1947 Dodge WC swap to 4x4 and a cummins 5.9 from early 90's

Hi all. I am starting quite an ambitious project. I have a 47 Dodge PU, which is sock and does not run and want to change it completely. I have a whole lot a time. It now is in pieces and I plan on doing a frame up modified restore. The truck I think is a good candidate for the swaps I intend to do. What is good about using this truck is that the engine compartment and drive train area are plenty big enough to handle the size of the engine, trans, transfer case, etc. The bad is that all of the new work will require much fab including beefing up the frame, etc. What I want to end up with is a unique ride that has as much bite as bark. I will drive the truck daily on highway as well as fairly mellow off road. If I stick with mopar engine, trans, transfer case and rear ends I feel as though some of the challenges will be easier to start with. Am I crazy thinking this or what? One other question to start. Does the 12 valve 5.9 lend itself to performance mods? And which ones would you all suggest given the basic use of the truck as I described it? B.T.W. I have not yet acquired any of the drive train parts yet at all.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Paldusty  

Hey Pauldusty! Yes, a 12-valve Cummins is a great swap candidate for an older truck. Its mechanical injection system is very straightforward, and you can get incredible amounts of power out of it if you're so inclined (I've seen them in the neighborhood of 1,000 hp and 2,000 lb./ft. of torque, on the extreme side). The only think I'd keep an eye on is the weight, as the engine weighs around 1,000 lbs. You might want to do some chassis reinforcement around the front subframe or framerails to help support the weight. I'm sure you'll get some advice and tips on here. There are a lot of guys on this forum that have done Cummins swaps.  

I installed a p-pumped 12 valve in my F-350 a little while back.  If one can insall the right engine in the wrong pickup, make it fit, and it looks like it was meant to be there...... the swap you want to do should be pretty straight forward.  Make sure you find yourself a P-pumped 12 valve.  The rotary pumped engines can be built up, but not as far, and no where as easy IMAO.  It sounds like a lot of fab work will need to be done, but thats the best part Your unique touch will be all over that pickup!!  Good luck and keep us all posted!  
95' F-350 with a 98' Cummins 12V in it, Fuel Plate, Injectors, 3k Governer Kit, South Bend Clutch, Custom AFE intake, 4" custom exhaust and i really need to add more so I have more to list!!!!

Thanks you guys. I am looking forward to getting started. I have a neighbor who is pretty sharp with mods and design. He has looked at my plan and thinks it is very doable, however, he, like others is concerned about weight, so he suggests going with a 4BT to lower that problem. I tend to agree, but will have to rethink the power angle of it. We will see and here I go.

PS. I will post some pics soon so all can see what the project looks like.  

My son and I are going to put my 1941 WC41 body on my 1993 W250 frame. We are going to section the frame to shorten it, get rid of the carrier bearing, make the front tilt and the bed a dumper.
Good luk on your project, and keep us posted!
Mark  

Forgot to add, you will need to make a small doghouse in the cab (firewall) with the 6BT because of it's length.