diesel conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fast69 · 04-17-2007, 06:32 PM

Could anybody tell me what is involved with putting a cummins in a 69 1/2 ton longbed. I would really appritiate any help you guys can give. Thanks in advance.

Bus Ted Knuckle · 04-17-2007, 06:43 PM

Well, a lot of fabrication and problem solving, but it could and has been done. Have you searched the here for cummins cnversion yet? If not that is where I would look first. After that google the web and see what you find.

Now a 6.2 conversion could be a relatively easy swap but you would not have the "bling" of a Cummins convert. I have been kicking this idea around especially since you can pick a good one up for MUCH cheaper than a Cummins, but with the price of diesel these days, you would have to drive a bunch to make up the cost.

Tx Firefighter · 04-17-2007, 07:49 PM

A 6bt Cummins weighs 1100 pounds, so suspension will certainly need to be addressed.

A 4bt would be the best choice. It's basicaly a 4 cylinder version of the Cummins used in Dodge pickups.

TP from Cntl PA · 04-17-2007, 07:56 PM

I agree............A tweaked 4BT would be the ticket for your truck.

I got a 6AT in my 3/4 ton............It is a tad lighter than a 6BT at 950 lbs, but it definitely squats the stock 3/4 ton front end with HD springs.

IMO, their isn't nothing better than a Cummins in one of these. Mine will be going under the knife again to finally ready it for paint, and then I can drive it and look good, right now it looks like crap, but does she run!

fast69 · 04-17-2007, 08:01 PM

Thanks for the help. I am a little diesel illiterate so bear with me. What kind of power can i expect and what were these motors in. Thanks again you guys are great.

Tx Firefighter · 04-17-2007, 08:14 PM

Don't even worry about horsepower. It's the torque that makes them great. I have a 6bt in my Dodge truck that's right at 1000 ft/lb of torque. Nothing like it. I have real basic mods like injectors, pump and turbo tweaks.

fast69 · 04-17-2007, 08:28 PM

what were these motors in. Thanks again.

bandit1 · 04-17-2007, 09:12 PM

89 and newer dodge 3/4 and tons

Jared

fast69 · 04-17-2007, 09:30 PM

what about the 4bt. What were thay in. thanks

Tx Firefighter · 04-17-2007, 09:34 PM

GM step vans like FritoLay and Mrs. Bairds delivery trucks. This is the way to go as they already are coupled to a Turbo 400 trans.

fast69 · 04-17-2007, 09:39 PM

Are these also a turbo or a strait diesel. Thanks again for all your help. Its nice to have such knowlegable people to bounce ideas off of.

HugrOrang71 · 04-17-2007, 10:20 PM

Yes, they are turbo.

Jason

O'l Buck · 04-17-2007, 11:05 PM

I'm thinkin' Duramax!!

TP from Cntl PA · 04-18-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O'l Buck

I'm thinkin' Duramax!!

ROTFLMAO, That is a pretty good joke

A 4BT can be turned up a pretty good amount before things start to fail. Know alot of guys running them in log skidders and other equipment turned way up. About the only bad part about the 4BT IMO is they are pretty noisy and vibrate a bunch. One of the reasons I went with the 6AT, even though it really isn't any better of a engine than the 4BT, its just silky smooth when it runs.

**special-K** · 04-18-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O'l Buck

I'm thinkin' Duramax!!

I`m thinking I could pump alot of gasoline through a big block with what a Dmax conversion would cost.

HugrOrang71 · 04-18-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I`m thinking I could buy pump alot of gasoline through a big block with what a Dmax conversion would cost.

The Duramax will never have the reliability and longevity of a mechanical Cummins. They are easy to modify for power and are capable of equal, if not better power and torque numbers than the late model electronic engines.

Jason

Ole Blue 68 · 04-18-2007, 12:13 PM

Put some stacks on it if you do the conversion!

http://www.parleysdieselperformance....69/page/845090

Check out the video

WLPTMP · 04-18-2007, 12:29 PM

i will have a used duramax soon not sure what to do with it though i have my eye on a 69 panel 2wd i think would be cool

Dano69c10 · 04-18-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Blue 68

Put some stacks on it if you do the conversion!

http://www.parleysdieselperformance....69/page/845090

Check out the video

I would like to drive that rig down in the OC and shock some of those folk!
Dano

Ole Blue 68 · 04-18-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dano69c10

I would like to drive that rig down in the OC and shock some of those folk!
Dano

Make sure you get it on video if you do, that would be classic!

fast69 · 04-18-2007, 04:18 PM

I really appritiate all of your help. My only concern about the 4bt is will the th400 hold up after turning it up. Thanks again for all your help.

TP from Cntl PA · 04-19-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast69

I really appritiate all of your help. My only concern about the 4bt is will the th400 hold up after turning it up. Thanks again for all your help.

Honestly, I've been told by more than a few that a TH-400 won't hold up behind a stock one, let alone one turned up. I have a GM clutch and bell housing adapter in mine, and she's tore up everything from the flywheel back atleast once. I plan on bolting in a HD ZF-6spd, which has a oil pump/cooler setup when I tear it down again.

fast69 · 04-19-2007, 04:35 PM

Thanks TP, I was actually thinking of useing a 5 or 6 sped from a Dodge. I just need to see how hard it will be to do. I would love to see some pics of your ride to see what I am in for. Thanks again for all your help.

BarryB · 04-19-2007, 06:10 PM

Hey you would need to still be careful if you put in a 5 spd. They aren't built very strong either.but they can be made strong. I have been told the 6 spds are more up to the challenge. The key here would be to get a good clutch.

**special-K** · 04-19-2007, 11:27 PM

As far as suspension goes...Does an`89-up Dodge 2wd really have a beefier suspension than these trucks?

04-17-2007, 06:32 PM	#1
fast69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 46	diesel conversion Could anybody tell me what is involved with putting a cummins in a 69 1/2 ton longbed. I would really appritiate any help you guys can give. Thanks in advance.

04-17-2007, 06:43 PM	#2
Bus Ted Knuckle Son of a gun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,636	Re: diesel conversion Well, a lot of fabrication and problem solving, but it could and has been done. Have you searched the here for cummins cnversion yet? If not that is where I would look first. After that google the web and see what you find. Now a 6.2 conversion could be a relatively easy swap but you would not have the "bling" of a Cummins convert. I have been kicking this idea around especially since you can pick a good one up for MUCH cheaper than a Cummins, but with the price of diesel these days, you would have to drive a bunch to make up the cost. __________________ Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER

04-17-2007, 07:49 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: diesel conversion A 6bt Cummins weighs 1100 pounds, so suspension will certainly need to be addressed. A 4bt would be the best choice. It's basicaly a 4 cylinder version of the Cummins used in Dodge pickups. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 04-17-2007 at 07:50 PM.

04-17-2007, 07:56 PM	#4
TP from Cntl PA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central PA....In the Berg of Nisbet Posts: 790	Re: diesel conversion I agree............A tweaked 4BT would be the ticket for your truck. I got a 6AT in my 3/4 ton............It is a tad lighter than a 6BT at 950 lbs, but it definitely squats the stock 3/4 ton front end with HD springs. IMO, their isn't nothing better than a Cummins in one of these. Mine will be going under the knife again to finally ready it for paint, and then I can drive it and look good, right now it looks like crap, but does she run! __________________ '72 K-20 EFI'ed 250 Inline/4spd stake body, Farm Truck '71 C-20 Cummins Diesel Powered, In storage thanks to $5.00 diesel! '69 3500 GMC 305V-6/4spd, Still under reconstruction.......... Inlines Rule! 6 soldiers standing is better than 8 laying down!!!!!!!!

04-17-2007, 08:01 PM	#5
fast69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 46	Re: diesel conversion Thanks for the help. I am a little diesel illiterate so bear with me. What kind of power can i expect and what were these motors in. Thanks again you guys are great.

04-17-2007, 08:14 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: diesel conversion Don't even worry about horsepower. It's the torque that makes them great. I have a 6bt in my Dodge truck that's right at 1000 ft/lb of torque. Nothing like it. I have real basic mods like injectors, pump and turbo tweaks. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-17-2007, 08:28 PM	#7
fast69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 46	Re: diesel conversion what were these motors in. Thanks again.

04-17-2007, 09:12 PM	#8
bandit1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Victoria B.C Posts: 35	Re: diesel conversion 89 and newer dodge 3/4 and tons Jared __________________ 1969 GMC 910 1970 GMC 1500 custom 1972 yamaha 175 "Money is just like trucks you can never have enough"

04-17-2007, 09:30 PM	#9
fast69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 46	Re: diesel conversion what about the 4bt. What were thay in. thanks

04-17-2007, 09:34 PM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: diesel conversion GM step vans like FritoLay and Mrs. Bairds delivery trucks. This is the way to go as they already are coupled to a Turbo 400 trans. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-17-2007, 09:39 PM	#11
fast69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 46	Re: diesel conversion Are these also a turbo or a strait diesel. Thanks again for all your help. Its nice to have such knowlegable people to bounce ideas off of.

04-17-2007, 10:20 PM	#12
HugrOrang71 Bite me, import boy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Eagle Point, Oregon Posts: 102	Re: diesel conversion Yes, they are turbo. Jason __________________ Jason '71 C-10 Deluxe-under construction '69 C20, 396,T400-donor truck, '65 C10 project "Facts are meaningless, You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true."

04-17-2007, 11:05 PM	#13
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	Re: diesel conversion I'm thinkin' Duramax!! __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

04-18-2007, 12:13 PM	#17
Ole Blue 68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 1,140	Re: diesel conversion Put some stacks on it if you do the conversion! http://www.parleysdieselperformance....69/page/845090 Check out the video Last edited by Ole Blue 68; 04-18-2007 at 12:15 PM.

04-18-2007, 12:29 PM	#18
WLPTMP Active Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Hudson NY Posts: 221	Re: diesel conversion i will have a used duramax soon not sure what to do with it though i have my eye on a 69 panel 2wd i think would be cool



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04-18-2007, 04:18 PM	#21
fast69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 46	Re: diesel conversion I really appritiate all of your help. My only concern about the 4bt is will the th400 hold up after turning it up. Thanks again for all your help.

04-19-2007, 04:35 PM	#23
fast69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 46	Re: diesel conversion Thanks TP, I was actually thinking of useing a 5 or 6 sped from a Dodge. I just need to see how hard it will be to do. I would love to see some pics of your ride to see what I am in for. Thanks again for all your help.

04-19-2007, 06:10 PM	#24
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: diesel conversion Hey you would need to still be careful if you put in a 5 spd. They aren't built very strong either.but they can be made strong. I have been told the 6 spds are more up to the challenge. The key here would be to get a good clutch.

04-19-2007, 11:27 PM	#25
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: diesel conversion As far as suspension goes...Does an`89-up Dodge 2wd really have a beefier suspension than these trucks? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

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