Possibility of swapping out Engine Trans from Dodge Ram Promaster Diesel

johnny

New member
May 10, 2011
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I believe that drive line maxes out in a Dodge at 10000 pounds, which might well be within your coach weight. The concerns are twofold - first, given
the width of the transverse Ram drivetrain, is there enough room to put it. Second is the transmission - I don't know what the ProMaster uses, but if
it's the Mopar 62TE I'd be kind of wary... it's maxxed out in the minivans, and it ain't the hoss that the THM-425 is.
I'd be very interested in your research though, please share it.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
 
I hope you have the know how with wiring and computers to get past that hurdle. Since all the associated body stuff won’t come with the swap, it
may throw codes or even go into limo home mode without extensive code rewriting fixes.
Thinking through to the fuel system, what will you do with the Onan? Try to find a Diesel APU that fits in that drawer location? Not sure that
exists.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Help me understand- the 84 Revcon is NOTHING LIKE the GMC.

The last year of the Revcon with a 455/TH425 was like 1978 (engine would have been a 403)

With GM no longer making a big engine for the Toro/Eldorado line, Revcon went to a transfer case running to a Dana 60 or something like that.

The good news is that you can put any number of big GM engines behind it and maybe a 4l80E transmission

That being the case, there are probably easier repower options than stuffing a Fiat powered minivan in front.

If you think i'm wrong look at the wheels- Toro powered Revcon all have five lug Budd Truck rims. If it has 8 lugs then it's definitely a 454 with a
transfer case.

--
Dave & Ellen Silva
Hertford, NC

76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff

Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021

It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
 
I think Hal StClair is running the later Revcon driveline in one of his GMCs... I believe he is running it with a 4L80 to a 4x4 transfer case (NP243
maybe?) converted to FWD, and from there to a Dana 60...

Those are all very proven components for dealing with the weights and drag encountered with a motorhome. And they are easily repaired while out on
the road as parts are plentiful and easy to find, and techs who have the know-how and tools to repair them.

It looks like the promaster diesel runs an "Automated Manual" 6 speed... The M40. From a quick look on the internet, it appears a 4.56 final drive
(in the 3500) and ~4.1 first gear would be a deep enough reduction for the load, but I have not seen very much about the reliability of the M40...
Especially in a heavily loaded configuration. So it may be just fine, or it may not... It seems there is just not enough of them out there to get a
consensus.

Because of this I'd be very concerned the Promaster driveline is up to what you are describing... And being stranded or stuck with a large towing
bill will destroy any money you save on fuel.

But I agree... It's a very interesting and modern take on running a loaded vehicle. I too would be interested to see how you progress. I would
suggest making sure your cooling systems for the engine and driveline fluids are overbuilt, and monitoring of fluid temps would go a long way in
ensuring you have the best reliability possible.
--
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
 
I just read someplace that the Diesel ProMaster has been discontinued. Which may well color your decision.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell