If you are weighing a Ford Cummins swap, the first question is always the same: what is this actually going to cost? Here is the honest, no-fluff breakdown based on real builds we have shipped parts for since 2014.

Quick Answer: $8,000 to $22,000 Total

A full Ford Cummins conversion typically lands between $8,000 on the low end (DIY build, used 12-valve engine) and $22,000+ on the high end (pro-installed Common Rail with a new transmission). Most builds settle around $12,000-$16,000.

That total breaks down into five buckets. Let us walk through each.

1. The Cummins Engine ($2,500 - $9,000)

The biggest variable. What you pay depends on which Cummins family you choose:

  • 12-valve Cummins (1989-1998) — $2,500-$4,500 for a running takeout. The most affordable and most popular for OBS swaps. No ECM means no wiring headaches. More on OBS 12V swaps →
  • 24-valve Cummins (1998.5-2002) — $3,500-$5,500. Electronic VP44 pump, more aftermarket support than 12V.
  • 5.9L Common Rail (2003-2007) — $5,000-$8,000. The sweet spot for modern swaps. Quiet, powerful, well-supported.
  • 6.7L Cummins (2007.5+) — $6,000-$9,000+. Most modern, most complex, most expensive.

Tip: buy from a Dodge truck that was rolled or had non-engine damage. You want a low-mile engine with proven compression, not a high-mile pull from a worn-out work truck.

2. The Conversion Kit ($1,500 - $2,200)

This is what we make. Our conversion kits include the adapter plate, billet steel flywheel or flexplate, motor mounts, AC/alternator bracket, and all hardware. Pricing varies by truck era and transmission:

See all conversion kits →

Why buy a kit instead of one-off adapters? Two reasons: everything is engineered to work together as a system, and you only place one order. Trying to source piecemeal adapters and brackets from multiple vendors usually costs 20-30% more once you account for the inevitable fitment problems.

3. Transmission ($0 - $3,500)

Depends on whether you reuse your factory Ford trans or swap in a different one:

  • Keeping the factory 5R110 or ZF6 — $0 in parts (you already own it). Our kits adapt to the factory trans.
  • Swapping in a built 5R110 — $2,500-$3,500 for a built unit that handles 600+ hp.
  • NV5600 or ZF6 swap — $1,500-$2,500 for a used unit, plus install labor.
  • Adapter for unusual transmission (Allison, Th400) — $500-$700 for our adapter plus $1,500-$3,000 for the trans itself.

4. Supporting Parts ($800 - $2,500)

The little stuff adds up. Plan for:

  • Radiator + cooling — $300-$600 (some Cummins setups reuse the factory radiator, some don't)
  • Exhaust — $200-$800 (DIY weld up vs custom-bent)
  • Fuel system — $150-$500 (lift pump, lines, fittings)
  • Wiring — $0-$1,500 (12V is free, CR can need a standalone harness on older Ford bodies)
  • Throttle pedal adapter — $179 for the bracket if your truck has an electronic pedal (see ours)
  • Gauges, intercooler piping, misc. — $200-$500

5. Labor ($0 - $10,000+)

This is where the biggest swing happens.

  • DIY in your garage — $0 labor cost. Time investment: typically 80-150 hours for a first build. Most of our customers go this route.
  • Friend with a shop helping you — $1,000-$3,000 cash + beer + favors.
  • Professional install — $6,000-$10,000 for a Cummins swap shop to do it start to finish. CR Cummins swaps run higher than 12V because of the wiring complexity. Find an installer →

Total Cost by Build Scenario

Build Engine Trans Kit Supporting Labor Total
Budget OBS 12V DIY $2,500 Keep stock $1,500 $1,000 $0 $5,000
6.0 to CR Cummins DIY $6,000 Keep 5R110 $2,100 $1,500 $0 $9,600
6.0 to CR Cummins, pro install $6,000 Keep 5R110 $2,100 $1,500 $8,000 $17,600
6.4 to 6.7 CR, pro build, built trans $8,000 $3,000 $1,925 $2,000 $9,000 $23,925

Is It Cheaper Than Fixing a 6.0 or 6.4?

This is the question that drives most of our 03-10 customers. A few real comparisons:

  • 6.0 Power Stroke head gasket job (done right): $4,000-$7,000. And you still have a 6.0.
  • 6.4 Power Stroke aftertreatment + turbo replacement: $6,000-$10,000. And you still have a 6.4.
  • Cummins swap with the same money: a 200,000-mile-rated engine that doesn't have those failure modes to begin with.

For trucks that are otherwise solid (clean body, good frame, working transmission), the math usually favors the swap if you keep the truck more than 2-3 years.

Hidden Costs to Plan For

  • Tuning + EFI Live — $400-$700 if you go CR Cummins and want stock-like driveability
  • Emissions paperwork in CA / CO / NY — varies wildly. Some states are friendly, some are not.
  • Title-related fees — varies by state, sometimes the engine swap needs to be documented
  • Reselling your old engine — you can usually get $500-$2,500 back from selling the 6.0 / 6.4 / 7.3 you pulled

How to Save Money on Your Swap

  1. Buy the right engine the first time. A $4,000 engine with documented compression is cheaper than a $2,500 engine that needs a top-end rebuild.
  2. Buy the kit, not piecemeal adapters. Saves 20-30% on materials and weeks of fitment trial-and-error.
  3. Reuse the factory Ford transmission if it is in good shape. Adapter kit is cheaper than a transmission swap.
  4. Order parts before pulling the old engine. Downtime costs money if the truck is your daily.
  5. Talk to us first. Five minutes on the phone saves five hours of forum-searching. (763) 754-1511.

Ready to Spec Your Build?

Use our Parts Finder on the homepage to see which kit fits your truck. Or compare conversion kits side-by-side. If you want a custom quote for your specific build, call us at (763) 754-1511 or email famm.llc@hotmail.com.

Related guides: 1980-1997 OBS · 1999-2002 7.3 · 2003-2007 6.0 · 2008-2010 6.4 · Cummins Swap Glossary