Replacing a gas engine with a diesel
I have been looking at full-timing in an RV for a while and have finally found an affordable one that is in surprisingly good shape. The only problem is, I know I really want a Diesel engine and this ...
Forum Discussion
If you're not willing to ask your mechanic family members for advice, that tells me you're not likely to have them do the conversion for you cheap/free. You will pay in the neighborhood of $5,000 to get a gas mh converted to diesel.
I just sold my diesel mh conversion truck and it was worth it for the 2,600 mile round-trip journeys I used to take, hauling 1-2 4x4 trucks from MT to CA. Stopped making that trip and the big diesel was no longer worth it.
For 150 mile trips, especially, it's not worth it. You will NEVER pencil out the cost of a diesel conversion.
For 150 mile trips not towing anything, gas is awesome!!
This is one of the better ideas to get a diesel motorhome on a lower budget. You could get a running 1996-2000 7.3L Powerstroke diesel for the same cost as the conversion on an antique mh.
Warning: These are typically MDT (Medium Duty Truck) chassis. They are heavier duty than the typical 1-Ton van chassis. They have bigger axles, bigger brakes, heavier frames, and generally larger oil capacities. They also cost more mechanically to fix, and you won't get a simple brake job by a shadetree/mom&pop mechanic like you would the old gasser.
TauneZ wrote:
Does anyone know of an older Class C that runs on diesel?
It doesn't have to be great. I don't plan in driving it often, but when I do, I would drive it about 150 miles. For the most part, it will just be in an RV park. I am mostly looking at interior, plumbing, wiring, etc, but for the times I do drive it, I would prefer a diesel.
I just sold my diesel mh conversion truck and it was worth it for the 2,600 mile round-trip journeys I used to take, hauling 1-2 4x4 trucks from MT to CA. Stopped making that trip and the big diesel was no longer worth it.
the bear II wrote:
Unless you are an expert mechanic and can do the work yourself the conversion is expensive to the point you would never get your money back out of it.
For 150 mile trips, especially, it's not worth it. You will NEVER pencil out the cost of a diesel conversion.
For 150 mile trips not towing anything, gas is awesome!!
carringb wrote:
How about a used shuttle bus and converting it to a camper? Used 7.3L E450 shuttle buses go for ~$3-6k for Transit versions, and you can probably find a junked a camper for cheap to pull the interior out of.
The Transit buses tend to be high miles, but are also very well maintained. Just be sure to shop in no-salt states and you'll probably be able to find one in good condition. I even saw a front-wheel drive E450 bus for sale last week, which would be nice for a camper conversion because the floor is less than a foot off the ground.
This is one of the better ideas to get a diesel motorhome on a lower budget. You could get a running 1996-2000 7.3L Powerstroke diesel for the same cost as the conversion on an antique mh.
Warning: These are typically MDT (Medium Duty Truck) chassis. They are heavier duty than the typical 1-Ton van chassis. They have bigger axles, bigger brakes, heavier frames, and generally larger oil capacities. They also cost more mechanically to fix, and you won't get a simple brake job by a shadetree/mom&pop mechanic like you would the old gasser.
