Swapping a 69 Chevy body onto a 97 Cummings chassis

[steveperry]

So I've had a 69 k20 for about ten years and finally got the pieces together to do a Cummins swap... I've scowered the site for some having done this but I'm just seeing people putting the cummins in the Chevy chassis. Has anyone done what I'm talking about? The problem I'm seeing right off hand is the intercooler is going to be too far forward for the fender to fit right. Any help? Here's the trucks I've got to work with

[steveperry]

Don't know how to upload more than one photo, it keeps deleting the second one so here it is

[usetheBFH]

It's a tough fit. I did the 12-Valve into a C10 option. You could, being that the Dodge is a '97, get the Non-Intercooler Piping from a '93-Down 6BT and not run an intercooler. That'll let you gain ~3-4 Inches. Also trash the Mechanical fan for a thin Electric one. Tha's good for 2-Inches.

[steveperry]

How does that work for not having an inner Cooler? That make the diesel run hotter? I'm new to diesels.

[usetheBFH]

Depends on how you build and what you're going to do with the engine. The Purpose of an intercooler is to Cool the air coming off the turbo and ultimately keep you EGT's in check. Now this is an extreme case but this guy is ~1,200 HP without an intercooler. http://www.trucktrend.com/cool-truck...s-race-engine/It very much depends on the function of the truck. If your going to do mild tuning and run it down the road you'll be fine without an intercooler. Just get a Pyro Gauge and keep it off the ~1200-1400F for any kind of duration or you'll melt stuff. I have an interccooler on mine and i can hardly get it past 1000F if i BEAT on it.

[usetheBFH]

Commercial Vehicles and Construction Equipment, Like CASE Equipment, Use Non-Intercooled 12-Valve p-pump engines. That's where you get the parts from.

[Bigdav160]

I don't think you can make the Dodge core support work anyway. There are examples in the diesel swap section with the dodge intercooler upside down on the GM core support

[steveperry]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

I don't think you can make the Dodge core support work anyway. There are examples in the diesel swap section with the dodge intercooler upside down on the GM core support

Do you happen to have a link?

[Bigdav160]

It is not on a Dodge chassis but might give you some ideas.

Cummins Suburban

edit, I'm sorry that truck is using a Bank intercooler. I'm sure I've seen others with an OE cooler.

[steveperry]

im gonna try and stick with the dodge chassis and put electric fans in it... Hopefully that will give me the length I need for the fenders.

[XwalkerX]

i just saw this and thought of this thread.

the owner is 72 Tigger








saw it in this thread

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...91687&page=152

[68Stepper]

**Cummins**

[72 tigger]

I used the complete 2002 Dodge chassis (shorten the WB by 12 inches). The innercooler & radiator are tight- only about 1/2" clearance between the rad & fan. Built it in 2003 & has been my DD ever since.

[71blksuper4x4]

Z's custom rods built this 69-70 blazer on a shortened Cummins chassis. I believe you can find build pics of it on their Facebook page.

[kellyed]

Hey 72 tigger, you have the build for your truck on here? That's exactly what I'm looking to do!!

[72 tigger]

No, I didn't do a build thread- I didn't even take many pics- sorry. I can try to answer any questions

[garmar]

Wow! Glad to see the KDP didn't trash your motor. Interesting build.

[steveperry]

Not much in the way of progress tonight, have to work on the truck after the kids go to bed but I got the wiring harness stripped off the motor and the brake assembly removed.

[steveperry]

And I've got a question. Does anyone know what this little box does? It's got what look to be vacuum lines coming off of it, can't figure it out. Doesn't help that the guy that I bought the truck from had a bunch of it disassembled before I got it...

[II_Slow]

Yeah lots of pictures on the internet of crashed gears and ruined engines from the KDP. Mine was still secure put I installed the kit for a little piece of mind.
Nice build by the way. Looks like a better fit than in my '55.

That 6BT is actually a sexy beast cleaned up and painted. After seeing mine you may decide to detail yours out a little...... Not sure how long it will look good in "real life" after a lot of miles but looks good in the shop.

I also put a turbo and manifold blanket on mine and wrapped the down pipe. I kept the PCM and is is very near the turbo so I was concerned with cooking it.

[kellyed]

That sure does look good! I'll clean mine up when I take it all apart and do the engine work. End state is a compound setup with head studs and new injectors. That's a ways down the road though. Was wondering if anyone had the same problems I'm having with the electrical....I had the headlights working and they all of a sudden stopped. No blown fuses and the relay in the pcm seems to be working as well. I also have no wipers. I modified the dodge motor to fit in the Chevy and hooked it up but it won't turn on. I've shot wires and the multi function switch(wiper switch) has continuity, but no matter the position of the wiper switch I get nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[steveperry]

---don't know why that posted as Kellyed, must have logged me in under a different username for some reason. Guess I've got two accounts here! Anyway---


That sure does look good! I'll clean mine up when I take it all apart and do the engine work. End state is a compound setup with head studs and new injectors. That's a ways down the road though. Was wondering if anyone had the same problems I'm having with the electrical....I had the headlights working and they all of a sudden stopped. No blown fuses and the relay in the pcm seems to be working as well. I also have no wipers. I modified the dodge motor to fit in the Chevy and hooked it up but it won't turn on. I've shot wires and the multi function switch(wiper switch) has continuity, but no matter the position of the wiper switch I get nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[rkn463]

Originally Posted by kellyed

That sure does look good! I'll clean mine up when I take it all apart and do the engine work. End state is a compound setup with head studs and new injectors. That's a ways down the road though. Was wondering if anyone had the same problems I'm having with the electrical....I had the headlights working and they all of a sudden stopped. No blown fuses and the relay in the pcm seems to be working as well. I also have no wipers. I modified the dodge motor to fit in the Chevy and hooked it up but it won't turn on. I've shot wires and the multi function switch(wiper switch) has continuity, but no matter the position of the wiper switch I get nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm pretty sure these tricks have a fusible link up near the battery, that would be the first thing to check.

Looking good!

-Richard

[Maxxd07]

That valve is for an exhaust brake. Looking at your first picture it looks like there is an air cylinder by your turbo and that would close a flap in the exhaust to slow the engine down during deceleration. I bet there is also a switch on the fuel pump that will only allow power through when the throttle lever is at idle.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice project you have going on here. I would try to install the intercooler now rather than not using it. If you plan to keep the engine near stock HP levels and don't plan to tow, than you can get away without one. If not, plan to install one. You have the dodge fan, why not use it? It's more reliable than an electric fan.