dealing with the extra weight if a diesel

[meatwagon83]

while going fron a big black to a diesel what did you do todeal with the extra wieght? from what i understand a cummins weights almost twice as much as my big block and i want to know how much it will affect ride hieght, right now i have the hd moog springs in it but i will be converting to 4wd at the same time i do the diesel conversion and im wanting to put 4 inch lift springs on it

[Ackattack]

Here's what I did (not the easy way, btw)

I also converted to 4wd by using the dodge dana 60 in the front. I went ahead and used the dodge coil springs as well since they made to carry the cummins anyways. This required a lot of cutting, thinking, cussing, and work. Leaf springs would be A LOT easier

For leaf springs, I think I would call a spring shop and get some input from them.

[legendman]

I went from a 6.2 to a 6bt, front springs didn't move much.
I figure the 6bt is about 300lbs heavier fully dressed.
I don't think a 6bt weighs twice what a bigblock does.

[cAlvis165]

I'm finding 685 lbs. for a fully dressed 454 (including cast iron manifolds) and 980 lbs. for a ve pumped 12v 6bt. The 12v weight includes 47rh adapter plate , flexplate, starter, vacc/power steering pump, a/c compressor, altenator, hx35 turbo, oil filter full of oil, 12 qts oil in the pan, diaphram lift pump, fuel filter, and crew cab`s motor mounts, no fan or fan clutch. So not quite as bad as you would think. 300+/- lb. difference.

Chad

[legendman]

Originally Posted by cAlvis165

I'm finding 685 lbs. for a fully dressed 454 (including cast iron manifolds) and 980 lbs. for a ve pumped 12v 6bt. The 12v weight includes 47rh adapter plate , flexplate, starter, vacc/power steering pump, a/c compressor, altenator, hx35 turbo, oil filter full of oil, 12 qts oil in the pan, diaphram lift pump, fuel filter, and crew cab`s motor mounts, no fan or fan clutch. So not quite as bad as you would think. 300+/- lb. difference.

Chad

Nice info.

So adding a 6bt would be quite a bit less than say adding a old school Fisher 9 foot plow, a lot of K30s and C30s back in the day were earning their keep plowing snow.

[Mattman2010]

I used some 4" rough country springs and so far the cummins doesnt seem to squat much, but I have not had the truck all back together yet. And my frame is twice the weight of the stock frame.

[cAlvis165]

Originally Posted by legendman

Nice info.

So adding a 6bt would be quite a bit less than say adding a old school Fisher 9 foot plow, a lot of K30s and C30s back in the day were earning their keep plowing snow.

Good point!

[Dieselwrencher]

On the 89 V20 Suburban I did last, it had Skyjacker or rough country 6" lift springs. They hold the weight fine. After 2 months of towing and or bouncing the springs did settle about an inch. So take that into consideration on the lifted trucks. In other chevy leaf spring trucks, I haven't had any real issues with heavy duty leaf springs. In other words, not a 2 leaf spring up front.

[meatwagon83]

ok thanks, it seemed like i read somewhere that a cummins was 1200 lbs, guess i got bad info, i did plan on useing the 4 leaf front springs so that should take care of it!

[yousesteers]

On mine I left everything stock. I am going ot put on new springs and shocks but have been driving it for 2 years

[legendman]

Originally Posted by meatwagon83

ok thanks, it seemed like i read somewhere that a cummins was 1200 lbs, guess i got bad info, i did plan on useing the 4 leaf front springs so that should take care of it!

A P pump weighs a bit more than a VE pump so that could be the difference

[Dieselwrencher]

A P-pump 12v with turbo and full of fluids is 1150lbs. That's an a/c comp, denso starter and alt. It can weigh more or less pending any other accessories.

[ryanroo]

4" tough contry springs in mine(that will be replaced with airbags and links as soon as Ryans longhorn gets done) and they handle the weight fine for the current stationary status of the truck. they doo squish a bit less than an inch when you sit the cummins and nv4500 in the frame.

ryan