Went back to look at beginning posts....... 1/2 Dodge with 3/4 springs. I agree with roachie. Something as big as a 3208 is a bad idea, even assuming it's a good engine (it's not, from everything I've read). A 4bt would be a good swap. Maybe a smaller Cat/Perkins........ did Cat have any smaller engines before Perkins? Either that, or get a bigger truck.

 

I've decided to give up, let him do it and get a lot of good experience from a bad idea. Heck, maybe we are all wrong and he can pull a rabbit out of his hat! If he can, I want to see it.

 

It's doesn't matter guys, Leave him to it.

Like they always say, You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink it.

I really hope he manages to pull it off

 

If i bought the 3208 it wouldn't be put in my current truck. I would buy a 1 ton dodge. The 3208 is way too much for my 1/2 ton I agree there. If it was going in this truj I would try the 3114 which I realize is also alittle heavy for my truck. The build won't begin till the end of the summer at the earliest, I'm just trying to gather any info I can.

 

That guy in the video used a 545 Allison to mate to the 3208.. Does anyone know if that tranny will also mate to a 3114?

 

When dealing with industrial and medium duty or larger truck engines most all of them will come with or have the option for an SAE flywheel housing, usually SAE #2, sometimes #3, and on real big stuff SAE#1. Some engines will come with SAE#4 and that is a small enough housing it is difficult to get a clutch to fit that is strong enough to survive in a vehicle. From there and with the appropriate flywheel you can bolt on almost countless transmissions including Allison, Spicer, Roadranger, Eaton, Clark, and others.

 

The Allison 545 isn't the greatest transmission for a regular street vehicle. They come in MD trucks and school buses, but lack a lock up torque converter. You wind up giving away a lot of your power just to operate the transmission. You find a lot of those attached to Cummins. They sell you the used engine and give you the transmission because they are hard to get rid of.

 

Do you know of a trAnny that would e better to use?

 

There is only one auto tranny that I would consider! The Allison 1000 and its other iterations is bigger and stronger than any of the other "pick-up class" autos. It comes with the SAE bolt pattern or GM pattern comes with or without a park pawl, 5 or 6 speed, various low gear ratios and is stand alone electronic. I picked one up for $700 with the control modules.

 

Where did you get one for 700? Or was it from an owner

 

On Ebay, out of a burned 07 F-650 w 70k miles. Modules sit on top of trans and showed no heat damage. Owner was a little pissed, but no one bid against me, so I got it for the minimum bid. I had to drive 700 miles to get it, but I smiled all the way!

 

automatic tranny would be nice, other any good manual options that would fit an sae bolt pattern and could sit behind a cat?

 

we have the Allison 1000 in garbage trucks at work, it is the only part of the truck that in 11 years has not had any type of failure. we have two of them and I have to say they are tough tough tough.

 

Ok good that would be an option.. That tranny would be too big for the 3114 tho correct? And does it have overdrive?

 

It is a 5 or6 spd single or double overdrive. here is a link that is very informative about swapping it.
http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showt...thread.php?15428-The-complete-Allison-1000-2000-2400-info-and-swap-guide-thread

 

Very good info on the link

 

behjind the 3114 it should be just fine, witht he close gear ratios it shold help with milage

 

Ok cool