Dakota / Cummins ISB170
2008 Dakota / ISB170 Cummins conversion:
This 08 Dakota conversion was a challenge. The Cummins is just so much larger than the 4.7 and getting the ECM of both engine and chassis to function properly took a lot of work.
Old gas motor sitting beside the Cummins ISB170. The Cummins is a lot taller than the 4.7 V8.
We replaced the automatic transmission with a brand new NV4500 and with a little machining made an Isuzu bell-housing couple it to the Cummins.
The Cummins was a tight fit and the front diff had to be lowered by about 2". Had to do a 3" body lift and 1 1/2" leveling kit in order to fit it all underneath.
MODIFICATIONS
This Dakota conversion required the following modifications:
- Add a 1" front drive shaft spacer
- Custom rear drive shaft
- Adapted an NV4500 five speed standard transmission to a vehicle that was originally an automatic
- Fabricated new engine mounts
- New radiator mounts
- Modified the oil pan
- Added sound shield to the firewall
- New air conditioning hoses
- New power steering hose made
- New exhaust
- New throttle pedal
- 2" suspension lift
- 3" body lift
- Custom front and rear bumper
- Rear airbags with on-board air with in-cab and rear bumper controls for ride height
- Turbo upgrade
- Large intercooler
- Boost fooler
- Larger injectors
- 3" stainless exhaust
The body lift allowed a storage box to be built under the rear seat as well as a place to put the 12 volt battery since the engine compartment is full. The Dakota has very limited storage so its a very handy box.
