Cummins into 1500?

[mossyoak90]

First off im curious if this is possible. Id like to see a 5.9 cummins in my 1500 but im thinking ill end up spending more money than its really worth. Would the tranny in a 1500 even come close to holding up to a cummins? Would i need to maybe put an allison and get a conversion kit to mate the allison with the cummins? What about the front end and frame, is there enough a$$ to support the torque and weight of all this? Seems like its a huge money project thats bound to have more problems than its worth. What do ya think?

[wade_660]

I have some friends that do these conversions all the time. They mainly only do it on Dodge 1500's though. I have seen several of these trucks with it done and they are crazy fast. Im not sure about all of the particulars, but I know they use the 2500 transmissions and the 1500 rear ends. They tell me that they can keep the rear ends stock, because they will never hook up good enough to tear anything up. I may not be much help but get in touch with Garmon's performance diesel and Im sure they can give you some info. Also, look some of their trucks up on youtube.

[kirk]

I dont think the frame, tranny, rear end, or IFS of a 1500 can handle a 6BT Cummins. A 4BT Cummins would be a much more practical swap in a 1/2 ton imo.

[mikesec]

what year 1500 we talking about???? if its and 77-87 not that big of a deal.... newer, ifs i wouldnt bother.. buy a duramax

[kirk]

what year 1500 we talking about????

:word: The year would help. I'm assuming it's got IFS, going by his username:dunno:

[wade_660]

I have a friend that has a couple 4BTs for sale. BTW

[Ruckess]

I have a 1981 GMC Shorty I want to do this swap to, or to a LB7 Duramax Mated with the Allison.

I just want to be sure the Frame can handle it!

The truck is bone stock right now on propane with a 4bolt 350 mated with a 1991 700r4. .373 rear gears and 235 front and 295 rear shoes! I have no rubber left and that is with the propane and limited slip! lol

If the frame can handle it I want a 24v 5.9 complete drivtraine minus the rear axel!
Gonna check out the rest of this forum to see whats out there and look into the above posts!

If the LB7 Duramax with the allison is a better bet then I will go that direction. I am a deisel tech by trade so really I am quite familure with either drivetrain and love both motors!

[Macdiesel]

First off im curious if this is possible. Id like to see a 5.9 cummins in my 1500 but im thinking ill end up spending more money than its really worth. Would the tranny in a 1500 even come close to holding up to a cummins? Would i need to maybe put an allison and get a conversion kit to mate the allison with the cummins? What about the front end and frame, is there enough a$$ to support the torque and weight of all this? Seems like its a huge money project thats bound to have more problems than its worth. What do ya think?

Is it possible? Anything is possible if you've got the $$$$'s. Dimentionally, yes the 5.9 will fit in the engine bay. It's very tight and will require several modifications but it will fit. A body lift makes it easier on the swap and there will be some spacial issues up front if you are installing an intercooler and going to use the mechancial fan. Also, you will run into a crossmember or oil pan mod and possibly a frame mod depending on where you mount the ac compressor. The tranny absolutely will not hold up to the Cummins torque, nor will the differentials especially if you are planning to mod the cummins in any form for more power. Other considerations are that the Cummins weights more than double the engine you had in there before plus the weight from a bigger transmission that you will need. So frame strength and front suspension will be problem factors to consider as well. The most economical transmission route would be a NV4500 5 speed with a high performance clutch behind the 6bt. The most feasible route would be the 4bt that someone mentioned earlier. It still weighs almost double than the engine that you had in there before but your differentials have a much better chance of holding up than with the 6bt. You will still need a new transmission due to the operating rpm range of the 4bt is much different than a gas motor. You will also still need a considerable amount of modifications for the fitment but a body lift may not be necessary and you will have more room in front as well. Engine wise, the 6bt may actually be cheaper since there are so many of them out there. The 4bt's are more rare and harder to find and you will usually pay more for them. The 4bt will have as much power as a 350 but at close to double the gas mileage. I would feel more comfortable with the 6bt in a 3/4 or 1 ton frame and running gear. Either way you are looking at spending some major bucks. I wouldn't do it unless your truck is cherry and you plan on keeping it for years to come.

[Mudd Slaynger]

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/index.php

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/general-discussion/diesel-tech/engine-swaps/374390-4bt-cummins-turbo-diesel-05-silverado-pictures.html

[ToneDanza]

deff do a 4bt in a 1500 due to torque and power, also wieght is an issue with a 6bt, 4 bt deff a safer easyer choice and outlook for the furture

[Chin Strap]

If you are going to do a cummins swap, don't waste your time doing it on a half ton, unless you plan to SAS, upgrade the rear end and Tranny.

[Jameslleary]

I would think that a GMT 400 frame, being boxed up front, and heavier steel in the back would be a better candidate, as the 73-87 pickups are not boxed at all.

[t00lmanii]

some guys just kill me with their comments. There are LOTS of 1/2 tons out there that have Cummins in them. And guess what, the frames aren't twisting in two with the weight and torque of the Cummins. I'm just finishing up on my 97 Suburban with a 5.9. My son has been running a 5.9 in his 93 S-10 for almost a year now. No problems what-so-ever. We did think he might have some front wheel bearing issues but that hasn't proved so. He does have aftermarket A-arms and coil over shocks all the way around.
I did do a SAS on the Suburban, using Ford Super Duty axles. Also used an NV4500/241DHD combo out of the Dodge donor truck, which, by the way is the way to go. Buy a complete Dodge donor truck.....it'll save you mucho bucks having a source for most everything you need. Buying piecemeal will add up in a hurry.
As far as cost, it mostly depends on how much fab work you can do yourself. But for an idea on cost, here is a short rundown on what I have. Bought donor truck for 4000. Sold my 236K mile 350 for 400 bucks. Sold my 4l60e for 375. T-case I got 100 bucks I think. Still have the wheels/tires to sell....should get enough to cancel out what I paid for the Ford wheels/tires. That puts me about 3100 in the hole. I am somewhere just under another grand on assorted other parts. I gave other stuff away that would have brought in some more cash, but didn't mess with it. (relatively new rad. I gave to my father in law, also all the ifs stuff and rear end) Is my 97 burb worth what I spent on it? I don't know. I know all the used diesels I looked at in my price range were trashed, and this one I have had since new. Its pretty clean. The interior is in great condition and overall I know its history.
It's been a 6 month journey, and a lot of work.....but wrenching is what I like to do anyway. I'm a machinst by trade, and have a lathe, milling machine, and other shop tools that made the swap doable.

[REIDZ71]

its very doable. im just finishing up my swap in a '06 1500.

[mainechev]

My son has been running a 5.9 in his 93 S-10 for almost a year now. No problems what-so-ever.

Whaaat!

Any pictures, or preferably vids? That thing must haul ass!

[t00lmanii]

Mainchev, pics are at www.dieselsnguns.blogspot.com yessir.....it'll haul ass. It is a ve pumped motor, or was......it's under the knife now.....getting a modified P-pump, injectors, twin turbos and other goodies. It's supposed to be in the Jan issue of Diesel Power......a condensed story until they can do another photo shoot in the spring when a feature article is planned. It was slated for a feature in Jan, but then in his conversations with the writer he divulged his plans for the p-pump and twins and that piqued theri interest for the later story. So......don;t really know what will be in the Jan issue.....but my son is still cranked up about it.

[mainechev]

:worship::worship:

I can't wait to see the feature in Diesel Power!

[6.0 Bowtie HD]

When I was in California there was an 04 1500 with a cummins 24 valve. The owner I worked with he bought a wrecked dodge dually. He used the engine, trans, and Ecu from the donor truck. He lifted it to run 44s building his own lift system to fit his corporate 14 in the rear and ford solid axle up front. IIRC he used a built atlas transfer case. The only thing unmolested on the truck was the Chevy sheet metal. He was an awesome frabricator and his rig looked so clean and well done. I asked him why put all that work onto a half ton platform. He said it was already paid off and why not. He did reinforce the frame while he had it torn apart.