, Disc brakes. Wheels are rated at 2200lbs each. Trans is an OD 47rh (fancy diesel truck 727) so 2k at 70mph with the current height tires in the rear. Not my first rodeo
Joined: Thu Oct 30 2008, 07:15PM
Location: minnesota
Posts: 124
There was a 68 b-body wagon at Mopars in the Park with a diesel in it. Ran super nice. I never had a peek under the hood but there was no doubt. I assumed it was one of those bread truck motors. There was also a late 40s power wagon with a 12 valve in it. It was very nicely put together.
I thought the whole point of having a C body was to have a smooth running big block V-8 that will go like hell when you want it too. I'd buy a 4x4 truck if I wanted to drive a noisy smelly diesel...but, to each his own!!
Very noisy, rough, and un-Chrysler like all around.
Sure, you have enough torque to pull a house but the rest of the car is not up to it anyway.
Very nose-heavy (will make for a poor handling car) and hard on brakes.
Slower than stock, too.
Race you for pinks any day. No offense, but do your homework before making that kind of statement. Diesels and diesel tuning has come a long way from the 160hp, non OD dodges and Ford 6.9s. My daily 2004 ram makes 676 at the wheels and runs 12.70's at 115mph. That's with no traction and a 2.1 60' time. 21MPG also. We regulary get 5-600 rear wheel horsepower out of a mildly tuned 12v with the same turbo I will be running. That's 1200 lb/ft of torque also. No I am not BSing..I own a Dynojet, we do this every day. That combo delivers 17-18mpg in an 8000lb truck with boxcar aerodynamics. Oh, and the engine will go 300k+ without problems.
For me, it was about building something nobody else had. I wanted to keep it in the Mopar family. I wanted good looks, great performance, excellent mileage and, maybe, a greener hotrod. I have respect for all sorts of car guys. Restorers, customizers, traditional hotrodders, etc. And I have tried several of the flavors myself. For me, different is better.
Very noisy, rough, and un-Chrysler like all around.
Sure, you have enough torque to pull a house but the rest of the car is not up to it anyway.
Very nose-heavy (will make for a poor handling car) and hard on brakes.
Slower than stock, too.
Race you for pinks any day. No offense, but do your homework before making that kind of statement. Diesels and diesel tuning has come a long way from the 160hp, non OD dodges and Ford 6.9s. My daily 2004 ram makes 676 at the wheels and runs 12.70's at 115mph. That's with no traction and a 2.1 60' time. 21MPG also. We regulary get 5-600 rear wheel horsepower out of a mildly tuned 12v with the same turbo I will be running. That's 1200 lb/ft of torque also. No I am not BSing..I own a Dynojet, we do this every day. That combo delivers 17-18mpg in an 8000lb truck with boxcar aerodynamics. Oh, and the engine will go 300k+ without problems.
For me, it was about building something nobody else had. I wanted to keep it in the Mopar family. I wanted good looks, great performance, excellent mileage and, maybe, a greener hotrod. I have respect for all sorts of car guys. Restorers, customizers, traditional hotrodders, etc. And I have tried several of the flavors myself. For me, different is better.
Again, I say good answer. Different IS better. !thumb
Joined: Sun Feb 26 2006, 08:46PM
Location: Kingston,Ontario
Posts: 5622
I have been following the build on the blog as well. The nay sayers should check into it. Lots of interesting engineering going on this build. Just remember a fully dressed 440 with air conditioning can weigh over 800 pounds,so it is no feather compared to the diesel. BTW,how much more does the Cummins weigh???