Travco 270 RV Cummins Diesel Conversion + RIDE !!!

[@servicarrider]

That Cummins has a sweet note to it. Good job.

[@soapiefrog5997]

Sounds like around a $2500 savings in fuel on that 1st vacation. Nice work

[@MrJollygreenz]

it will pay for itself sooner than later even with the increased cost of oil changes. i feel it would fare even better if he had an overdrive trans to mate it to.

[@wildestcowboy2668]

@@MrJollygreenz he's a Joe Biden loving Yankee. They don't believe in over drive....

[@jamesmoore3346]

Great idea and work fitting the Cummins diresel. 5.9 liter turbo six. I had a 95 dodge pick up with the same engine. I sold my truck after 10+ yrs. Wish I had of thought of putting an all is on in my truck. I had the factory automatic rebuilt twice, the valve body replaced once and it was starting to act up again. I guess dodge can't build a decent auto to go behind the cummins. Great job man. You cannot wear down a cummins, there like the ever ready bunny, they just keep going and going, LOL........

[@lennyjonas5417]

I'm getting 8.5mpg with my 440 powered 270. I may have to check out that Caravan seat option myself. Looks good!

[@tnbmusic1]

Awesome machine and awesome job, great fuel mileage increase from 5 to 15 that's great. I have a 1991 Allegro with the 5.9 cummins that came with the RV I've not had it out on a trip yet so I don't know what kind of fuel mileage I get but if I can get close too 15 i would be real happy. thanks for sharing you video.again you have an awesome RV!

[@GTLees]

Right on, I am diggin' that! I realized how late I was after I watched the video, but hadta leave a comment in case ya do read it. You did a really nice resto and kept that Travco lookin' very stock original. That Cummins is the answer for power and economy...and it sounds really cool too. Really nice job and I hope that you're still enjoyin' it, happy trails!

[@mikecorleone6797]

God i miss the rain.. being here in California we don’t get much..

[@jacobtompke8677]

LONG LIVE THE CUMMINS!!!!

[@IcelanderUSer]

Wow. That thing is nice. Reminds me of the hundred thousand plus dollar chrome deco rv that was recently reintroduced from the 1930s.

[@Leafyfpv]

also from pa myself, awesome conversion on a wild looking ride

[@marcw6801]

Now somebody with a Travco 320 need to do this

[@NOMADNEWSTV]

I'm wanting to drop the Cummins 4bt into my 20ft B-Camper van built onto a 1982 Dodge Van Chassis....just not sure it will fit, as of yet. Awesome rig!

[@NomadXplorer]

are ya now lol sounds like a greeaat. idea. beat ya to it. 😛

[@oscarwalton1188]

Yes with some motor and tyranny mount mods it will fit

[@Georgiagreen317]

Must be a Dodge fan. Who else could put up with that NOISE!!!

[@murph55]

i love it you really did a nice job, i would like to offer a tip and that is to use rainx before any trip, the wiper on old motorhomes are not great.

[@RenoLaringo]

Magnificent rig ! That turbo so close to the floor would get me a little nervous though.

[@wildestcowboy2668]

Why would the turbo make you nervous ese?

[@MrJollygreenz]

A turbo blanket and a bit of heat shield on the doghouse not only would that fix the heat issue but it would also help help keep the heat in the turbo giving it slightly faster spooling.

[@RenoLaringo]

@@MrJollygreenz good to know! thank you brother Charles!

[@RenoLaringo]

@@wildestcowboy2668 where I live, cars go up in smoke each year just by beeing parked on dry grass, due to the exhaust heat.... And exhaust pipes are much cooler than a turbo, that is why.

[@wildestcowboy2668]

@@RenoLaringo I can respect that since you explained it that way. I think that he has a cover over the turbo tho. U be safe mi amigo!

[@drumzRfun1]

Dodge makes it, Cummins shakes it..

[@Mike-01234]

What would be easier is find a early 2000's class A with the allison transmission setup and 8.1 454 BBC replace the engine with a duramax diesel I think those will bolt right up to the transmission. The only issue would be smog controls lot of staters 2003 duramax wasn't any of the def fluid required.

[@teresanoel4035]

All I can say is wow!!!!!!!!

[@michigandon]

WHY didn't you go with the exhaust manifold that swings the turbo down closer to the block? It woulda saved you all the hassle of having to modify the passengers side floorboard as well as the engine cover! You can see that setup in our coach in my videos.

[@Limeylad73]

Great looking rig mate!

[@dge33333]

This is a very impressive 440 RB to Cummins 5.9 conversion. The fuel efficiency gain is significant. Any comments about the overall performance gain/loss? Specifically in start -stop driving and on hills? Really nice all around rig. .. Many thanks for posting this video!

[@jpnrobb]

As you might expect, better low end power. Takes off from a dead stop better than any motorhome I've been in. I get a little slip at the top end and am looking at a lower stall converter as a possible fix. Overall we are very pleased thanks for the comment.

[@lass-inangeles7564]

Fine job! This is the best mating idea, taking a beautiful vintage exterior and putting in a high mileage diesel engine. What is the approximate cost of getting this done - new engine like yours, and new transmission? Just to get an idea of total renovation costs. You did a marvelous job with cabinets and keeping it simple. Looks functional and has clean lines.

[@jpnrobb]

+Lass-in Angeles Not sure what you would have in "new" parts but I found good used units for around 1800.00 total.

[@lindapaul5821]

0 p

[@wildestcowboy2668]

Count on at least $10,000 unless u can do the work yourself. Also use a 12v Cummins 1989-1993

[@denzel387]

i love the sound of the Cummins Diesel engine that is a lot of power

[@MrHeadshot1982]

love the 5.9

[@DodgeChargerRT1971]

Wonder what my 318 LA motor will get for fuel economy in my 1970 Travco... Sadly, have no time to do a Cummins conversion plus it would still cost a lot just to get the transmission and Cummins to start with.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Sweet looking Travco motorhome. This is my idea of what a motorhome should be, not so big that you need a special bus driver's license, but not too small either. I would think that three adults could sleep comfortably in this rig. I've always liked the idea of a diesel engine in a motorhome like this. Awesome sounding Cummins Diesel. Thanks for the ride. If I had a rig like this, I would've gone either Cummins, Duramax, or even an earlier Detroit Diesel. This video is over a year old, does he still have it?

[@jpnrobb]

+Jason Carpp Still have it, about 7500 miles on the combo now. Running great!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

+jpnrobb Awesome! Does he have his own channel? It'd be cool to see more vids of this Cummins powered Travco.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Three of my favourite motorhomes of the 70s are the Travco, the GMC Motorhome, and the FMC 2900R. :)

[@601themississippigulfcoast7]

This looks like a fun project to tackle but where did you find the unit what was the cost and what year is she ?

[@captlarry-3525]

Sure liketo have a video done underneath ! That motor probably the best ever put in an auto or pickup. God Awful noisy..worth using some noise reduction panels from marine industry. very Long 6 in place of short v8..glad to see it can be done. !!

[@scottkeenan6339]

That's how the the pros do it 💥🤙

[@kayohm1553]

A different exhaust manifold and you wouldn't have needed to cut the floor.

[@mkyonepunch]

awesome job on a very cool project. can I ask about how long it took you to do it ? about how much did the diesel conversion cost ? what were the biggest issues ? Thanks very much. I have a donor lined up if the conversion isn't cost/time prohibitive .

[@wildestcowboy2668]

Did you get the project completed?

[@Illinoisinsulators1121]

The Cummins engine weighs over a thousand pounds what did you have to do to the suspension?

[@jpnrobb]

According to Cummins the 6BT weighs in at a 1000 lbs. give or take 50 depending on the accessories. I took the engine from a light duty pickup and installed it in a medium duty truck chassis so I did nothing to the suspension. The MH actually rides and handles better with the Cummins than it did with the big block in it. Thanks for the interest.

[@azimmey]

Wow that’s loud in there

[@quintonharvey1501]

Im doing the exact same thing do you have how you wired it with the factory wiring the engine came from i put a 5.9 with a Alison transmission already in mine with a wiring harness out of a 96

[@snapshot12002]

you probably posted the answers, but what is MPG? And how is cabin noise? Can you talk easily with passengers?

[@loganb7339]

I cant imagine its too quiet tbh. The first gen is pretty noisy.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Does that engine cover have insulation, to reduce the noise of the Cummins Diesel engine?

[@jamesmoore3346]

Jason Carpp I thought the same thing, I used to have that motor in my 95 dodge p-up, told everyone you can hear me coming before you see me, LOL.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Hearing it coming is one thing, the last thing anyone wants is for the sound to be obnoxious once you get to your destination. 🤣

[@iwens1966]

How did you get 3.07 gears into the D70HD? The tallest set of gears i could find are 3.54.

[@rustyshackleford2750]

Hey, I would like to do a similar conversion on my travco. How much did a conversion like this run?

[@1squiresm]

hi would you have address to get brake parts for my 71 travco

[@black93lx]

how loud is it inside? can you easily talk or does the diesel make alot of interior noise?

[@jpnrobb]

I'm not gonna mislead you, it is a little noisy but you can have a conversation albeit with elevated voices :)

[@black93lx]

jpnrobb Thanks, I'm thinking of doing a similar swap in my 74 superior motorhome.

[@1squiresm]

Hi i was trying to contact you a year ago could you please give me some sites to get parts I have model 270 Traci and some one put a professional done Detroit diesel in it am from Canada.would like to sell it or put it on the road.not sure what trans is in it it has over drive thank you

[@jpnrobb]

There is a Travco forum here online if you just search "travco forum" on Google it will pop up. Great source for info. and parts. There is also a for sale area on there.

[@1squiresm]

jpnrobb thks again

[@briansmith-wp5qn]

No overdrive? What gears are in the dif? I`m going to do the same, but i`m worried about the gear ratio.

[@jpnrobb]

brian smith I installed 3:07 Dana 70 gears in the 70 HD housing. People will tell you it can't be done but they are wrong. I had so many people tell me I couldn't do this whole project, I don't know why people have to be that way but it makes it that much better to prove them wrong :) I can explain more about the gearing if you want just send me your e-mail address.

[@jpnrobb]

brian smith I forgot to mention how I found out about the gear swap. Do a search on here for Dana 70 HD 3:07 gears Karl Jantz engineering will pop up. Great guy I talked to him on the phone.

[@denzel387]

jpnrobb look mate you can do it look pelopel can not juagr you

[@michigandon]

Or you can simply run an overdrive tranny like I did in mine and not go through all the trouble and expense of regearing the rear end. ;)

[@olikat8]

+michigandon I always thought about scavenging the powertrain out of a 1st gen Dodge Cummins with the 3-speed 727 (not the A-618) then putting in a Gear Vendors OD unit. Appears my Travco 320 has a Rockwell rear end, so re-gearing that would probably be ungodly expensive.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

How much power and torque does the Cummins Diesel deliver?

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

How was your acceleration with the 545 Allison transmission and what would you gear ratio again please

[@jpnrobb]

Acceleration is great the gear ratio is 3:07

[@oscarwalton1188]

So what's the mpg with the 6bt swap

[@jpnrobb]

it went from 5 mpg with the 440 to 15 mpg with the Cummins

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@jpnrobb That's quite a jump in mpg.

[@seansongmusic]

What chassie is that build on? Dodge RM400?

[@jpnrobb]

Yes Sean, that is exactly what it is. I no longer have the rig but it handled the extra weight of the Cummins with no problem. The Cummins is only about 300-350 pounds heavier than the 440 that was in there originally.

[@ryandoe11]

THAT THING IS WAY TOO LOUD! Doesnt make for a very enjoyable trip..

[@IcelanderUSer]

The only problem with it is that it provides zero protection in a crash.

[@earlwyattmccrory2820]

generator.

[@AmmoMaster]

I got a chubby watching this

[@maxwellwoodhouse2908]

Too loud lol the engine compartment needs to be insulated you can see the outside when you take the engine cover off like don’t you want more than a sheet of wood between a Cummins and you and your family’s ears lol

[@changeyourlifebt]

for sale?

[@jpnrobb]

Brad somehow I missed this message when it came through. Actually it is currently for sale, we are looking to go full time in a bigger more modern rig. Let me know if you are interested. Thanks

[@mkyonepunch]

@@jpnrobb for sale still? Where are you located? Thanks

[@jpnrobb]

Sorry Shawn it is sold