Cummins swap

[sixb]

I am putting a 92 5.9 cummins, 97 Dodge nv4500, 90 Dodge np205, 82 1 ton dana 60, and a mid 70s ff 14 bolt in my 84 k5, which was origanally a 6.2 detroit 700r4 np208. I have it down to the frame with the cummins sitting in there now. A few people have suggested that I box my frame, now would be the time to do it but it is a lot of extra work and money. So my question is do I really need to do it. I'm not building a rock crawler just a good trail rig for rough logging roads in the UT mountains. I will add the ord weld on steering brace and I went with the avalanche eng. motor mounts and crossmember for th chev to cummins conversion, very well built and heavy duty. So what is yalls opinion do I really need to fully box it for my application, Thanks.

I also will be building my own heavy duty front and rear pipe bumpers.

 

[dyeager535]

I'm torn.

It doesn't seem to be necessary for most, especially if it's just on road.

But if the truck does get taken to places where it flexes, IMO it needs to be boxed, especially if you care about the topper, opening the doors, etc.

My truck broke the welds holding the body together between the drivers door and windshield, and I don't wheel hard. When I swap bodies, the frame will be boxed.

 

[sixb]

Well it looks like I will be boxing it, I was hoping for more input from guys who have done the swap but it just makes good sence to spend the extra time and money to get it done right the first time. Thanks dyeager535 for your help in both threads, much appreciated.

 

[uao85]

If it were me, I would box the entire frame. I have always had an inclination that the reason dodges are such POS's, is because the vibration from the 6bt shakes the truck to pieces and allows the truck to fall apart. Anything you can do to stiffen the frame will prevent it from both rattling apart and twisting apart from the sheer amount of torque pushing through the drivetrain, especially when modded.

Remington