4BT Cummins 4L85 Long to Short

[GRADYS Performance]

Very nice project with well thought out work and details.

[hick]

I just realized that I will never amount to any thing in life after looking threw this... Cause this is my dream build.

Its disappointing to hear about your mileage. I would have expected more.

Does the insulation help quite a bit? I enojy the knock of a cummins as much as the next guy, but I enjoy a stereo that doesnt need to be cranked all the time as well

[bowfaber]

I was extremely disappointed with the mileage. I was hoping for nothing less than 25 mpg. The first few tanks was 18-19 mpg. I trimmed the shift points, lowered the TC lock up, and didn't drive it like I was 16 and got 23.4 mpg. I built it to be a nice driver with good mileage. It has good road manners but wish it was north of 25 mpg. I will put a taller tire on the rear and let you know what happens.
Without all of the dynamat I couldn't drive it without earplugs. Drove with Ma'Lady on it's maiden voyage to a drive in movie. We both wanted to throw up after the trip because of the noise and vibration. That's not a problem now. My main problem now is the wind noise coming through the windows and doors. I hear some engine noise but it's fine. I hear the turbo whistle a lot more.

[sodly]

Just curious.... what did you do with your original wheels/tires?

[bowfaber]

Originally Posted by sodly

Just curious.... what did you do with your original wheels/tires?

Still holding up the long frame.
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[bowfaber]

Originally Posted by bowfaber

Still holding up the long frame.
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[BigBlockBurris]

AWESOME build, and thank you for sharing!

Two questions.
1-Where did you get your motor mount rubbers? I know you fabricated the metal part, but what about the rubber isolators?

2-What exhaust is that?

Thanks!

BBB

[bowfaber]

Rubber isolators came from the step van. They were the factory mounts. I did some research on this topic and found these isolators were one of the best ones to use because they dampen the vibration good, and I already had them- bonus!
Intercooler tubing came from Frozen Boost. I went to JEGS and got some 3 inch stainless 90, 45, 30, 180 bend (Tip- buy 180s, you can cut them in half to give you two 90s for less money.) Started cutting and fitting the pieces until it was how I wanted it. Welded them up and ground off the welds to make it appear seamless. 4 1/2 inch wire wheel finish. The turbo down pipe required a tight radius 90 which I got off Amazon. I cut the v band off the factory down pipe and welded it to my new stainless piece.

[Luther Grimace]

Wow this is a great thread! Very impressive. I may have missed it but did you address what you are doing for a controller for the 4L85E? Also did you TIG weld all your hot and cold side piping? It looks great.

Also I can't believe this truck doesn't get closer to 30 mpg. My 4x4 6BT will get 20-22 mpg on highway trips. What is your cruising rpm with the 3:08 gears? And is your lockup working in the trans?

[bowfaber]

[QUOTE=Luther Grimace;7190378]Wow this is a great thread! Very impressive. I may have missed it but did you address what you are doing for a controller for the 4L85E? Also did you TIG weld all your hot and cold side piping? It looks great.

Also I can't believe this truck doesn't get closer to 30 mpg. My 4x4 6BT will get 20-22 mpg on highway trips. What is your cruising rpm with the 3:08 gears? And is your lockup working in the trans?

Every weld on the project was tig welded with a miller dynasty 200dx except for the box, rust repair, trailer hitch, and air bag mounts.They were welded with a miller 350p and miller 141.
Trans controller is a simple shift. It came with adapter plate from PATC.
The TC lockup is engaging. It likes 55-60 mph. At 60 it's running anywhere between 1640-1820 rpm depending on the incline.
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[68Gold/white]

Look'n Good!!!

[bowfaber]

truck

[deejaaa1]

i'm only on page 2 but want to respond before i lose my thought.
your fab skills are top notch. love the redneck dent puller.
have you used the Tite seal over any long periods? does it hold up to weather? i've used some in the past but it seemed to be no more than a rubberized spray that washed off when it rained.

[deejaaa1]

Originally Posted by deejaaa1

i'm only on page 2 but want to respond before i lose my thought.
your fab skills are top notch. love the redneck dent puller.
have you used the Tite seal over any long periods? does it hold up to weather? i've used some in the past but it seemed to be no more than a rubberized spray that washed off when it rained.

edit: finished the thread. awesome build. GLWS.

[bowfaber]

The Titeseal works great in the cab, and good under the truck. It seems to hold up better when it's painted. If it sees a lot of sunlight it gets weak and will come off easy. I drive a lot of gravel roads so it gets some good abuse. One place on the rear cab support gets a lot of rocks thrown at it and the product is gone. My next build I will try a rhino bed liner on the underside, if it's visible under the hood (like my firewall) it will have Titeseal with paint. I like how it lays down, looks better painted, and it's not too rough looking.

[deejaaa1]

Originally Posted by bowfaber

The Titeseal works great in the cab, and good under the truck. It seems to hold up better when it's painted. If it sees a lot of sunlight it gets weak and will come off easy. I drive a lot of gravel roads so it gets some good abuse. One place on the rear cab support gets a lot of rocks thrown at it and the product is gone. My next build I will try a rhino bed liner on the underside, if it's visible under the hood (like my firewall) it will have Titeseal with paint. I like how it lays down, looks better painted, and it's not too rough looking.

thanks for the info.

[Heavy Evy]

Wow all I can say is rad!

[Luther Grimace]

If you don't mind me being nosey what is taking its place to go fast!
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[bowfaber]

duramax I believe

[Luther Grimace]

Doing the same thing myself. Have you found a donor truck yet?
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[bowfaber]

I got married a month ago and the truck was the star of the show, 2nd place to my wife I mean...

[bowfaber]

My best man needed it a couple weeks later...

[Nitis]

never ceases to amaze me at the skills and talent that some of you have I can dream up lots of stuff but could never act on it as you did.

I have dreamt of a similar build for close to 20 years now only difference is I would do a manual trans as I just have never cared for diesels with automatics

I am rather surprised at your mileage as well definitely throw a taller tire on there and stink bug it a little that should help

well played sir

[bowfaber]

Off to Minnesota

[bowfaber]

Didn't care for the 4bt, so I shoved an LBZ Duramax and built Allison 6 spd into the ol girl.