Conversion 4BT

[Shadrach]

Big Thanks for sharing your stories with us.

One of my customers has a 56? Chev 1/2 ton with a 4BT in it and uses it for running around town. The body isn't a show truck by any means but that gives it it's own charm. He did find that with an auto ( 727 ) that the vibration in drive at a stop light was a bit annoying so he converted it to a NV4500. In your case that probably isn't an option. The nice thing about a 4B is that it will fit into almost anything. The P pumped ones with CAC came with 130 horses, but in a light truck even 90 would be fun. Shad

 

[BIGNASTY]

Shad

Thanks for the info on the trans/4BT just looking around to try and get something going for fun driver dont even have to be practical ,im not!!

Ya didnt do much thinking about CLUTCHES until I was asked where the key for the International was at, BIL needed to use the shop and needed to move the truck. LIGHT BULB ON!!!!!! Need to think about that also NEW TRUCK or take out my 9 speed stick and put in an Allison 9 or ? Dont even know if it can be done. HOW BIG A BUMMER THAT IS no more driving big trucks!!!! NO self respecting TRUCK DRIVER would drive a class 8 with an AUTOMATIC!!

 

[Wayne M.]

Big. Don't forget about the automated manuals out today. They are popping up by me.

 

[AH64ID]

When I ever get the shop space I hope to do a 4BT into something, anything really

You should get a better turbo for the 04. 5 and put the stock 04. 5 turbo on the 4BT.

The TH400 is just a 3 speed, are you not concerned about no OD with a low revving 4BT?

 

[BIGNASTY]

Wayne

The only automatic BIG TRUCK that I have ever driven was way back but it still had a clutch for starting and stopping. After starting you didnt use the clutch any longer BUT THERE WAS THIS DAMN BEEP!!!! everytime the truck wanted to shift with no volume control on the beep the driver had to let of the gas pedal and get back on it to make it shift. I drove it around town for a day or two and then got a load to the mountains I didnt want to take it the boss said take it and see how it does. Our mountains in So Cal were not all that big a deal but at the high point at Onyx summit I pull over and give the truck a quick check before going DOWN into town and to SQUIRT THE DIRT. I got out of the truck the transmission was smoking big time I was so embarrassed I hid in the cab and let it cool down for a min. before taking off again. My problem now is that I really dont have any control of the left leg from the Mechanical knee down so I have no way of putting my foot on the clutch this is all theory as of now but have talked to other amputees about it and they said the same thing CLUTCHES AND DONE. The up side of the automatic was that in town I could drive around and steer with one hand and shift with the feet and could eat a hamburger with the other hand

 

[BIGNASTY]

Im not touching my 04. 5 I like as it is STOCK

Thats what I was wondering about with the TH400 It works great on the 5. 9 but didnt know about the 4BT

 

[Wayne M.]

Big I'm guessing that transmission was before all the automation and with mechanical throttle. I have a phone video of me driving the new Mack hybrid with the mdrive automated transmission. It's really a techno feat. If I could upload the vid here I would.
Back on topic, I always wondered if a B would fit in a B Dodge van? I think the B is too tall.

 

[Wayne M.]

Big I'm guessing that transmission was before all the automation and with mechanical throttle. I have a phone video of me driving the new Mack hybrid with the mdrive automated transmission. It's really a techno feat. If I could upload the vid here I would.

Back on topic, I always wondered if a B would fit in a B Dodge van? I think the B is too tall.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I think that my BIG TRUCKIN day are pretty much gone except for sitting on the GIRL'S side of the cab and THAT'S NOT going to happen. I mite have to get a different truck to haul the gang around but I did it with my Dodge with a stock trans now that I have the Full on DTT it should be better than before.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Still looking for a project truck and came across this looks like it would turn heads it did mine. I took the 4BT down to a scale its weight 750pounds. If I remember its about the same as a big block chevy. The 50 to 53 chevy would be getting a chevelle front clip so it would ride nice without making you stutter and I could have front disc breaks (a nice addition) 67 and 68 Chevelles came with 396 cid motors so the 4BT would fit the bill as far as weight. Tub the bed so I could get some rubber under it to hold down the modified 4BT, ANY PROBLEMS? that you can think of would be appreciated.



BIG

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes big. You're on the $$ with the weight. Please elaborate more on the Chevelle clip. You sure you didn't mean camaro? The Chevelle is full frame. The camaro has a clip. If you wanted to do a truck like that, get with the custom truck mags and you'll see some nice kits.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Wayne good to see ya back

Im pretty sure it was a Chevelle that the guys in So Ca are using for the front end clip at or just after the firewall and then weld to the truck frame only they use a small block chevy for power. When the wife and I got married and she moved to Ca with me she called her brother and the two of them were in OLD CAR HEAVEN. Being from MT the OLD cars are just a few years old. They must have bought 20 cars to take back to MT to have her Brother chop and rebuild He's the chop master in our group.

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes. I needed a distraction. I'd love to do a project like that. I get this reoccurring idea. Often I see an early 80's olds cutlass sedan (4 door) which looks like a baby delta 88 of the same vintage. This car is always plugging along near where I work in very decent shape. Anyway, I have seen 4b's dropped into gm cars like these and often wonder how good they would do? They sure would turn some heads just by sound alone. You just can't buy a car that size anymore. You'd get railroaded into a small SUV.

 

[Wayne M.]

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Bolt-In-1947-54-Chevy-Pickup-Mustang-II-Crossmember,50961.html
Here's a great place to buy, or get ideas. The link shows a mustang II crossmember for early GMC trucks that mounts a SB Chevy. You could easily adapt to that. The Mustang II front end is a very popular format in the street rod world.
Here's a page of 'stang II components, including air ride goodies... http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Street-Rod-Mustang-II-Suspension.html

 

[BIGNASTY]

Wayne the link say's it all

Note: Use bolt-in motor mount kit 910-54754 to mount your S/B Chevy.
Its for a small block cheby dont know if the mustang front end would take the weight of a BB or 4BT that is why the clip of a car that had the suspension to hold the weight.

 

[Wayne M.]

BIG. that's definetly a consideration. I know big blocks usually go where smalls can. The 4B weight is right in line. Now you gotta ask yourself what every hot Rodder ponders; What are we gonna do with this beast/ what do we want from it? If you're staying on smooth streets with maybe a gravel driveway and babying this (no heavy hauling lol) then I believe an air ride 'stang II kit is the way to go. It'll be a dream on the hiway with the rack n pinion n all.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Wayne the end result for my expectations from any HOT ROD type ride is

 

[Wayne M.]

Wayne the end result for my expectations from any HOT ROD type ride is

Indeed but you have to reach the end result by making the right choices. You're doing that now. Most don't get lucky enough to follow through.

 

[jgillott]

Not what you are looking for I'm sure, but I passed a beautiful late '60's D200 for sale on the way home from church this morning. My wife just looked at me and said "don't even think about it".

 

[Wayne M.]

Not what you are looking for I'm sure, but I passed a beautiful late '60's D200 for sale on the way home from church this morning. My wife just looked at me and said "don't even think about it".

That's usually the result I get. About a year ago I found an USPS RHD jeep. If I had the $$ I'd be in trouble.