A 4x4 E30... Done right!

[downforce22]

you roll the dakota? its looking pretty sad

[spyde25]

:roll:

[mr.mindless]

"done right".....

That's a funny phrase. I expect I'll shortly be joining the band for coming in here and poo pooing this "legendary" build but what exactly are you thinking here? What is it that makes this "done right"?

You started out with Just Another Trar (common slang for a car body on a truck chassis). Shortened Scout, not bad. Frame sitting a foot below the floor pans like every other hack job out there? Hardly qualifies as Done Right.

You initially were going to run the heaviest smallblock in existence, with some of the most limited aftermarket support. Good call on ditching that.

But a Cummins? 4BT would be a solid choice. Plenty of power, weighs about the same as the Binder block. But you're seriously looking at putting a 1500# engine is a half ton frame that you didn't box. With no cage to stiffen it, either. And what will have to be huge tall body mounts as well, so the unibody car on top wont help out either. With half ton axles.

A computer controlled diesel swap is pretty complicated too but the ISB (24v) can pretty well run itself. If you're planning on a dashboard, and knowing what's going on - much less running a tuner intended for a Dodge application, that'll get interesting though. At least go for a 12v 6BT setup. Nearly as much power and it takes 3 wires to run it. Okay, 5 if you wan to start and charge too.

Think this pup through a bit first. You clearly have some talent but you're missing rather a lot of experience. Don't build a pile that if you can make it run, will flatten your springs, break your axles an pretzel your frame the second time you put your right foot into it.

Credentials attached. (571, an Ultra4 car I codrive - 350/th350/np205 tube chassis with d60/14 bolt; the dumpbus, my '97 Ram 3500 tow rig with '01 24v swap, mechanical pump conversion, 13sp Eaton trans; and Roadblock, my '98 Dakota crawler - 318/46re/203-205 doubler and d60/10.25 axles)

[e30lov]

dude. epic. How are you getting connected with these cummins engines? I would love one for my cherokee...

[LJ851]

Itll sound like a e30 big rig coming down the road

Can you put a jake brake on that ?! I would pay money to see an E30 with an exhaust brake.

[Oz10]

So awesome!! Keep the updates coming!!

[Zacm829]

The project just took a turn from epic to Legendary!

[Holland]

Straight six for the win, keeping it the way BMW intended to.

[mattdk318i]

Itll sound like a e30 big rig coming down the road

[MR 325]

Definitely the 24v dude. Run it with the NV4500. Win!!

[mattdk318i]

Besides mechanical injection what are you reasons? I have access to plenty 12 valves. 24 valves are less common and offer tuning.

im all up for suggestions, Ive driven both dodges 24 and 12. The 24 pulled like an ox.....

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'd go 12v.

[mattdk318i]

the 5.9 is fucking legendary. thats going to pull so hard. the awesome thing is how easily hp gains come. but you already knew that. i cant wait to see a video.

Thats the plan. Theres about a million ways to get 100HP in 5 minutes. Tuners,Propane,etc......

[mattdk318i]

Found the Dodge adapter local. Going to pick it up today It will work with the 47rh, 47re, and nv4500.

AKA dodge transmissions

[IxTech]

the 5.9 is fucking legendary. thats going to pull so hard. the awesome thing is how easily hp gains come. but you already knew that. i cant wait to see a video.