JESTER38
02-05-2010, 02:12 AM
Hey, thought some of you guys would be interested in a truck in progress. I bought a 1987 chevy suburban with a 454 and turbo 400 automatic transmisson with lots of options in GREAT shape for $200. Which was a steal. I pulled the 454 and tranny to sell. I sold it for
$450 so so far I had MADE 250 dollars. Then I bought a 1989 Dodge truck that had been pretty beat up, but all I was interested in was the powerplant...a 5.9 12 valve cummins turbo diesel and GETRAG 5 speed transmission. I drove the truck, and the engine and tranny worked great. The motor had only 127,000+ miles on it which is break in for these things. I bought the truck for 1300 dollars. I am currently in the process of installing the diesel and tranny and was surprised to find that it is taking alot less work than anticipated to get it in. Although installing a clutch pedal may be a hassle. I vut a whole in the floor for the shifter to go through which was no big deal at all. I used the original motor mounts from the cummins and simply mated them to the brackets on the burb. the transmission crossmember under the truck just needs a new whole drilled to accept the new position which is slightly more forward. the drive shaft looks like it wont even need modified to mate up either. less work and money. the front fan on the cummins will be removed to have more room for the fornt clip to go back on and Ill be running the chevy radiator with electric fans to keep it cool.
The name of the game for this truck was to make a mileage machine at little cost and work. so far it has gone great. I have jsut over a thousand in the conversion and dont expect it to go over that mark. instead of 10 miles to gallon for the 454 gasser I expect a very humble 20 MPG. other plans for the truck include a dually which will use chevy truck dually fenders. and a paintjob. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a truck that can tow, move people and get good mileage all while taking very little money and time. pictures will go up when done which should be soon if all goes to plan. but I am also a 17 year old high school senior focusing on school so dont hold your breath please. :P Ill answer any questions you throw at me. see ya!
$450 so so far I had MADE 250 dollars. Then I bought a 1989 Dodge truck that had been pretty beat up, but all I was interested in was the powerplant...a 5.9 12 valve cummins turbo diesel and GETRAG 5 speed transmission. I drove the truck, and the engine and tranny worked great. The motor had only 127,000+ miles on it which is break in for these things. I bought the truck for 1300 dollars. I am currently in the process of installing the diesel and tranny and was surprised to find that it is taking alot less work than anticipated to get it in. Although installing a clutch pedal may be a hassle. I vut a whole in the floor for the shifter to go through which was no big deal at all. I used the original motor mounts from the cummins and simply mated them to the brackets on the burb. the transmission crossmember under the truck just needs a new whole drilled to accept the new position which is slightly more forward. the drive shaft looks like it wont even need modified to mate up either. less work and money. the front fan on the cummins will be removed to have more room for the fornt clip to go back on and Ill be running the chevy radiator with electric fans to keep it cool.
The name of the game for this truck was to make a mileage machine at little cost and work. so far it has gone great. I have jsut over a thousand in the conversion and dont expect it to go over that mark. instead of 10 miles to gallon for the 454 gasser I expect a very humble 20 MPG. other plans for the truck include a dually which will use chevy truck dually fenders. and a paintjob. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a truck that can tow, move people and get good mileage all while taking very little money and time. pictures will go up when done which should be soon if all goes to plan. but I am also a 17 year old high school senior focusing on school so dont hold your breath please. :P Ill answer any questions you throw at me. see ya!