ARAMP1's Ultimate TowRig Build Thread

[ARAMP1]

ARAMP1 submitted a new Build:

ARAMP1's Ultimate TowRig Build Thread

Well, since nowadays you’re not cool unless you have a build thread, I figured I should do a build thread on my tow rig “Big White”.

SUBJECT:
Big White, as my truck is affectionately called, is a 1990 Chevrolet V3500 crew cab dually. It’s a Silverado model, so it’s fairly high on the options. And, I bought it in late 2005 with only a bit over 60K miles. All in all it’s a good starting point for any project.

HISTORY:
I’ve been looking for one of these trucks (crew cab, 4wd, dually) no kidding since 1996. I got married to my first wife in 1997 and she was totally against getting "one of those old trucks" or really any vehicle older than 3 or 4 years old (even though she enjoyed riding around in my 68 GTO convertible). I continued to look until we got divorced in 2003.
In 2003, a buddy and I drove from Sumter, SC to north of Boston (over 14 hours) to look at a truck. I turned it down due to the excessive amount of rust and drove 14 hours back home empty handed. Here's a pic of that piece...

During my search, I've looked at a bunch of these trucks. As those of you who have looked for a crew cab, 4wd, dually know, they're fairly hard to come by. And, even harder to come by are the ones that weren't used and abused as a work truck during it's life. I've kept this picture of one that I looked at in Missouri and seriously considered purchasing around 2001 or 2002. This one was beat to hell and he wanted around $4K if memory serves me right.

In 2005, as I finished pilot training, I came across “Big White”. My fiancé knew I’ve been looking for one of these trucks for a long while. I even came across an old truck trader from 2001 that I bought to inquire about one of these trucks when cleaning out the house. She told me right then and there that I needed to get “Big White”! I still have that old truck trader...(see the top right 91 GMC? It's a four speed too. They wanted $16K back in 2001!)...

Read more about this build here...

View attachment 230669

 

[ARAMP1]

Here's the aluminum block I'm using. An all iron 4-71 would weigh over 2100 lbs. By using an aluminum block, front and rear plates, front cover and rear bellhousing, along with some other weigh savings things, I'm hoping to save 650 to 800 pounds.

The engine in the back is a pontiac 455 for size reference, although you can't really see how much bigger the Detroit is in this picture.

Here's a bad picture of the transmission.

Here's inspiration for the dash...Kenworth style.

Here's closer to what I'll actually do for the dash...

 

[Copasetic]

This is going to be good. Good luck with it! And be careful across the pond!

 

[chevy wrangler]

wow cant wait for more progress

 

[barneybasher1010]

one hell of a build off.

 

[ARAMP1]

wow cant wait for more progress

You and me both.

 

[Jishory]

damn dude, that will be the ultimate tow rig for sure! keep us posted

 

[CDA 455]

You and me both.

Well, is the engine built yet?????


It's already been 26 hours !!!!

 

[ARAMP1]

Well, is the engine built yet?????


It's already been 26 hours !!!!

Almost, I'm only missing a few minor parts such as the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, cylinder liners, cylinder head, camshaft and balance shaft...

 

[CDA 455]

Almost, I'm only missing a few minor parts such as the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, cylinder liners, cylinder head, camshaft and balance shaft...

What will be the length of the stroke?

And what would be the maximum stroke length?


That looks like a very taaaaall block!!!

 

[ARAMP1]

Here's the info from the service manual. It seems a little small, but keep in mind that every stroke is a power stroke. There's not much messing around with bore/stroke like you might do with any conventional engine. When the engine is worn, you replace the cylinder liners and go from there. A guy I know is boring out the block to accept the 92 series cylinders and pistons, but it's a lot of machine work and you're cutting into the air dam and water jacket. I'm keeping the displacement stock. I'll ceramic coat the top of the pistons and maybe put some kind of coating on the skirts, but other than that, it will be all stock.

 

[CDA 455]

Here's the info from the service manual. It seems a little small, but keep in mind that every stroke is a power stroke.

I used to own a '72 Pontiac GP with a 455.

That Detroit has similar numbers in the bore.

Try to find oot what the maximum stroke is on that motor.

5 inches !!

I wonder if you can squeeze another inch oot in stroke.


So, you're talking aboot 500-600ft-lbs of torque !

 

[ARAMP1]

I wonder if you can squeeze another inch oot in stroke. So, you're talking aboot 500-600ft-lbs of torque !

I doubt it. Not without major reworking of the block, cylinders and crankshaft. Air enters the cylinder at the bottom of the cylinder (even though it's 4 valves per cylinder, all 4 valves are exhaust valves). At about the time the piston reaches BDC, it uncovers the intake ports. These ports are cast into the block.

I'm hoping for 350-400 hp and 600-700 ft-lbs. I believe this is obtainable while obtaining 15-20 mpg based on what others have have achieved with similar style builds.

 

[ryoken]

Cool build.....

I hope you plan on a block heater... 2 stroke Detroits are an absolute bear to start in cold weather...

 

[TC4x4]

Sweet buil keep us posted man.

 

[nvrenuf]

Wow That's a pull truck!

What type of gear ratios will be available to you?

 

[ARAMP1]

I hope you plan on a block heater... 2 stroke Detroits are an absolute bear to start in cold weather...

Definitely am. Without glow plugs, this is a very true statement.

 

[ARAMP1]

What type of gear ratios will be available to you?

I believe I can get 3.54s, 3.73s, 3.91s or 4.10s for each. My plan is to leave the Dana 60/70 setup until the engine/trans are in and running well. The axles will be sort of a "phase II" or until something breaks badly, and then I'll go from there.

 

[Big91RustyBucket]

Damn that rig will be wicked.

 

[smalltruckbigcid]

..snip....
I'm hoping for 350-400 hp and 600-700 ft-lbs. I believe this is obtainable while obtaining 15-20 mpg based on what others have have achieved with similar style builds.

I hate to say this but your goals seem a bit high. In a truck config a turbo'd 6-71 puts out about 270hp. The non turbo'd model is 238 hp. You are going to have to work to get more than 250hp from this setup. But I would guess 500lbft of tq is easily doable or maybe even more.

You can bump cam timing on the crank 1 tooth and get more power from that. Not sure how much though. Its worth doing on the 8V-71's so it'll help you some too. These also like bigger injectors too.

I would recomend a different transmission setup than to run the 13 through the 205 and then the brownie. I assume the brownie is there for the low gears it would give you. The problem I see is parasitic drag from the extra box. What about running a RTO 11909LL. It gives you the same overdrive ratio (.73) and gets you a deeper first gear than the 13. Low low gear would be about 26.8-1. I think this is a popular dump truck tranny. Weight is about the same at just under 700lbs. I saw the overdrive feature of the brownie but that takes lots of torque to pull.

Very cool project you have planned. Good Luck
George