Cummins Swap 94 chevy

The abridged story bought 94 6.5 dually quad cab w/ blown up motor put in brand new GM crate motor, lasted 12k and crank broke in half. so i bought a 94 dodge donor truck.

specs:
94 Cummins 175hp
ARP Head Studs and new Head Gasket
South Bend 13 Con OFE clutch
Stage 3 Injectors
3k Govenor Springs
Ground fuel plate
Hybrid stage IV Turbo in the works
Chevy NV4500 modified

couple pics of the dodge and the gutted chevy, first test fit

After test fit pulled head, timed 15.6, fixed KDP.

motor reassembled

dodge radiator is used, stock dodge intercooler, manaul fan did not want a electric fan, firewall was modified and new tranny tunnel. no body lift, tranny moved back 5 inches. Dynonmated entire car to sound deaden including firewall both sides.

heres motor mounts and checking checking turbo runout

Good work!

But,
This is a 6.5TD site!

as for wiring vrything is functional, wait to start light fuel filter maintence light, cruise control, a/c is wired but need to build bracket for compresor and chevy altenator running dodge alt. now. but need chevy for tachometer, everything is factory parts so easily replaceable. would not know cummins is in ther unless told or got to drive it. ill get osme finised pics up soon

Man, I'm impressed, really :thumb:

Good work!

But,
This is a 6.5TD site!
I don't mind!

I'm just waiting to see the end result. If he can grenade two 6.5s, imagine how spectacular the breakage will be with a really beefy motor!

Awesome man. looks good. keep us updated would love to see some video of finished product running

im looking to do a similar swap, you got any pics of the firewall and tranny tunnel mods?

loos good, keep the pictures coming:thumb:

Great craftsmanship on the mods! I like the extra touches, such as dynomat on the firewall. Let us know how she runs, and keep the pictures flowing!

:thumb:

Good work!

But,
This is a 6.5TD site!


Oh come on!..............what?, would you rather read another post about a possible PMD failure. :)

This is sweet!!

Looks good. 1 question though. A brand new gm crate engine comes with 3year/36,000 mile parts & labor warranty. Maybe get your new engine from gm then sell it to offset some of the cost of doing the conversion.

Nice work, how much to do mine?:p: That's a 2wd right? A solid axle swap would be my biggest intimidating factor for me. Even if the 6.5 is warranted after the second motor puked at 12k, I would loose all hope. (but I would get the new 6.5 and sell it too)

I have had thoughts about building a motor like that 1982 shortbed chevy on the Youtube videos we always see. I will save myself alot of money instead of buying a brand new $50K pickup and putting some money in my pickup. Yes, I know what needs to be done to have a motor like that also, and better.

I can get a high mileage P-pump 5.9 cummins motor (COMPLETE) for $2-$2,500 from a local diesel junkyard out by where my folks live. I would just settle for a 6in lift instead of swapping in a solid axle. I dont know yet, there are so many directions one could go with when doing a motor swap.

Like my dad said, build a good motor, do a paint job and some body work. Put some nice seats and a new headliner in and I would have a good running truck for the next 10 years. I think the price would add up though when I would have to deal with things like rebuilding the whole drivetrain (axles, differentials, bearings, shafts, tranny, t-case, etc) but I would have a unique pickup.

I love to see guys doing THE conversion on the Chevy's....Although I'm fairly biased :) Good work man, your gonna love that thing..

Good work!

But,
This is a 6.5TD site!

I'm with DieselCash - This forum is supposed to be how to repair and keep your 6.5 repaired - Not how to replace it with BrandD.
Shouldn't this stuff be somewhere else?
Even if it were a BBC or SBC instead of a Dodge motor, these swaps just don't belong here. Somewhere, sure enough - Just not here.

Another opinion worth just what you've paid for it.

great job keep posting the progress

heres some finished pics, probably not ever going to do a video but anyone local is more than welcome to come by the shop to see it. you can contact us through here www.eastcoastgearsupply.com (http://www.eastcoastgearsupply.com) The truck runs awesome, once you get in 3rd gear it is go time.

I bought the crate motor from a guy who sold them to the military to go into hummers i paid cash and the warranty was not included.

For the haters that want to keep up their 6.5's heres some tips.

1. Truck won't start, randomely cuts off- replace PMD' w/ heath's kit
2. Truck overheats when towing- clean radiator, put on some more heath products
3. Have done every mod possible to my truck and it is still is a big pile of poo- replace w/ cummins report it here.

cool.i like that

Sweet

Nice Job Man...How long start to finish? I'm not too up on the cummins, how do you deal with the electrics, if any?

Nice Job Man...How long start to finish? I'm not too up on the cummins, how do you deal with the electrics, if any?

If its a 12 valve its got the P7100 injection pump. Injection is all mechanical. You'd need power to the grid heater and the starter and one for the shut off solenoid. The 24 Valve 1/2 way through 1998 was when the Cummins went to electronic injection with the VP44 pump until 2002.

NICE I'm doing the same thing except mine was a gasser and didn't have a motor when I got it mine also has a 6spd:D I'll post up some pics of mine when I get time and the few remaining pieces to the thing I call a puzzle only a wiring harness for the engine and a slide yoke left

Nice job cperry.Looks very impressive.Congratulations on doing a fine job.I'm glad to see you've posted this on the forum.When my olds 5.7 gives up,I was thinking of transplanting the international 6.9 V8 found in the F250 and F350 ford trucks.

I too am glad to see this thread on here. For the amount of miles that a lot of guys on here get out of Reman 6.5 engines I'm very apprehensive about sticking $4K in one of them.

If its a 12 valve its got the P7100 injection pump. Injection is all mechanical. You'd need power to the grid heater and the starter and one for the shut off solenoid. The 24 Valve 1/2 way through 1998 was when the Cummins went to electronic injection with the VP44 pump until 2002.

12 Valves also came with the VE mechanical rotary from 89-93. The VE is like our DB and VP is like our DS.

I too am glad to see this thread on here. For the amount of miles that a lot of guys on here get out of Reman 6.5 engines I'm very apprehensive about sticking $4K in one of them.

The cummins engine is money well spent.It'll outlast several chevy bodies before its all said and done.

Quote:

For the haters that want to keep up their 6.5's heres some tips.

1. Truck won't start, randomely cuts off- replace PMD' w/ heath's kit
2. Truck overheats when towing- clean radiator, put on some more heath products
3. Have done every mod possible to my truck and it is still is a big pile of poo- replace w/ cummins report it here.


:funnypost:lol::funnypost:lol:

Nice work. How long was the project?

I plan on doing this and more at a later time. Does anyone know where a person can get CAD files of a Cummins, Dana 60, 205 T-case, and a Chevy truck?

3. Have done every mod possible to my truck and it is still is a big pile of poo- replace w/ cummins...

Just curious : What are you planning to drop in when the Cummins gives you problems?

I'll have to admit this seems like one hell of a project. It would sure be alot of fun doing something like that, but not to my truck :D

Meh. I'd rather drop a DMax in my rig than a Cummins.

Sure if you want to sort through 50 pounds of wiring and have it last 1/2 as long

Just curious : What are you planning to drop in when the Cummins gives you problems?

The truck will have been rusted off the wheels by then...

the only problems one could/would develop woud be a permanent grin on one's face, and possibly twitchy eyeballs from always scanning between the boost gauge, the smoke in the rearview mirror, and back up at the road.

Just curious : What are you planning to drop in when the Cummins gives you problems?

I'm with DieselCash - This forum is supposed to be how to repair and keep your 6.5 repaired - Not how to replace it with BrandD.
Shouldn't this stuff be somewhere else?
Even if it were a BBC or SBC instead of a Dodge motor, these swaps just don't belong here. Somewhere, sure enough - Just not here.

Another opinion worth just what you've paid for it.

Sounds like your jealous

Sounds like your jealous

Sounds like we need to not instigate this any further. ;)

Just curious : What are you planning to drop in when the Cummins gives you problems?
A box - probably from old age! :)

I dropped a 6.2 into a little stepside - it's a fun little toy, but the cost of the surplus 6.2 cemented that deal. A Benz 3.0 turbo motor was another choice I considered, or even a 4BT. If it craps out prematurely, I'll most likely try one of those two choices.

That is friggin sweet! nice work, Congrats! Keep her alive!

I have about 80 hours in the project, we worked on it over the course of 3 weeks, as far as problems with the cummins go they are pretty bulletproof the KDP pin was fixed, the Injection pump is referred to as the million mile pump. the bottom ends are an amazing piece of equipment that rarely ever fail before at the least 500k and it got head studs, new head gasket so hopefully ill be squared away for quiet sometime. As for the Dmax yes dmax's are sweet but once I drop a turbo on this I dare to say it will beat a stock duramax at about 1/8 the cost. I bought the doaner truck for about $1500 dollars. If someone wants to pay for a Dmax swap I aint scared to do it but you better have deep pockets.

:) No hard feelings here.

Look - Just saying, you (or I) can have trouble with ANY engine. If you believe that the Dodge motor will run forever - Go For It... The main thing is that YOU are having FUN with what you're doing.

I still think that it's :offtopic: on this (the 6.5) forum. Maybe there's a *Lets See What We Can Do To A Great Truck* forum. But I thought this one was dedicated to the GM Diesels? Personally I prefer SBCs over the Diesel, I really understand the SBC, but that's not what we're here for. Not gassers, and not Diesels, but 6.5 Diesels. That, friends, is my point.

Jealous? Both of my cars are Mercs. My bike is HD. I've owned a couple of everyone's trucks and I just way prefer GM's trucks. I've always done my own wrenching and find GM engines way easier to keep running and cheaper to fix when something breaks. As an added bonus they're surrounded by a great truck.

One other thing... If you can't keep a 6.5 running, just wait till the Dodge Diesel stops.;) Oooops - Sorry, I forgot - They run forever :muahaha:

Live & Learn

yes clearly I have no skills and could not figure out how to keep the 6.5 going and I will be seriously screwed if something happens to the cummins b/c i have no mechanical skills whatsoever and should be demoted to only using 4 way srewdrivers and monkey wrenches to do odd jobs around the house :D.

What - No hammer? Ya gotta get one - You'll love it! :)
I use mine all the time -- The stupid thing will hurt your fingers though.

cummins swap makes me hate my life

my $0.02 :D

This might turn into a pirate style pissing match before it is all over.:Moon:.

This is coming from a guy who has a 6.5 and for the most part really likes it but is also from a guy who is doing a cummins swap and thinks he is going to like it MORE but only time will tell I have maybe 20 hrs into my swap and another 20 to go but think the end product will be more reliable and have more power. :D

I will now let the grudge match continue:rolleyes:

nice work!

how bout an engine/tranny/whatever swapping thread? for any engine in a GM truck? just a thought. especially since these trucks are aging and there are a great deal of mechanically inclined people around here.

i would only want a dodge for the engine, thats all. i much prefer chevy's body stlye and interior. it might be a good thread for hobbyists, i dont see anything wrong with the swap, maybe it just needs its own category.

This might turn into a pirate style pissing match before it is all over.


Won't get that far i'll tell you that. I'm keeping an eye on this thread.

That is a pretty sweet swap, good work man. My dad has a Cummins sitting around that we would like to stick in his truck but we just haven't had the time.

I agree that this is a forum for 6.5L stuff but I can't see a better place for this post, there doesn't seem to be a mix-n-match forum. The general consensus from the posts here seem to be that this is AWESOME, and we like hearing about it with the exception of a couple guys I guess. It's not like the 6.5L board is so polluted with non-6.5L posts that we should squash this one. It's nice to hear about something different and exciting instead of the same old PMD stuff.

Not saying that I am not happy with my little 6.5L and that it can't be a good performing long living engine but honestly who in their right mind would try to argue that a Cummins is not a far better engine from the oil pan up? Just seems illogical to me thats all. True any engine can break, but I think statistically the Cummins is known to last longer and have fewer problems.

Insulting the mechanical skills of a dude who just did this swap seems uncalled for too.

Lets try not to discourage talking about our interesting projects on this forum and let's also try not to insult each other. I say if you don't like hearing about Cummins swaps, don't click on a post titled "Cummins swap 94 chevy"

Maybe if there is a severe problem with non-6.5L stuff clogging up this board we need to ask whoever runs it to create a engine/body mix-n-match forum for us.

my $0.02

I am more than happy with my 6.2 and my new to me 6.5, this is an interesting thread, but i gotta say one thing...I am loving the fact that i see a dial indicator being used...good work man, keep the old ways alive eh(too many young guns think you can slap an engine together without using dial indicators, micrometers, snap gauges, bore gauges, and what not...)

Very nice work! how hard was it integrating all the dodge controls into the chevy truck? God it would be sweet to have a cummins in my truck. :D

Have you driven this yet? any fuel mileage numbers?

This won't turn into a pissing match b/c I don't have anything to prove nor care too. I have drove it alot, no long road trips yet and frankly can't keep my foot out of the gas its kinda like driving a vtech accord, when you hit the gas it goes and when it spools up it goes real fast so im sure im winning no fuel economy awards plus i like smoking PSD's in my old ass chevy.

Integrading the dodge controls was easy if you have elctrical skills and can read a wiring diagram. the chevy had alot of wiring that had to be sorted through and I gutted most everything that was uneeded.

I just completed a cummins swap about an hour ago. I still have the 98 with the 6.5, but I just swapped its work truck duties with a 97 2500 that I just bought tonight. No special crossmembers, no firewall modifications, no wiring harness sorting. It took a grand total of about an hour.

Ya but now you have to drive a Dodge, and you probably did not bleed in the process what fun is that.

Unless diesel truck prices have gone back up this swap is not even worth it unless your dying to do it. When diesel was $5 you could buy a nice dodge, chevy, ford truck for about half what they were going for 2 years ago.

I just couldn't let her go, quad cab, dually, gosseneck, and captains chairs with all new brakes all the way around, ball joints, and I had just rebiult the NV4500. She literally just needed a motor.

Best motor available in the best truck available

looks good

jim

I have been around this forum for a while and have seen many threads about 6.5 to Cummins swaps. The guys have done some nice work. Sure it's a 6.5 forum but no one has ever complained before. Just enjoy the craftmanship guys. It's nice to see.

Nice work. Someday soon my truck will have the same thing. Currently looking for a donor truck. Did you have to scavenge any dash parts / gages from the Dodge or were you able to get it wired up OK? Any tips for someone looking to do this?

It's all good. You do have the best motor, even a ford guy will admit to that. Ford, chevy, dodge, they all break. I really like torque, hence the cummins, I don't really care what truck, hence the dodge. Your swap looks really good. Maybe someday I will find the square nose crew 1 ton chevy to put a 12 valve in.:)

the only wiring delima is the tach. the chevy gets a tach signal from the chevy alt. so i had to run the chevy alt. Or you could run an aftermarket guage. I wanted all factory guages. I also used a one wire 80 psi chevy oil pressure sender and taped it into the dodge harness then back to the chevy body harness. dodge senders are different then chevy.

Thanks for the info. Good to know.

Sorry, one last question. Did you do change out your lift pump for a higher volume unit? If so what did you go with. Thanks

Cummins in place of a 6.5 is a good thing helped my brother do it, I rolled the old 89 dodge with the cummins in it, he bought it from the guy i worked for in wyoming and he also bought his 92 chevy with it 2'nd 6.5 with a bad turbo. both trucks 3'000 not bad but i had to wreck the dodge first, rolled twice landed on wheels still running just broke shifter off when i went over. I'm getting ready to put a dmax in the place of a 6.2/86 military surplus truck, with 14 bolt rear and a true dana 60 front it will be one hell of a truck when done, also 8" lift on alreay, going to be a project but it will be a good one.

i was thinking about doing the same thing.

i had considered using a cummins from a ford, but after seeing my buddies frame in his 95 crewcab not handle the torque from his ford model cummins i may have to rethink swapping out my 6.5, they sure are a nice motor though.

i would like to do a d-max swap just to stay gm but a little too pricey.

i was thinking about doing the same thing.

i had considered using a cummins from a ford, but after seeing my buddies frame in his 95 crewcab not handle the torque from his ford model cummins i may have to rethink swapping out my 6.5, they sure are a nice motor though.

i would like to do a d-max swap just to stay gm but a little too pricey.

that and wiring up the drop in DMAX is a friggin full time job. :D

Id like to drop in a JD 7700 combine engine, should be pretty good mpg.

that and wiring up the drop in DMAX is a friggin full time job. :D

eh wiring is not all that bad, the ecm can't tell what it is in for sheetmetal, its just a matter of swapping in all sensors and switches and gauges from a donor truck.

it would be a little more complicated than the 93 3500 hd i switched from a 6.5 truck to running a tbi 454 with 4l80e, and that was a harness switch using a 91 g30 van harness and incorporating it into some of the existing 6.5 harness but yet making it its own system.

its all just a matter of a little time and patience

Im thinking of doing this do I need the cummins computer and wiring harness to do it? And do I need the tranny out of the dodge

Im thinking of doing this do I need the cummins computer and wiring harness to do it? And do I need the tranny out of the dodge

12V cummins is a mechanical injection diesel engine. the First gen cummins used the VE pump up until 93. The 94 to mid 98 used the P7100 inline pump. from mid 98 to 04 the VP44 was used which was when the cummins switched over to electronic injection. Mid 98 and up also was when the engine went from 12 to 24 valves.

The most common swaps into chevy's seem to be the 12V and the NV4500 manual trans. This eliminates any and all powertrain computer controls.

Well I would like to keep my auto trans will this still work and what years of cumming works the best to put in my 95 chevy. So your saying after I put it in I wont have a need for the computer or will I have to change the wiring harness to run my stock gauges.Thanks

Well I would like to keep my auto trans will this still work and what years of cumming works the best to put in my 95 chevy. So your saying after I put it in I wont have a need for the computer or will I have to change the wiring harness to run my stock gauges.Thanks

If you keep the stock trans and you have the 4L80-E, it'll be a royal pain. For Cummins engine, you'll want 89-98 12 valves. Identified by six seprate valve covers verses the 24 valves' one big one. 24 Valve also has the oil fill in the valve cover where the 12 valve is in the timing cover. Could always do a P pump conversion on a 24 valve though.

Doesnt someone have a adapter plate for the cummins to a 4l80e?

Cperry,

What an amazing job on your cummins swap, I am planning to do the same swap in my 1994 especially since I am on my 2nd engine and the cracking still continues.....

My plan will be to use a 24 Valve Cummins with a manual P7100 injection pump and a 3800 governor spring as well as a fuel plate..

Any ways AWESOME JOB on the conversion!!!!!!!!!
GLAD YOU POSTED THIS ARTICLE HERE

Doesnt someone have a adapter plate for the cummins to a 4l80e?
there is a adapter for a cummins to gm trans, they can be found an ebay and then its just a matter of a tci controller to operate the trans

there is a adapter for a cummins to gm trans, they can be found an ebay and then its just a matter of a tci controller to operate the trans

Didnt the early 90s 4L80Es not need that?

Didnt the early 90s 4L80Es not need that?

They all need a controller.

there is a adapter for a cummins to gm trans, they can be found an ebay and then its just a matter of a tci controller to operate the trans

Those are what, $1,000 a pop?

Good work. Put a video of it running in Youtube

They all need a controller.



Those are what, $1,000 a pop?


the tci controller is about $700 and then the throttle sensor i think is $250

These guys may have a adapter.
http://www.phxgrp.com/transmission.htm

nice build.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4l80e.htm

Scroll down to the adapters. This place makes adapters for all engines.

I want a adapter to mount a JD combine engine to a 4L80E.

Well..... Almost all engines. :think:

They have just about every thing that is driven daily on there. And nothing was ridiculously priced either.

Do you know where i can find the deminsions on the engine?

Do you know where i can find the deminsions on the engine?

No way it fits with that drop :D

No way it fits with that drop :D

maybe sideways.

Why do you say that? With the newer model front end, I have a whole lot more room under the hood. I have a sawzall and a welding machine, I can make anything fit.

Why do you say that? With the newer model front end, I have a whole lot more room under the hood. I have a sawzall and a welding machine, I can make anything fit.
How about a 550 CAT? :D

And I thought this site was for grown ups to ask questions and get serious questions.

And I thought this site was for grown ups to ask questions and get serious questions.

And "grown ups" aren't allowed to ever sit back and laugh? You made a hyperbole that may have come off arrogant and/or cocky to him, so he asked an equally arrogant and/or cocky, but funny reply and you get your panties in a wad. So much for being "grown up."

Ok. if you say so. Everything I had to say was serious.

Ok. if you say so. Everything I had to say was serious.

Let me get this staight. You say you were "serious" when you said you could put anything in there, yet you got upset when someone asked you if you could put a Cat in there? Whatever.:rolleyes:

I am really not in the mood to get in an internet pissing contest with some internet ganster, so if anyone would like to chime in with the info I asked for, it would be greatly appreciated.

I would like some dimensions too please, so I know how high to mount my '77 Chevy's body on the '95 3500HD frame. :)

6B5.9 - 160 vital statistics:
Horsepower 160 @ 2500
Peak torque 400 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Governed speed 2500 rpm
Engine cylinders in-line six
Bore & Stroke 4.02 x 4.72 in
Displacement 5.9 liters (359 cu in)
Compression ratio 17.5:1
Operating cycles 4
Oil system capacity 17.3 quarts
Cooling system capacity 10.5 "
Net engine weight (Std accessories) 942 lbs.
The automotive 6B5.9 engine dimensions are:
Length 40.02 in.
Width 32.44 in.
Height 35.52 in.
Weight 942 lbs.
The marine versions of this engine dimensions are:
(6BTA5.9-M1) (6BTA5.9-M2) (6BTA5.9-M3)
Length 40.69 in. 40.48 40.48
Width 30.25 in. 32.14 31.40
Height 33.94 in. 31.73 31.73
Weight 1,035 lbs. 1,175 1,225

Details on the Cummins ISB engine:
Displacement 359 cu. in. (5.9 liters)
Length 40.03 in
Width 30.32 in
Height 31.72 in
Bore 102mm (4.02 c.i.)
Stroke 120mm (4.72 c.i.)
Compression ratio 16.5:1
Dry weight 437kg (962 lb)
Oil Capacity 14.2 liters (15 US quarts)
Fuel filter Top load cartridge - Fleetguard FS 1261
Spin on filter - FS 19519
Oil filter - Fleetguard - LF3729
Oil Drain Interval - 15,000 miles or one year (whichever comes first)
Recommended oils - 15w40 API CE/SG
Valve adjustment - 150,000 miles

Took me about three seconds via Google to find it here:
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/1041756-post2.html

Thanks. I did all kinds of different searches, but came up with nothing.

Cool to see this conversion!!!
Couple of quick facts....
Cummins IS NOT made by Dodge, and Cummins is wholly owned by Cummins, not ford or dodge.
a 5.9 6BT Cummins fully dressed (turbo, Alternator, PS/Vac Pump, AC compressor) is just a tad over 1270 lbs! keep this in mind for the front end (yes I have weight it).
Oil cap. 11 quarts with new filter 1989 to 2007
Easiest wiring harness to intergrate is either a 1989 to 1993 Dodge/with Cummins or one from a Grumman Chassis if you want to use a 24 Valve Cummins. The Dodge harness comes with independent (small size)controllers for the grid heaters and wait to start light.
5.9 6BT Cummins will kill any light weight transmission or rear axle in just stock mode, forget bombing it unless you have at least a Dana 60 or heavier.
Hope this helps, I have done several Cummins conversions over the years..
Kyle

Couple of quick facts....
Cummins IS NOT made by Dodge, and Cummins is wholly owned by Cummins, not ford or dodge.


Thats why ford, chevy and a few other use the same engine, just not in a pickup.

Thanks. I did all kinds of different searches, but came up with nothing.
Here is ya alil info on the different years. I have an 87 CC dually Im going to lay down and shove a 12v/5 speed. Going to be a lil play truck.
http://dodgeram.org/support_pgs/diesel_ix.htm

has anyone who has done this conversion figured out how to make the cruise control work? can I use a cruise control off of a gas truck and will the ecm control it?

has anyone who has done this conversion figured out how to make the cruise control work? can I use a cruise control off of a gas truck and will the ecm control it?

Yours would be very simple, since you have the NV4500. You basically do the same as if you were converting the 6.5 to mechanical injection, then drop in a mechanical Cummins in place of a DB-2.

Thanks. I did all kinds of different searches, but came up with nothing.

Can you make it fit with a cowl induction hood?

nice conversion i want to do the same thing one day but to a cclb obs chevy with 5 ton rocks

any updates on the truck?

:) No hard feelings here.

Look - Just saying, you (or I) can have trouble with ANY engine. If you believe that the Dodge motor will run forever - Go For It... The main thing is that YOU are having FUN with what you're doing.

I still think that it's :offtopic: on this (the 6.5) forum. Maybe there's a *Lets See What We Can Do To A Great Truck* forum. But I thought this one was dedicated to the GM Diesels? Personally I prefer SBCs over the Diesel, I really understand the SBC, but that's not what we're here for. Not gassers, and not Diesels, but 6.5 Diesels. That, friends, is my point.

Jealous? Both of my cars are Mercs. My bike is HD. I've owned a couple of everyone's trucks and I just way prefer GM's trucks. I've always done my own wrenching and find GM engines way easier to keep running and cheaper to fix when something breaks. As an added bonus they're surrounded by a great truck.

One other thing... If you can't keep a 6.5 running, just wait till the Dodge Diesel stops.;) Oooops - Sorry, I forgot - They run forever :muahaha:

Live & Learn


not to start anything here BUT the cummins is not a dodge motor it is a Cummins and made by cummins and they are sold to dodge, dodge does not produce these motors

very nice build I must say.. Im looking into doing a cummins swap into my 88gmc 2wd that has a 454 in it do you know or anybody else for that fact know if the fire walls are different from the diesel cabs to the gas pot cabs

I had owned GM trucks my entire adult life, my first was a GMC gasser that I drove off the lot new in 87'. Since I worked on Cummins engines in the service I wanted to do a swap into my old truck. I could not find a donor so I bought a Dodge after I sold my second 6.5 this summer.

Now nobody get their panties in a wad because this is my observation only, but, it has been my observation over the last few months that my current truck will out haul, out tow, and just plain run harder than my last heavily modded 6.5. I also don't think that there are very may 6.5 owners in the 1 million mile owners club.

One thing to consider is that brand loyalty becomes blurred talking about a truck. The transfer in my Dodge is a New Process, yes the same company that built the transfer in my old 6.5. The Dodge has Dana axels, and granted the 6.5 had a corporate 14 bolt but Dana's are found in all of the big three trucks. The standard transmissions in the GM's were NV4500 yes also found in a Dodge. As most of you know Detroit made the 6.5, Isuzu makes the D-Max, Cummins were fit into the Dodge, and until the 2011 model year International made the PSD, nobody made their diesels in house.

So I suppose my point in this rant is that beyond the body, seats, dash and the badge it wears it was made by somebody that made one piece that shipped to GM, and made the next that shipped to someone else. I don't know if I would bash on the guy for doing a repower. Again just my opinion...

For the haters that want to keep up their 6.5's heres some tips.

1. Truck won't start, randomely cuts off- replace PMD' w/ heath's kit
2. Truck overheats when towing- clean radiator, put on some more heath products
3. Have done every mod possible to my truck and it is still is a big pile of poo- replace w/ cummins report it here.


HAHAHAHA Thats exactly where I am at with my truck, after 2 years of putting parts in it I have done everything possible and I just last week bought the last part I will need....... a 24 valve cummins out of a 2000 with only 87,000 miles!! Let the swap begin:D Cperry I might be hitting you up soon for some advice;)

Cperry was the throttle a problem at all? Since the gas pedal is drive by wire and not cable driven? I am sending you a PM with a bunch more questions I have about my swap.... Thanks in advance.

Nice Swap! Out with old in with the Improved!...For all the 6.5 haters...GET A CLUE!...1 Cummins will outlast 4x 6.5L...think about it why would a guy waste his time and money on an inferior product...when with a simple conversion he has reliability, peace of mind, and access to hundreds of cheap parts if he desires.

:exactly: If you want to be like everyone else :)

The Cummins stops when it is out of fuel - that usually means the problem is between the seat and the steering wheel.

It's not really fair to compare the Cummins engine to the 6.2/6.5 - one is an industrial, medium duty powerhouse, the other one is the lightweight, light duty engine. It's just fact - even if you don't like it. You wouldn't compare a 6.2/6.5 to a Duramax - and the Duramax is the only competition the Cummins has.

For those contemplating 24v swaps - are you aware of the "53 block" issues? I'm not sure why you'd pick the "emissions motor" over the 12v. All of those extra valves just means you have more valves to adjust - these engines aren't revved high enough to get much airflow advantage out of all of those extra valves. You get a little more power when it is left stock, but a bombed 12v is a monster.

And I thought this site was for grown ups to ask questions and get serious questions.


Dude, nice truck, but your sig says 03 HD front end. Its clearly an 01-02 Chevy HD front clip.

A Cummins in a Chevy is awesome, my buddy is in the process of converting an 88 crew cab into crew cab 4x4 short bed with a 91-92 12V in it, gonna be an awesome ride. He just stripped a 91 Suburban for the interior and trim, I can't wait to ride in it when its done. Best of both worlds IMO. I love the OBS Chevy trucks!

haven't been on here in a while so here is a report. 6k miles everyone loaded. :D need i say more. I have not had one single issue the truck is amazing for what i have in it.

someone asked about cruise control, mine works im runnign the dodge computer with the dodge vacuum electric throttle cable cruis control wired through facotory switch and dodge computer.

got my A/C hooked up before summer came. i am running a single 5 rib serpentine belt. the chevy alt, and ac compressor are on a single rotating bracket to tension the belt. ill try to snag a pic of it and get it up here.

throttle cable is from a chevy gas truck. i got the pedal and the cable form around the same year truck, pretty much a perfect length

What year truck is the dodge computer from?

What year truck is the dodge computer from?

The 24v came out in the middle of 98. Which I believe had a computer. Guess thats whatcha is asking? Here (http://dodgeram.org/support_pgs/diesel_ix.htm) is a lil info on the different 5.9s.

Ya I was just curious what year he used cause the 12 valve he used wouldn't need a computer.

cperry did you use the original nv4500 with the low first gear ratio? Also did you just change the input shaft and bell housing and just run a dodge clutch?
i bought a trans out of a 94 and people told me that the cummins would not like the low first gear but i want it for 4 wheeling.
Thanks
Ryan

The Cummins Dodges come from the factory with a granny low. Whoever told you they "dont like" low first gears needs to refrain from having an opinion about that from now on;)

I used my chevy NV4500 swapped in dodge input and input retainer plate, used dodge clutch and belhousing. low gear is not to low, actually nice when moving a load, unloaded you start in second.


I used a 94 computer, you don't need the computer to make it run but you need it for the dash lights and to run the cruise control

cperry when you say you needed the computer to run the dash lights are you talking about the check engine and other warning lights?

Thanks
Ryan

How about a 550 CAT? :D


well not a 550 but a cat engine has been put into a regular pickup more than once :p:

well not a 550 but a cat engine has been put into a regular pickup more than once :p:

A 550 at a idle would probably trist up the drive shaft like a pretzle. What is the smallest engine cat made? Wasnt the 3500HD trucks made for a cat?

I think Cat makes a C7, around 7 something litres. A 550 would just demolish the truck when it cranked over, never mind actually engaged the clutch. I think they weigh between 3-3500lb and have something stupid like 2050ft lbs or something. I used to a do a co-op in high school at the kenworth dealer, and seeing how much those trucks shake starting up, I can only imagine it would just collapse a 1 ton lol.

I think Cat makes a C7, around 7 something litres. A 550 would just demolish the truck when it cranked over, never mind actually engaged the clutch. I think they weigh between 3-3500lb and have something stupid like 2050ft lbs or something. I used to a do a co-op in high school at the kenworth dealer, and seeing how much those trucks shake starting up, I can only imagine it would just collapse a 1 ton lol.

Seems like Ive seen a 7.5L cat or something like that. All the new small cat engines are just a mazda.

I think a cat in a pickup would be kickass, it would need to be built up pretty good.

Really? Under what size is built by mazda?

Really? Under what size is built by mazda?

Last I heard cat bought mazda and stopped making all cat engines. All cat engines now are mazdas. That why small tractor like taskmaster have cat engines.

Cperry did you ever snap a pic of where you put your A/C compressor?

I am finishing up with a 92 and I will have to get some pics on here. I am using a cummins bracket for a/c(from a ford) and a gm alternator with dodge pulley Looks like it is going to work really nice. Your truck ought to be really quite with the sound damper where did you buy the padding? It looks really nice!!!!!!

cperry what did you do with your transfer case? Were you able to keep the factory GM speed and abs sensors in the back of the transfer case?