Which Cummins to put into my truck?

[gmech]

I am seriously thinking of putting a Cummins into my 79 1 ton 2wd CCSWB project. I definatly want an automatic trans with overdrive. What I would like is input on what you all like and any other helpful info. Id like to keep away from all the electronics if I can. Plan to use the truck for everyday driving and towing.

[v30crewcab]

94-98 is best for power, they have the p-pump. 89-93 has the ve which gets 1-2 mpg better supposedly.
for auto you'll want a 94-95 47RH. only electrical on it is a 12v switch for overdrive and lockup, which you can control with two switches, or use pressure switches on the trans to do it automatically.

[gmech]

Are the 89-93 and the 94-98 the same except for the pumps?

[86c20]

i think that the cummins wiring is the ezest out there. if you can get a motor with the ecm that is a runner on stand you will see it is only i few wires that you need to run. i am thinking about runnning a commin rail in my 85 k30. just for something diff

[yousesteers]

I am running a 96 p-pump in my 84 only wire you have to have is to the starter. I ran a fuel shutoff relay to operate the electric solenoid but fuel shutoff can be controlled by a cable. I run a 5 speed trans so am no help there.

[1774btcrew]

I say 4bt but I guess I am just partial to them since that is what I have in my truck. Not as easy to come by as the 5.9 but quite a bit lighter and fits in the engine bays nice. We have done both 5.9 and 4bts conversions. My 2wd CCSB seems pretty well balanced as far as weight goes to and it rides really nice.

[mikev]

Is that converted to 1/2 ton as well??

[andrewmp6]

A 4bt will be better as a driver and can handle most smaller loads like a 1/2 ton could pull.If your gonna use it as a 1ton i would get a 12 valve then.On the trans a dodge one will be easier but you might have to mess with the trans crossmember and have a driveshaft made.The pricey way with a auto is a adapter kit and run a 4l80 with a controler.You can get the motor mounts from http://www.tndieselpower.com/site/products-page/ or http://www.autoworldmt.com/Page_11.html has a lot of nice stuff.

[63chevyll]

Ive had a hard time looking for a Cummins lately. Not many out there.

Are you having any luck finding in your area?
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[1774btcrew]

Originally Posted by mikev

Is that converted to 1/2 ton as well??

We did convert it to a half ton which was the easiest part of the build. I am running a compushift controller for the 4l80e and love it. You can program it for almost anything
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[gmech]

Is the 4l80e a better trans than the 47rh?

I only know of 1 right now for sale. I beleive its an 94 with an auto trans and transfer case for $1200. Its suppose to have 87,000 miles on it. Something is wrong with the trans though.

Thanks for the input.

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by gmech

I am seriously thinking of putting a Cummins into my 79 1 ton 2wd CCSWB project. I definatly want an automatic trans with overdrive. What I would like is input on what you all like and any other helpful info. Id like to keep away from all the electronics if I can. Plan to use the truck for everyday driving and towing.

The 88-93 Cummins have VE injector pumps. They are good for about 450 hp. The biggest advantage of this model engine is they're quieter and get slightly better fuel economy. The Cummins under the hood of my 1990 Suburban hardly makes any more noise inside the cab than the anemic 350 that was ripped out. Another advantage is these engine usually go for about $1k less.

The 94-98.5 Cummins have P-pumps on them. The pump can supply enough fuel for roughly 1000 hp. The huge power potential is the big advantage with these engines. It can make enough power to rip apart the rest of the drive train in no time.

Originally Posted by gmech

Is the 4l80e a better trans than the 47rh?

I only know of 1 right now for sale. I beleive its an 94 with an auto trans and transfer case for $1200. Its suppose to have 87,000 miles on it. Something is wrong with the trans though.

Thanks for the input.

>>Is the 4l80e a better trans than the 47rh?
Not really. A 6BT Cummins will rip it apart just as fast as the 47rh. If you have to have an automatic and want some reliability, look into having the 47rh upgraded. It'll be very expensive (around $6k) but worth it IMO.

[1774btcrew]

I have had a 4l80e behind my Cummins for 5 years with no issue's.
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[Edahall]

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

I have had a 4l80e behind my Cummins for 5 years with no issue's.
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Is the 4L80e behind the Cummins 4BT?

Nice conversion by the way. What kind of fuel economy are you getting with the 4BT?

[1774btcrew]

It is behind a 4bt . Not the fastest truck in stock form. It tops out at about 85mph but will pull any hill at 65 so it is good enough for me. I get 26 highway with 3.73 gears.
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[tucsonjwt]

Just curious - why not just by a RAM truck with a Cummins already installed?

[92GMCDriver]

everyone talking about the 12 valve p pump cummins... why not a 24 valve with the p pump conversion? would that not make more power?

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by 92GMCDriver

everyone talking about the 12 valve p pump cummins... why not a 24 valve with the p pump conversion? would that not make more power?

P-pump conversion is done on a 24 valve to make more power. You would think 24 over 12 valve would make more power however, with forced induction, there is not much advantage in terms of power with having more valves. That said, I would be careful with a 24 valve block. They are known for the blocks cracking. Do a good on "53 block crack" to find more about it.

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Just curious - why not just by a RAM truck with a Cummins already installed?

"Love the engine, hate the truck".

[gmech]

How about an Allison. I imagine it would be pretty costly.

[yousesteers]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Just curious - why not just by a RAM truck with a Cummins already installed?

Ram tuck drives terrible and it is not hard to do a conversion.

>>Is the 4l80e a better trans than the 47rh?
Not really. A 6BT Cummins will rip it apart just as fast as the 47rh. If you have to have an automatic and want some reliability, look into having the 47rh upgraded. It'll be very expensive (around $6k) but worth it IMO.
Today 09:02 AM

A guy can put an Allison 1000 behind them with a stand alone controller.

Ive had a hard time looking for a Cummins lately. Not many out there.

Are you having any luck finding in your area?

I bought a complete truck it was the easiest I had a lot of the little knick knack pieces that one does not think about until they need them I found one that the drive train was pretty decent on but the body was shot.

Right now I got about $1200 in my complete swap but I still have the Dana 70 Front and Dana 80 Rear Axle that should cover part of that expense. I parted the rest of the Dodge and crushed all that was left.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Just curious - why not just by a RAM truck with a Cummins already installed?

Cause who wants a dang dudge? I work on them all the time and they are rattle traps. Great power train and drive train, crap body!

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Edahall

P-pump conversion is done on a 24 valve to make more power. You would think 24 over 12 valve would make more power however, with forced induction, there is not much advantage in terms of power with having more valves. That said, I would be careful with a 24 valve block. They are known for the blocks cracking. Do a good on "53 block crack" to find more about it.

Not all 24v blocks are the 53 blocks. Beware that the early storm 53 blocks were also used in late 97 and early 98 12v's too. There are 2 versions of 53 blocks and I've seen plenty of 53 blocks that never cracked.

As far as the heads, yes the 24v heads flow more air in stock trim and tend to make more power on mild builds. Once you hog out a 12v head, it's hard to beat them though.

I also agree the 47rh is the auto trans to run behind these.

[nekkidhillbilly]

if i where going to spend the money on a allison 1000 and stand alone.......id just get a duramax allison combo. its not that much more wiring.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

I say 4bt but I guess I am just partial to them since that is what I have in my truck. Not as easy to come by as the 5.9 but quite a bit lighter and fits in the engine bays nice. We have done both 5.9 and 4bts conversions. My 2wd CCSB seems pretty well balanced as far as weight goes to and it rides really nice.

Pics of the engine bay, please?!?!