Body by Dodge. Power by Jag?

[OregonDodgeboy]

So this is a crewcab? Hard to believe it can run so poorly. I think I should just come by and relieve you of your troubles.

Seriously though, I don't even know where to begin to advise you. I think the Jag motor may not have the kind of torque you need for a full sized pick-up. Even if you never haul anything but the groceries around, those small v12's (AFAIK) are built for higher rpm's and for moderate horsepower. I wouldn't expect it to perform well in your truck. But to each his own I guess.

If you want to swap out for something, a 4 cyl diesel might be a better choice. The Isuzu 4BD1T from the early NPR's is my first choice. About 125 bhp, smooth and quiet. Can rev to 3200 with a lighter spring in the injection pump with minimal reliability concern. Mate it to a 700R4 or 4L60 and away ya go. Another option is the 4BT Cummins. The 6BT is it's big brother, and is what Dodge runs in their pick-ups. Easier to swap since they are virtually the same motor.

Just my , FWIW. Shoot me a PM or find me on Facebook, we need to get together. Maybe I can change your mind about how V8's run.

[Russ]

I drive a 2000 Isuzu NPR with a 4 cyl diesel and I've often thought about how it would do in a Sweptline. Buy why mate it to a GM transmission when it already has an automatic OD tranny available. I know it's a good engine and tranny because the one I drive has not been taken care of and never had any problem with over 150K now. If I did it I'd want to use the highest rear gear I could get as the engine would have plenty of torque to pull it, and the mileage should be excellent.

[OregonDodgeboy]

Those transmissions are not typically known for their reliability, from what I read about them. Lots of good info about the ins and outs of swapping them over at http://www.4btswaps.com. The downside to them is the cost for most people. They go for 2-3k and often need rebuilt,.. when you can find them. But they do just fine from the reports I have read. If I ever stumble across one for a good price, I will swap it in. I'd even consider the 6BD1T, which is obviously the 6 cylinder version. Find them in the bigger trucks (25-50k GVW).

[reavilh]

Many years ago, I helped my Dad stuff (literally) a 4-53 Detroit diesel along with an Allison 5 speed tranny in a 65 Dodge 3/4 ton 2WD.


His last diesel project was putting a 3-53 Detroit in a 73 Chevy 4WD PU, and hooking it to the 400 auto tranny. He drove this truck from here to CA a couple of times.

And you can still hear???

Say what? I can't hear you? Yes it was loud. That old dodge was run with a big truck muffler, but the stack (taken off an old semi) came up right behind the driver's door. A friend told us he could hear us turn on his road from the blacktop six miles away.

I've been around diesels most of my life. I worked on the Fire Dept trucks for 15 years until my health went south.