Crew from Ebay

[mrpbody]

Hey Gang,



I bought some crew cabs from E-bay a couple of months ago and finally got them picked up this weekend. Since I have not figured out how to post pics yet I loaded them into my readers rigs.



Also my buddy was driving the 2005 that is pictured, it has the H. O. 24 valve and 6 speed, he averaged about 16 mpg and it only has a computer for an upgrade. I got the chance to drive it and it has lots of torque, very impressive. I have had my mind set on using a 98 12 valve, but after driving the 05 it almost makes me wonder if using the H. O. motor would be better suited for a tow rig.



What do you guys think, Comparing pulling power, fuel mileage, durability, and installation, what would you guys run?

 

[HSchroen]

Alot of people doing the Crew Cab / Cummins swap. I just picked up a '85 W350 off the govliquidation website. I will post pics of it this weekend. I'm also contemplating what year Cummins to stuff into it. Obviously buying a complete 1st Gen and doing the swap would be the cheapest. I'm sure a latemodel CRD Cummins would cost a pretty penny.

I believe in another post, maybe on the 1st Gen board, that someone swapped a 2nd Gen Cummins into their CrewCab.

 

[btanner]

the 12v is going to be the easiest the earlier models being cheaper. Personally I like the 12v because they are all mechanical and you don't have to worry about putting in the electronics. If you want to worry about that then the 24v will do just fine they will cost more probably won't make as much power without a lot of money and will make the install a lot more complication. Mileage you are probably going to get about the same in either truck it's mostly going to depend on gearing.



-ben

 

[bgilbert]

A 12 valve would be much easier to swap. With a 3rd gen you'll need the computers, ecms and whatever else as far as electronics go. A 12V will have as much or more torque than a 3rd gen. Are you gonna donate your 1st gen 1 ton for the swap? Or are you gonna try to find a donor?



Sweet looking trucks you got there. Seems like I saw them on ebay or maybe here?. . Nice trailers you two had there too! Gotta have a long trailer for something like one of those! I need one!

 

[mrpbody]

My goal is that I want the truck to look like a factory 1993 Dually crew cab, and my plans are to use my 1-ton for the swap. I will be into it for almost nothing once the camper and engine/trans combo sell, so I can justify taking it apart for the conversion.



I was convinced to use the 98 12 valve but after driving the 2005 I had a change of mind and I started to reconsider my decision. After reading your replies, you guys grounded me again, because I really don’t want to mess with all the electronics and a few other reasons.

 

[MMeier]

Outside the electronics issues, a 12 valve will get better mileage then the 3rd gen engine probably ever will, gearing and other issues being the same.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

it will also make torque at a lower RPM

 

[Marty1]

I just put a 3rd Gen in my 1960 Dodge but I didn't do it for torque or HP reasons... noise. With the 1960 Dodge the cab is bare... no carpet, no firewall insulation either inside or out. It's like a large tin can inside & I figured if I threw in a First Gen engine I'd be wearing hearing protection just to drive it!

I don't want to modify the interior from stock & although I may have to insulate the firewall, I want it to remain old looking other than the obvious new mill.

As for electronics... . it couldn't possibly be easier to make a 3rd Gen run. Run a fuel line, one 12V wire from the Battery to the ECM which is bolted to the side of the engine, one 12V wire from ignition to the ECM & power to the starter & she runs. You need to leave all the factory engine harness in tact & leave all the sensors as stock. Then you run all your own mechanical gauges for oil pressure, water temp, Pyro, boost, etc... . same as a First Gen.

All that being said... go with a 98 12V if you can find one. The 93 cab won't be any louder than the 98 cab & the 2nd Gen Cummins is the best 6BT built.

Best Injection pump, cheapest to make have tons of power, all around best bet. You'll be maxing a First Gen out to see 400HP but a P7100 pump is just getting warmed up at 400HP!

Sounds like a fun project you've got there... I've got a 71 W300 Crewcab I'm doing the same conversion on but she's going to be loud in that ol' tin can!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

while I think your 3rd gen transplant is a VERY cool rig, you DO realize you can add sound deadener, right?



Forrest

 

[Marty1]

I'm a real fuss budget when it comes to details. If I can add sound deadener without it being seen... I will. My problem is that I had to do major firewall modifications to fit the 6BT & now my original rubber floor mat won't fit. I hate carpet in a vintage truck but I may have no option but to carpet inside in which case I'll insulate underneath.

There are good & bad points to the 3RD Gens but I too prefer a fully mechanical diesel.

It is nice being able to drop a PowerMax box on & see 900ft/lbs of torque & 400hp for under $1000... try that with your First Gen! :-laf

 

[mrpbody]

Are you kidding, the noise is what it is all about. That was one of the reasons I wanted to stay with the 12 valve motors. A guy I work with calls it a marble crusher, he’s one of those chevy guys with a duramax, so he doesn’t know.



I am also trying to stay with the 1993 stock look inside and using the 85 crew cab shell they didn’t come with a headliner or the plastic trim pieces so I will have to fabricate something for it, and I plan on stuffing sound deadener in the truck anywhere I can. I did this to a toyota truck years ago and it made a huge difference on the freeway.



After hearing you opinions about the 24v versus the 12v, it looks like I’ll stay with the 12v. The prices are not really that bad on them. Check local papers or nickels, or even check with local insurance companies for totals. I went and looked at a 1998 12v extra-cab that was rolled-over that I found in the local nickel paper, they only wanted 2700. 000 for the engine and misc. attachments, only had 82k miles on it and it was a 5 Spd model to boot. When I got there to look at it I discovered that they neglected to tell me it got hit in the front before it rolled over. The fan went into the radiator and the pulleys where bent up bad and would have needed a water pump. I passed on it because there are a ton of them out there. I’m sure it was probably okay but I’ll wait for another one.

 

[Marty1]

Ohh, I love the sound of a mechanical Cummins but I'd just prefer to keep the racket on the outside!

I loved my first Gen truck in my readers rig but it was borderline to drive on long hauls. I drive regularly on 5000 mile trips & the noise was definitely a factor in my decision to buy a 3rd Gen. Any remorse? Sure... . power! The old First Gen could leave the 3rd Gen in the dust.

Around town or short 500 mile jaunts the 1st & 2nd Gen's can't be beat but you just never realize how loud they are until you get in the truck in the morning & turn on the ignition & the radio just about sends you through the roof!

I do love the sound of a no muffler mechanical Cummins but they have their place & driving 1000 mile/day... too much on the old ear drums.

 

[towner]

I'm with Marty on this one... . put the 92 drivetrain in my 59 Apache Suburban... great rig but at highway speed don't even think about using your phone... I wouldn't get rid of it but after five hours on the road you kinda feel worn out compared to new rigs. Yes I'm in the process of putting a p pumped engine into it.

 

[mrpbody]

Ya see, now that's what I'm talking about, new power in an old rig. Nice Burb towner, even if it is a chebby.

All you need to do is attach the Rams Head on top of the engine hood and the Pentastar on the lower fender and you'll be all set.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

but it's a chevy truck with a cummins engine... there's nothing "dodge" or "ram" about it

 

[mrpbody]

Hmm, I thought this was the Cummins/Diesel conversion thread, don't remember seeing anything specifying that it had to be Dodge bodied.

Have ya ever meet somebody that was a dodge guy but drove a Chebby or Ferd because all his friends did. The way I see it Towner can fit in with all his friends and out perform them, so he's is a closet Dodge guy. LOL

 

[towner]

more dodge than chevy

I guess you wouldn't mind if I put my drivetrain in an old Dodge... . I bought the body style that I wanted and put the best drivetrain I could find... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92358&highlight=apache+runs

I didn't know I had to have a Dodge body to post on this message board

 

[mrpbody]

Hey Towner, no disrespect to you, the fact that your doing the work and even documenting it. I think it is great what your doing. I run into people everyday that want to pay somebody to do work for them because of lack of knowledge or because they have more money than interest in doing it themselves.

I think the only way to learn and to get the satisfaction from the project is to jump in feet first, that's why this board is here, to ask questions when we get into gray areas.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

only reason I drive a dodge is for the Cummins under the hood... if I had the time/money for a conversion, it wouldn't have anything Dodge or Ram on it either! LOL!



I've got a Cummins engine, a New Venture transmission, and a Dana rear end... only way I'll drive a Dodge is if all the important stuff is built by quality manufacturers



Forrest

 

[Marty1]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92358&highlight=apache+runs

Super nice truck Towner... I like it... . we just need to get you a better camera!