My 1977 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Cummins Diesel Build

[1774btcrew]

I have meant to do a post about this for a long time. The truck is finally getting close to paint so I figured I better get my act together and get some pictures posted.
The Vehicle:
1977 GMC Sierra Classic Crew Cab

Mods:
Shortened Frame
1/2 Ton Conversion
Intercooled Cummins 4Bt
4L80E Transmission
Compushift computer and Monitor
AutoMeter Black face ELECTRIC speedometer and tachometer
4 full power doors
Shaved tailgate handle with Jimmy Blazer insert
Factory Lowback buckets and console(plan on some newer seats done lowback that have a recline)
US Indy Slots 15x7 fronts, 15x10 rears(These were on my Dad's 72 Chevy when I was growing up and figured it would be a good tribute for all of the help he provided me in building this.
Gas door bed(I needed locking gas caps and my year bed just didn't look right with them)
New cab mounts
Future plans:
I am in the process of painting it. With any luck it should be done in a couple of weeks.
Once that is done I will have the whole interior redone.
This truck has really been a labor of love. I knew exactly how I wanted to build this long before I owned it. I had the motor even before I got the truck! Even though I have done most of the work on this myself, none of this would have been possible without the knowledge my dad gave me as a kid, all of his help in the initial build and the kindness of my friend at Black Crow Customs for allowing me the use of shop space to do my body/paint work!

[1774btcrew]

More pictures:

[1774btcrew]

The blue and white frame was the donor truck for the suspension and the first bed. The bed was really just to rough as it had rust in the floor and only a single tank. Who ever said a diesel couldn't do a burnout!

[1774btcrew]

I will try and get some more pictures posted in the next few days with any luck.

[Eyegore]

Where in phoenix are you located? There is a place over on 51 Ave and Bethany Home Rd that seems to have done a couple of similar modifications shortening the frame like your doing.

[1774btcrew]

I am at 35th Ave and Bell Rd. I know of about 7 trucks done by that place at Bethany but mine was not one of them. There is a white 4x4 in my neighborhood that they did though. Last I knew the owner of that shop was driving around a yellow short bed stepside he had modified.

[higgiec10]

that's cool nice work

[thirdstreettito]

Yay! A build for it!

[my4by2]

Man, a 4BT is originally what I wanted to go with on my build too!!!! Gonna be a sweet ride - GMC too, I love it!

[Dieselwrencher]

Sweet build man! Anymore updates on it?

[joe231]

Updates???

How much HP and Tq does that 4BT put out?
Posted via Mobile Device

[1774btcrew]

Originally Posted by joe231

Updates???

How much HP and Tq does that 4BT put out?
Posted via Mobile Device

The truck is slowly coming along. I have been in the process of getting a large amount of the bodywork done. I have over 30 hours into just getting the paint stripped from the bed! The bed was from an 84 that I ended up using. It was when GM was using the crappy sealer that caused the paint to peel so it took FOREVER to remove it as the paint stripper didn't lift the sealer it just softened it! Then came the actual body work on the bed and working out the defects in the sheetmetal that were there when the factory stamped it. I hate to say it but probably should have kept the 77 bed I had for it. It seems like GMs dies were more true then. I also replace the bulkhead with a straight one as mine was bowed. This was also from a peeler truck. I have the bed looking good. All that is left on it is the upper bed rails. I plan on filling the stake holes and welding in D rings for tie downs on the pockets. It is just INSANE how many hours I have into the bed alone! I have NOS GM fenders I am using. I welded in the emblem holes in them and have got the bodywork done. They too had factory waves. I don't want to install them until I have the inners painted though. All of the body work is done on the roof as well and just need to sand the guide coat.
As far as mechanical goes, I have purchased a new torque converter as the reman one was junk. I have also powder coated another set of A arms and had new bushings and ball joints installed. The whole truck is coming along. It just takees a ton of time!
Here are some pretty detailed specs from a Cummins Website:
The Cummins 4bt is essentially a 5.9L 12v Cummins with 2 cylinders removed. This 3.9L, 4 cylinder, inline diesel was commonly used in commercial van applications. Generous amounts of torque in a small package make the 4bt common for engine swaps in Jeeps & small trucks/suvs.

Cummins 4BT Specifications:
Engine Name:
Cummins B3.9L/4BT

Applications:
Chevrolet Step Vans, Commercial applications

Configuration:
Inline 4-cylinder diesel

Displacement:
3.9L, 239 cubic inches

Bore:
4.02 inches

Stroke:
4.72 inches

Compression Ratio:
17.5:1

Aspiration:
Turbocharged, non-intercooled

Engine Weight:
745 - 782 lbs

Oil Capacity:
10 quarts

Horsepower:
105 hp @ 2,300 RPM *

Torque:
265 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM *

GVWR:
16,000 lbs


*Common rating, though horsepower & torque ratings may vary by application.


Cummins 4BT Dimensions:
Length:
30.6 inches

Width:
24.6 inches

Height:
37.7 inches

[1774btcrew]

Originally Posted by joe231

Updates???

How much HP and Tq does that 4BT put out?
Posted via Mobile Device

The truck is slowly coming along. I have been in the process of getting a large amount of the bodywork done. I have over 30 hours into just getting the paint stripped from the bed! The bed was from an 84 that I ended up using. It was when GM was using the crappy sealer that caused the paint to peel so it took FOREVER to remove it as the paint stripper didn't lift the sealer it just softened it! Then came the actual body work on the bed and working out the defects in the sheetmetal that were there when the factory stamped it. I hate to say it but probably should have kept the 77 bed I had for it. It seems like GMs dies were more true then. I also replace the bulkhead with a straight one as mine was bowed. This was also from a peeler truck. I have the bed looking good. All that is left on it is the upper bed rails. I plan on filling the stake holes and welding in D rings for tie downs on the pockets. It is just INSANE how many hours I have into the bed alone! I have NOS GM fenders I am using. I welded in the emblem holes in them and have got the bodywork done. They too had factory waves. I don't want to install them until I have the inners painted though. All of the body work is done on the roof as well and just need to sand the guide coat.
As far as mechanical goes, I have purchased a new torque converter as the reman one was junk. I have also powder coated another set of A arms and had new bushings and ball joints installed. The whole truck is coming along. It just takes a ton of time!
Here are some pretty detailed specs from a Cummins Website:
The Cummins 4bt is essentially a 5.9L 12v Cummins with 2 cylinders removed. This 3.9L, 4 cylinder, inline diesel was commonly used in commercial van applications. Generous amounts of torque in a small package make the 4bt common for engine swaps in Jeeps & small trucks/suvs.

Cummins 4BT Specifications:
Engine Name:
Cummins B3.9L/4BT

Applications:
Chevrolet Step Vans, Commercial applications

Configuration:
Inline 4-cylinder diesel

Displacement:
3.9L, 239 cubic inches

Bore:
4.02 inches

Stroke:
4.72 inches

Compression Ratio:
17.5:1

Aspiration:
Turbocharged, non-intercooled

Engine Weight:
745 - 782 lbs

Oil Capacity:
10 quarts

Horsepower:
105 hp @ 2,300 RPM *

Torque:
265 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM *

GVWR:
16,000 lbs


*Common rating, though horsepower & torque ratings may vary by application.


Cummins 4BT Dimensions:
Length:
30.6 inches

Width:
24.6 inches

Height:
37.7 inches