87 Chevy Crew Cab 4x4 Converion/Cummins swap

[MTCK]

That turned out great! Check worn spring bushings allowing the front eye to slide back and forth for the popping.

[DieselRat]

Thanks, my springs are all new. Pretty sure its a TRE (which was also new) that is popping and clanking. Just need to get under there and get greasy and retorque stuff and give her a good shakedown. Spoiled by all this interior stuff and staying cleaner than clean!

[Lawdog5956]

Did you use poly bushings or rubber on the springs/shackles?
Did you install crossover steering? I have crossover steering and it will put lateral torque on the spring hangers/shackles which could cause a noise if not properly torqued.

[lower50's]

That looks great!! I have the same popping sound in the front of my '87 Jimmy bushings need some work tho.

[DieselRat]

I never use poly, not a fan of poly bushings. But really, the springs were new less than a year ago, maybe 3k miles or so since I've been working on it more than driving it. Standard 4x4 steering, not crossover.

[Lawdog5956]

I know you have been down on the frame, be sure to check the mounting bolts for the steering box, cracks usually happen there. Also the wonderful GM thin stamped metal adjusting sleeve for the tie rod and the drag link can be a culprit because of the design and if they are bent will move. I hope you get it figured out.

[DieselRat]

Off topic to the rattles and pops got the final piece of my interior done, bezel back in and about complete finally (except for a couple USB plug in ports and things like that)

Originally got a single Din radio, but after realizing that I would have to hack up my dash and everything else I was exploring other options. Not wanting to just mount a radio 'somewhere' just to have one I figured after all the money I already spend on interior why not go with a nice radio, so I got the retrosound hermosa radio. I am extremely pleased with that decision, everything about the kit down to the boxes is top notch. I mostly listen to music through my phone anyways, and it uses blue tooth so pretty cool to not have wires running all over the place getting wrapped up in the shifter etc. Plus you can answer calls and all that fancy crap as well!





Looks sorta factory, is all digital, has USB, 2 AUX, and sub outputs on the back, also bought a USB/Aux port that will mount into the dash with a little flip cover to charge stuff, or use to play tunes. I have installed a LOT of radios, and while it wasn't hard, it was definitely involved! I picked up a scorsche (sp?) adapter for the stock harness which converted all the wires to modern color codes which simplified install greatly.

[MrTenery]

This is an awesome transformation i hope mine turns out just as well im starting from the bottom at the frame and redoing everything up ive got a list about 10k long so its gonna take sometime till i finish. Im taking an 85 C30 ext cab and turning it into a k30 cummins 5spd. I really enjoy reading well documented threads like yours and have been capturing my progress since i picked it up. keep up the great work dieselrat

[DieselRat]

Thanks glad it helped you out. I know when I first started to research it everyone just does build threads like all the info is gospel and you should already know how everything works and goes together. Very minimal info about people doing 4x4 conversions, what parts are needed etc. Best way to get it done is just get to it and go to work!

[tgdoumit]

nice build! my 12er is in almost!
i like your radio and I'm thinking I'm going to follow your lead on that one.

[lower50's]

Another option for music is a headphone jack to RCA straight into a amp. I have that in my truck works great.

[87max]

What did you do with headliner? I didn't think it was possible to get them in or out without back window or windshield out. Why don't you like poly bushings? Looking great!

[DieselRat]

Anything is possible! I had everything out when I first took the headliner out, meaning seats and everything. When I put it back in, I had the seats in so it definately did not fit. I ended up just folding it like a taco (carefully) and it did crease some and I'm sure the fiberboard thing that IS the headliner cracked some, but once its up and pinched between the trim pieces I smoothed it all out and you would never know. Then just having a good awl to punch through it to find the screw holes for the trim.

As for the poly, the cummins vibrates enough as it is I didn't want super stiff poly bushings making everything else more teeth rattling.

[DieselRat]

Been a little while, slight updates.

Was at the local junkyard a couple weeks back and spyed a steering gear box that had some fresh paint, like fresh rebuild paint, so i yanked it to find out it was a reman box that must have been fresh before they threw in the towel and junked the truck! So I put that in my truck along with a new (another used) Jeep XJ steering shaft and well...no more pop bang rattle in the front end.

Now heres my gripe. When I got my steering components original, meaning TRE and tie rod etc, I went with MOOG stuff. All new because I had nothing...I didnt look back in my thread but its been what? less than a year? maybe 2-3K miles and literally the TRE at the pitman arm and steering knuckle were thrashed. I remember the boots falling down almost immediately and not holding grease so that was part of it. This time around I went with autozone junk and right out of the gate the quality was surprisingly better. The taper was tighter, they torqued properly. The grease fittings screwed right in, no struggle like MOOG, the boots were strapped on to the joint end and took grease like normal...I bet they were cheaper too. So first pull out of the driveway and holy crap what a difference! Steering is tight and responsive and doesnt pop when I turn anymore. No more rattle and clank in the front end either.

So thats my story and I'm stickin with it

[daddyjeep]

Originally Posted by DieselRat

So thats my story and I'm stickin with it

Well that's a sad story. I always thought moog was a top quality brand. They must be outsourcing china junk like everyone else.

[Dieselwrencher]

A few years ago I heard Moog had been baught out. Around that time I had a lot of moog ball joint and tie rod end failures. I switched to XRF at that time. I've heard Moog has their stuff together now but I'm leary to go back. Although, I did get Moog chassis saver tie rod ends for my 40 Ford recently. Hopefully they last....

[DieselRat]

I shoulda known when the boots were all goofed up. They would hardly stay put with no grease and not installed, once you greased them they would pop off the knuckle and shrink up. I don't know what happenened but either way thats the last I will spring for them!

[lower50's]

I put Moog stuff in my truck 5000mi so far so good.

[DieselRat]

Well looks like my build thread is worthless now that photobucket quit the photo sharing. Been driving my truck, added some air bags to the rear (helper bags) but otherwise shes just getting used! Might pull some things apart when I park it for winter to clean up and fix up. Thanks for following along regardless!

[jaysonb87]

Originally Posted by DieselRat

Well looks like my build thread is worthless now that photobucket quit the photo sharing. Been driving my truck, added some air bags to the rear (helper bags) but otherwise shes just getting used! Might pull some things apart when I park it for winter to clean up and fix up. Thanks for following along regardless!

Your build thread is definitely not worthless! I was able to google "Photobucket fix" and a youtube video showed me how to download a fix for google chrome at least... I can now see all your pics again!

[DieselRat]

Somehow my pics are all back up, and my truck is back in my buddys shop for some upgrades. Pretty much just been driving it and using it as a truck since I finished it up over a year ago. Hauls firewood and my little camper all summer, usually sits all winter!

Got a fully rebuild P pump cummins going in, and also having the NV4500 rebuilt while its all torn down, and also want to tackle the so important sound deadening inside the cab, it still pretty noisy inside! Pics to come.

[DieselRat]

So its been a while,miss being a regular around here! As my last post stated This past summer I ended up buying a 97 Cummins engine with the 180hp pump from a friend who wrecked his truck. Had a shop near me go over the engine, put new rings and bearings as well as a complete regasket of it, in trade for my 'old' engine. Worked out good. So rather than brave the cold and do it in my driveway again, I stuck it in my buddys barn and did the swap there. Finished it about 3 weeks ago and finally have everything dialed in and ready for upgrades now! This was the first engine swap that I dropped in, fired up, bolted the front end back on and drove it away. Went flawless, and everything works, it starts and stops with the key!

Just for those wondering I did the swap because the original engine was an 89 non IC. It ran GREAT, had good power, but was about maxed out and naturally left me wanting more. On top of that it started to use a bit of oil, and coolant and it was time for a teardown anyways. Going with the new engine just opened up the tuning possibilities to get me to the HP goals I wanted to be at a heck of a lot easier than buying a hopped up VE pump and turbo and still being stuck with minimal injector choices.

Anyways, First thing I did was set my timing which was pretty intimidating and had me wanting the VE back, but it turned out dead simple. Set it to 16.5deg.
Next up I put the AFC live in, more because I like toys, so why not.


Waiting on 5x.012 injectors and I have .055 delivery valves to go in, also going with a 3k gsk kit. That should about max out power output of the hx35 and keep me happy until I can upgrade the turbo and exhaust manifold.

Couple pics of the new engine.

Did the mid mount AC brackets on it as well with plans to add AC at some point

[Mpiersd]

Very nice build. Just read through the whole thing and its looking great.
Lots of inspiration here for when I get my own and start swapping things around.

[DieselRat]

Originally Posted by Mpiersd

Very nice build. Just read through the whole thing and its looking great.
Lots of inspiration here for when I get my own and start swapping things around.

Thank you! Sorta of my plan was to try and document so it could be a good reference for later.

Still tinkering with things daily. Recently did injectors, delivery valves and bumped the timing a little. Also got the AFC live unit, and have gov springs to put in. Got a bunch of summer camping trips coming up fast so shes gonna see some serious miles here soon!