8.3 Cummins / 6CTA The

[50BMG]

Hello I was just thinking about transplanting a 8.3/6CTA Cummins into a cab over truck / cab forward truck and then putting a pickup truck style bed on it. I was wondering what would even work without extensive modifications I do like the old international COE's and I know of a few in my area or should I look into the newer Isuzu , Mitsubishi, Fuso, or Hino trucks? Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts, opinions, or answers.

50BMG

 

[NIsaacs]

I always liked the early '60's C600 style. The AG dealer I worked at, fresh out of high school had one for deliveries that was fun to drive. Since the transmission was behind the driver they required a funky shift tower/linkage that was soggy. When you went for the go home gear you had to use an open palm. If you grabbed the knob with a closed fist you would mash your fingers on the dash Also don't carry anything heavy on the shelf behind the seat or when you tipped the cab it would fall on the windshield and break it.....

Keep in mind, anytime you replace a gasser with a diesel you will need to change gear ratios in the drive axle. I would think the C-series or a small L-series would be great. The L has a true "Jake".

Some great info here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/showthread.php?136458&p=1276280#post1276280

Nick

 

[50BMG]

Hello I was wondering if anyone on the forum has any experience or knowledge on or with the Isuzu NPR line of trucks? I'm asking because they come from the factory with a width that I like. I've also heard/read that Cummins engine conversions are relatively simple or at least the 6BT Cummins conversions are.

 

[Bob4x4]

I always liked the early '60's C600 style. The AG dealer I worked at, fresh out of high school had one for deliveries that was fun to drive. Since the transmission was behind the driver they required a funky shift tower/linkage that was soggy. When you went for the go home gear you had to use an open palm. If you grabbed the knob with a closed fist you would mash your fingers on the dash Also don't carry anything heavy on the shelf behind the seat or when you tipped the cab it would fall on the windshield and break it.....

Keep in mind, anytime you replace a gasser with a diesel you will need to change gear ratios in the drive axle. I would think the C-series or a small L-series would be great. The L has a true "Jake".

Some great info here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/showthread.php?136458&p=1276280#post1276280

View attachment 100433

Nick

My fleet had one of those damn tilt cab Fords. The shift linkage was pretty crazy with many u-joints in it. Slow and careful shifting was key. I️ had to drive it home with a shot clutch from A hundred miles out through Friday traffic

 

[50BMG]

I was thinking if you can get a 6BT Cummins to fit into an engine compartment then you could almost get a 6CTA to fit, if the chassis could take the extra weight as its only about 5 inches longer, 10 inches wider (which would probably be the biggest problem) and around 3 inches shorter than the 6BT Cummins.

50BMG

 

[Vector]

8.3 cummins is a 6ct engine
nothing from a 5.9 fits that engine
l10 cummins is not a 8.3 it is 10 litters

there are many things that you can do to the fuel pump itself.

 

[Vector]

my parents are buying a 1997 Country coach RV. It was a steal for the price, and they were looking to buy one anyways. So they found this one for real cheap and its actually in really good condition for its age. So were going to be picking it up on Saturday.

So I told them it'll be slow as crap with the 300hp 8.3 cummins, and told them they needed to upgrade it. So were looking at around 425-450hp, maybe more, just as long as fuel milage doesnt go down to much. My understanding is this is basically a 12 valve 5.9 cummins, except with 8.3 liters. So I found a guy on ebay selling performance injectors that he claims add 60-80hp.:-laf:-laf

 

[NIsaacs]

8.3 cummins is a 6ct engine
nothing from a 5.9 fits that engine
l10 cummins is not a 8.3 it is 10 litters

there are many things that you can do to the fuel pump itself.

I think the OP knows all this, but thanks anyway Also, the ISL is 8.9L.

Nick

 

[Wayne M.]

The B and C series engines are totally different. The C is more of a truck engine than even the B. Has wet liners, IIRC a bit heavier, etc. you'll see it in heavier applications. We had them in garbage trucks, as well as L10's and M11's. Given the choice for a larger medium, I'd take the L or M any day. Absolute powerhouse.

 

[50BMG]

Yes I know that the C Series 8.3L Cummins engine has little in common with the 5.9L 6BT Cummins except maybe the Cummins name, I was merely saying that the 8.3L Cummins isn't a whole lot larger than the 6BT Cummins and that with a few modifications here and there if you can swap a 6BT Cummins into a vehicle than you should be able to swap a 6CT Cummins into it also.

 

[Wayne M.]

I just came across a C series shop manual. Says a dressed engine weighs 1400 lbs.

 

[50BMG]

I just finished watching powernations xtreme off-road where he just swapped in a 6BT Cummins into a isuzu npr. I don't know the exact specifications of the isuzu npr so I don't know what would need to be modified in order to swap a 6CT Cummins into a isuzu npr. Or if it would even be possible. But that would make an ultra heavy duty pickup if a pickup bed were installed on the back.

 

[Wayne M.]

I've worked on a few of the little Asian cab forward jobs. The engines are really set low and the cooling packages are very low too, to seem as though the fan was driven off the crankshaft. They are nifty vehicles, but the GVW really is not there, so I would hold on the "ultra heavy duty". A Ram C&C would have them outgunned big time, and with 4WD.
Their value lies in manuverability and compactness in the city situation.

 

[50BMG]

Thanks Wayne M I was just thinking about using a marine 6CTA 400HP-600HP engine with an Allison TC10 transmission and really variable gear box SCS transfer case to get gear ratios for sand, mud, snow, pulling, a really low granny gear and 2.5/5 Ton Hybrid axles I just wanted the isuzu, hino, mitsubishi asian cab forward truck for its compactness and tight turn radius.

50BMG

 

[Wayne M.]

I understand where you're coming from, and appreciate the desire to do such a project. But I just don't think that truck is a candidate for that powertrain.
If you look hard and wide, you might find what NYC once used for a garbage truck. The make is Crane Carrier and the models were LET or Centurion.
This is a medium/ heavy (depending on spec) cab forward with a very low step in height, and ours had an incredible turn radius and good ride quality. Our power was usually International DT466 or Cummins C, but later models were heavier tandems and had Cummins L or M power.
I think there's a lot of potential to build an awesome truck that will be one of a kind. And yes, we once had a 4WD model as a landfill vactor truck with a FABCO planetary steer axle.

Example. Recoup some expense by scrapping the body. Or maybe they'll sell without.

http://wastewheels.com/1991_crane_carrier_heil_500020yd.html

 

[50BMG]

Thanks Wayne M do you think that any of these trucks would come in a 4 door/ crewcab configuration so that I could put a Braun schoolbus/ public transportation wheelchair lifts in the second door/ second row seating ? Or is all of this a pipe dream ?

50BMG

 

[Wayne M.]

I have seen an extended cab Crane Carrier (CCC) but they are extremely rare, and I don't know what the arrangement is.
I forgot where I saw it- may have been Instagram, but someone took a not so old (modern) but decommissioned fire engine, took the pumper body off, and made an impressive looking unusual head turner. You'll definetly be able to do a wheelchair lift on the curb side, and these chassis usually have larger bore engines like series 60 Detroits and M11 Cummins and even Cat mills. Crank up the imagination.

 

[50BMG]

Actually there's a mid to late 1970's Cabover or cab forward chevy/gmc firetruck about 30 some miles from my house I don't know if it runs or even has an engine but it looks good from the outside .Wonder if that would be a better option ? Although it only has two front doors so the cab would have to be modified. Especially if I wanted to put the wheelchair lift in it. Just a thought.




50BMG