lectric80
3/4 ton status
Ok, well it was a thought.
CK5
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Blazer's Tow rigs
- Thread starter kgblazerfive
- Start date
I swapped a 12V Cummins into my K30 tow rig a couple years ago, the "project" included an Avalanche crossmember.
I would not recommend that one, I had to cut/weld/modify mine to have any bump travel, even with 4" of lift. Plus the thing could position the motor in about a dozen spots, but the engine only actually fit in one. For a part meant for that specific truck and that specific engine, I feel it should work way better than that. I'd be pissed if I paid for it.
I'd check out Autoword MT or Tennessee Diesel:
http://www.tndieselpower.com/site/products-page/conversion-parts/mount-member-package/
I would not recommend that one, I had to cut/weld/modify mine to have any bump travel, even with 4" of lift. Plus the thing could position the motor in about a dozen spots, but the engine only actually fit in one. For a part meant for that specific truck and that specific engine, I feel it should work way better than that. I'd be pissed if I paid for it.
I'd check out Autoword MT or Tennessee Diesel:
http://www.tndieselpower.com/site/products-page/conversion-parts/mount-member-package/
The guy who owns/ runs Tenn Diesel is a past CK5 member. I like his design its the stomaching the $500 is problem right now.
I used Scott's motor mounts (tenn diesel), with a different crossmember on my K5. I had bought a crossmember from a former member here "dcubb" that was setup for my old BB. I contacted him about it once I had decided on doing a Cummins, he said it would be no problem to build another for me to clear the 12v, he even gave me a link to a build on carolinak5 or wheelin Dixie (I can't remember) that showed a crossmember of his in a K30 with a 12v. After looking at it enough and knowing a the measurements of the one I already had I was able to determine the specs of the Cummins unit and then modified mine to the new spec.
Overall I'm very happy with how and where it all landed, the only unforeseen problem I had was the top 2 bell housing bolts are not accessible because of the factory trans tunnel. I ended up trimming some of my floor and basically raising the front of the trans tunnel cover to match it all, I only needed about an 1" or so to be comfortable.
There are some decent pics here http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252851&page=16
Overall I'm very happy with how and where it all landed, the only unforeseen problem I had was the top 2 bell housing bolts are not accessible because of the factory trans tunnel. I ended up trimming some of my floor and basically raising the front of the trans tunnel cover to match it all, I only needed about an 1" or so to be comfortable.
There are some decent pics here http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252851&page=16
Started taking the Dodge apart
I think what I am going to do is cut the core support of the Dodge. Then mod it to fit the parts Suburban radiator support I have so the whole Dodge radiator and A/C and inter-cooler fits in the Chevy core support.
Cool Keith!!!
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Subscribed!
I figure since I am putting on new fenders going to be pretty easy to do anyway.
sixb
1/2 ton status
Looking good Keith.
Do you still have the original engine adapter plate and Getrag? I may be interested in those and the pedal assembly if I decide not to put mine in the Ford.
Do you still have the original engine adapter plate and Getrag? I may be interested in those and the pedal assembly if I decide not to put mine in the Ford.
No plate is gone and Getrag was toast.
I still contemplate daily not doing the swap just because of the amount of work to do.
I still contemplate daily not doing the swap just because of the amount of work to do.
No it really isn't. Even have thought about selling the motor and buying a trailer and paying bills.
The Autoworld kits are the most expensive because they are the best. There is a TON of work ahead, and this is one way to get the motor in the right place, at the correct angle using only common hand tools.
I wonder if this "everyone" person ever did a swap themselves??
The cheapest and easiest part of my swap was buying the motor. It only got more expensive from there. If you have a running truck now, just drive it as is while you accumulate parts for the swap. Once you have EVERYTHING you need, you will probably only need a couple grand worth of parts to finish it. I went into my project thinking I had all of the big dollar stuff out of the way before I started. I was correct in that I had a motor, trans, bellhousing, etc, but the nickel and dime stuff in the last third of the project was ridiculous. I could not do anything that was less than $300.00. Anything. Ugh. Is it cool when it is done?? Yes. Would I do it again?? Man, not too sure on that one. I could have bought a LOT of fuel for that big block for what I dumped into a Cummins swap. It makes a cool ride when it is done, but there is a real high price of admission.
Not trying to tell you not to do it, but I really hate seeing nice old trucks relegated to almost permanent non-driving status in pursuit of a Cummins swap. Look around on various forums at Cummins swaps. Look at the start date of the build and then check the last post and see if it is done. Most are over two years old and still not finished. There are exceptions--some real nice ones at that, but these are the anomalies, not the rule. If you are having second thoughts now, it may be a good time to take a step back, drive the truck for awhile and reconsider the project.
I wonder if this "everyone" person ever did a swap themselves??
The cheapest and easiest part of my swap was buying the motor. It only got more expensive from there. If you have a running truck now, just drive it as is while you accumulate parts for the swap. Once you have EVERYTHING you need, you will probably only need a couple grand worth of parts to finish it. I went into my project thinking I had all of the big dollar stuff out of the way before I started. I was correct in that I had a motor, trans, bellhousing, etc, but the nickel and dime stuff in the last third of the project was ridiculous. I could not do anything that was less than $300.00. Anything. Ugh. Is it cool when it is done?? Yes. Would I do it again?? Man, not too sure on that one. I could have bought a LOT of fuel for that big block for what I dumped into a Cummins swap. It makes a cool ride when it is done, but there is a real high price of admission.
Not trying to tell you not to do it, but I really hate seeing nice old trucks relegated to almost permanent non-driving status in pursuit of a Cummins swap. Look around on various forums at Cummins swaps. Look at the start date of the build and then check the last post and see if it is done. Most are over two years old and still not finished. There are exceptions--some real nice ones at that, but these are the anomalies, not the rule. If you are having second thoughts now, it may be a good time to take a step back, drive the truck for awhile and reconsider the project.
wish I had extra cash to buy the remains of that dodge.... my single cab is very uncomfortable on all these cross country trips.. and I have the correct dually bed hanging around.. but how are the grill and front bumper? /hijack
Grill is not bad, not great but not bad. Bumper good as far as I remember, not sure I have ever looked at it careingly.
Body is in good ish shape doors are no good. Blew a tire at 75 mph bent drivers door. Ended up cutting a hole in passenger to get it open.
Body is in good ish shape doors are no good. Blew a tire at 75 mph bent drivers door. Ended up cutting a hole in passenger to get it open.
Moses
That is my issue my dually runs and works fine. Gas mileage sucks but it works.
I dont want to get half into the conversion and run out of money and be screwed.
So yeah still in lala land.
That is my issue my dually runs and works fine. Gas mileage sucks but it works.
I dont want to get half into the conversion and run out of money and be screwed.
So yeah still in lala land.
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Pretty much talked myself out of a cummins swap for now, for the exact same reason... my 454 doesn't even have 5000 miles on it yet....
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Probably best off to skip it then. A truck like that with a cummins in it is HARD to beat. But the swap will be expensive and time consuming. Whats more important to you? To have the best truck you can have? Or to have a truck that works and not have to spend the time/money on the swap?
THere is a certain percentage of folks that do stuff for the fun of doing it. For the hobby and project aspect. Those folks will gladly spend the money and put in the time because they view it as fun. Then there is the rest of the folks that only want the end result. The build isnt a quarter as fun as the end result to them. If you feel like you only want the end result, you dont want it bad enough to "suffer" through the build, because the build wont be fun to you and you will view it as a burden and a money pit.
THere is a certain percentage of folks that do stuff for the fun of doing it. For the hobby and project aspect. Those folks will gladly spend the money and put in the time because they view it as fun. Then there is the rest of the folks that only want the end result. The build isnt a quarter as fun as the end result to them. If you feel like you only want the end result, you dont want it bad enough to "suffer" through the build, because the build wont be fun to you and you will view it as a burden and a money pit.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
I should ask, what is your end goal for the truck? Tow rig? Cruiser? Expedition? Wheeler? What are the realistic duties that you expect this truck to perform?
