12v 96'Suburban swap

[EWalshak]

I was able to get more done since the last post. The motor is back together and ready to go in. All the gaskets are replaced and everthing is torqued to spec. New filters, fuel pump, water pump. I still have to get the alternator figured out as well as plugging the coolant nipples that supply the trans fluid heater thing that mounts on the side of the motor, since im deleting it. I got the rest of the parts I need off of the donor truck(cruise control, heater grid coils, fuel pedal). Dropped the trans off to the transmission man. I wont be able to post any pics until I get my wifes computer fixed or replaced as it was the only comp that had the picture software on it. I will keep updating as the project continues... ... PS. If anyone has knowledge about wiring the heater grid coils as well as the cruise control, please chime in. Any help is welcomed.

 

[surfbeetle]

I saw your post on the Excursion thread asking about the heater grid coils. The 6. 5 diesel that I had used glow plugs. I think that I would use that with wire with a relay to control the heater grid. You may be able to just use the wires that went to the glow plugs with no relay. Not sure however I am thinking it would work because the 6. 5 had 8 glow plugs while the Cummins has just the one heater grid.

 

[WyattEarp]

seen your moving along, i would love to chime in with electrical help but not sure i would be of any right now, im sure there is a member that can help with that, to many conversions been done with the suburbans. im getting leveled back out from last week, was rough...

 

[SGrubel]

I used the glow plug controller in my 88 from a 6. 2. I think the ones from 94 up were all controlled by the ecu to activate the relay, but I think 84-93 used the same. Mine happens to be out of a 90 suburban with a 6. 2. Now it will only glow for about 6-8 seconds, but you can add a resistor to keep it glowing for 15-18 seconds. I'm goin to play with other resistors to see how long I can get it to glow, and mabey get a temp sender that would get the right resistance to vary it with temp. You will need the plug to go into the glow plug controller also. I actually have mine wired in so it lights the factory glow plug light also. I do have a wiring diagram of how to hook it up on my computer somewhere, pretty simple

 

[EWalshak]

Thanks for the info. I want to use the grid coils if at all possible. If I cant figure out how I will go that route. Thanks

 

[Applegator]

First, I would recommend you get the 92 Dodge and the Chevy manuals w/wire diagrams if you don't have them. The Dodge wire diagrams are good and there are only a few diagrams that apply to the diesel. Geno's sells the 92 Dodge manual ($95) or CD ($30).

I am probably not much help here because I don't have the 92 wire diagrams. In 92, Dodge started using a PCM (power control module) in place of the individual modules. It is located in the fender by the battery. Did you take that off the donor? I would think all you need to do is power the PCM with the Chevy key and the grid heaters would work. It generally is just 1 wire but which wire and you have to be very careful here. Basically you just power the PCM and it runs the grid heaters. The grid heaters draw power directly from the battery not the key switch. Same with the speed control, just more wires, so you need the wire diagrams to know how the buttons function. Always remember when connecting the battery, to put the positive first, then the ground and when disconnecting the battery to take the ground off first, then the positive. And never work on the electrical with the battery hooked up.

One way, I have heard to get the speedometer and gauges to work is to put the Dodge speedometer and gauges in the Chev cluster, if that is possible with a 96. Then, you just plug the wires in, but I haven't done that. Maybe there is a better way, I don't know.

I like your project and the meticulous job you are doing.

 

[EWalshak]

Thanks for the compliment Applegator. I also appreciate the info. As far as the PCM goes. I sold the donor vehicle. Delivered it today. Wasnt able to get the PCM off of it. I guess I will start with the manuals and go from there... .

 

[EWalshak]

Picked up the trans yesterday. Got it painted last night. Found and purchased a turbo on ebay last night. The gov spring came in the mail today. I should be able to get a good bit done this weekend as far as the process of putting this project back together. Im really trying to make sure all my bases are covered and I dont miss something. I dont like wasting time backtracking if i miss something. I did get the engine comprtment cleaned and painted. It looks a lot better than it did. I hope to get the wifes computer replaced so I can post some pics. Some stuff seem like it would be easier to do while the motor is out, but at the same time I would like to get it together ASAP and get some baseline numbers before any mods are done. Like the gov spring and turbo. As I will have to do some special creating to get the turbo on as well as the exhaust I guess it will be better to go ahead and do that stuff now... ... .

 

[WyattEarp]

Hey my friend, sorry i haven't called lately, was ck'n to see how things were going and with the install. . will try and catch you soon...

 

[EWalshak]

Hey James, Things are moving along at a steady pace. Had to take a week off from the Burb to help the kids with a project for a learning fair they participated in. I dropped off the driveshaft today. They cant shorten the one from the burb because it is carbon fiber so they are going to build me a new one using some parts from the one that was in your truck. I worked one the exhaust some this week. Downpipe is almost done. (waiting on a turbo clamp from source automotive). I got the new exhaust housing for the turbo. I was going to put an HE351 turbo on it, but for the sake of time I upgraded the HC1 with a 14cm ex housing. I got the rebuild kit for it this past week. Its on my to do list. I will be working on the brackets that relocate the alternator and AC compressor tomorrow. Still a lot to do but Im on the downhill side of things. Im really looking forward to it being done. Trying real hard to enjoy the journey. Walking away for a breather when I feel like im going to start throwing wrenches. If ya know what I mean. How are you doing? Are you feeling better? Good to hear from you. :-laf

 

[EWalshak]

PS. I got the 3800 gov spring last week. On the to do list as well.

 

[WyattEarp]

Sounds like progress, glad to hear it. . I understand about throwing wrenches, when it gets to that point its time to take a much needed breather, amazing what will pop in your head after walking away and letting it go for a bit. . Glad to hear the little ones are doing well, my oldest nephew has started his little league games so we went to the second one yesterday, trying to help him as much as i physically can.
As for me i am improving, testing my limits and seeing what i can and can't do at this point, so far i am happy with my physical progress just have more road to travel and time but for the most part i am taking it in stride, no need to do anything but... I am waiting on the shop guy to get the W250 back together and i picked up another jewel for here around the farm and to get the logging done i was wanting before the accident, will post up a pic soon.

 

[hdepech]

very cool I can see this has been as fun for your family as mine. i had the girls out pressure washing everything the other day and today they helped me scrape off old crusted dirt. burban is preped and ready. Dodge apart tomorrow

 

[EWalshak]

Started the burb for the first time yesterday. Man what a good feeling. Ive never been so happy to smell diesel fumes!I wound up replacing the turbo with a reman HX35 from Gillette Diesel. Exhaust is done. Trans linkage is done. Fuel pedal is done. Some wiring left to do. A/C lines need to be made. It feels good to be at the end of the project. What a relief. After she is up and running for a while I will still have some body work issues that need attention. Oh I almost forgot, I still need to get converters for the tach, speedo and the shift indicator light. She sound good though. A little less noisy than my 98.

 

[EWalshak]

I took the burb on its maiden cruise down the street 4 or 5 times this eve. Still working through some wiring issues but still good to get out and drive the burb. I thought the trans was having issues but seemed to smooth out once I drove it a few times and got the fluid level where it needed to be. The punch list is shrinking.

 

[WyattEarp]

Sounds great!!! little by little, i may have to take my truck and have someone do the axle seals for some reason i am seeing some dust collecting on areas of the drum and well it appears i have the slightest film of oil on both sides, i think i didn't get them tight enough the first round then i redone them again...
Glad the suburban is motoring along again and with the Proper diesel under the hood

 

[moparguy]

Congratulations! Always good to see follow through on a tough project. Makes me feel lazy with my little 302 Miata project.

 

[EWalshak]

Going today to get a rear passenger door to replace the one on the suburban that my wife gently decorated with the front bumper on the minivan. My buddy Jody at K&J Autobody will be coaching/helping me with the paint work. I plan to do the grunt work and call on his talented ability when I need it. He is "The Man when it comes to making a vehicle look better than the factory could. He said we could fix the door that is on the truck if I wanted to but would save some time if I found a decent replacement.

 

[EWalshak]

New Door and Grille

I was able to get a replacement door and a GMC style grille for the burb. The price was pretty good at $105. for both pieces.

 

[EWalshak]

Some more burb pics. Has anyone noticed my temporary "Rigged" radiator overflow tank. Have not found a decent solution for that one yet.