Future Conversion Project

[SOLER]

I am planning a conversion project. It is going to be a crew cab Chev with (hopefully) a Cummins 8. 3L. I am in the research phase right now.



A couple of questions. 1st: Does anyone know if I can get a heavier frame to mount the body on? My reason is that I want a truck that I can legally register for over 15k #'s GVWR, 30K #'s towing. But, I don't want a Kodiak or Topkick body. I want the pickup body on a heavy frame. I have seen Topkicks with pickup beds, but that's not what I want.



2nd: It will be a 4x4 (3x3, whatever), and I need heavier-rated axles. Especially the front.



I plan on putting the 8. 3 in front of a Fuller 9 speed or somethig similar. So basically I want a Semi-semi. Power and capability, but able to park in my driveway! HeeHee!!



If anyone can shed some light, I'd appreciate it.



Thanks

 

[JoeyD]

You could start with a frame from the lighter duty Kodiak and swap a cab, nose and bed from a pick-up on to and shorten frame to work. As far as axles you could go dana 60 front and a 80 rear.

 

[w-cummins]

You will want 2. 5 ton axles if your going to run it like a 2. 5 ton truck a dana 60 front is not nearly strong enough for that kind of load. you put 2000lbs of engine and trany plus 30k load on the truck, you will bend it like a twig

 

[SOLER]

Yeah, Dana 60 or 80 will not be near enough. I hope to find a donor truck (old Topkick or something) I hope to be able to find front drive axle and t-case. I haven't had any luck finding any so far.

 

[Paychk]

I think it was in the "Four Wheeler" magazine a guy took a 450 or 550 Furd Super duty truck, shortened the frame and mounted a 350 Dually box on it. It is a sharp looking rig, could you go that route with a Chebby?



Just a thought

 

[SOLER]

I've seen guys with Topkick cabs and 1-ton dually beds. Not what I'm looking to do. I want the whole 1-ton body. I just need a donor truck for the frame and axles.



I think the Ford 450 and 550 use the same cab as the 350. Am I right? I know GM doesn't do this, or else my problem there would be solved. Plus, I want to use the older body style. A couple of reasons. I really like (always have) the '73-'87 body style. Plus, they are pre-computer ('80 and back) alieviating a lot of headache trying to hook stuff up. I want to get a mechanical 8. 3L to make things easier.



Thanks for the input.

 

[w-cummins]

Originally posted by SOLER



I think the Ford 450 and 550 use the same cab as the 350. Am I right? I know GM doesn't do this, or else my problem there would be solved. Plus, I want to use the older body style. A couple of reasons. I really like (always have) the '73-'87 body style. Plus, they are pre-computer ('80 and back) alieviating a lot of headache trying to hook stuff up. I want to get a mechanical 8. 3L to make things easier.



Thanks for the input.

Chevy did the same thing for years look at a C65 truck of the years 73-87 it's the same cab diffrent fenders etc.....

 

[SOLER]

Yeah, I remember them. Is it possible to bolt up a light duty front clip? It must be if it's the same cab. Now I just have to find one. If anyone sees one, let me know. Thanks. This site rocks!



Soler

 

[dshockley]

The ford mentioned from four-wheeler was a 650. It is a different body style than the 450/550.



Good luck,

Dan

 

[Crash_AF]

Actually, the cab and interior components are the same, but the front clip and frame/running gear are different.



Later,

Joe

 

[Brian R]

I put a Mazda Rotary pickup body on a 1/2 ton International 4x4 frame with Dana 44's front and rear. Used a Ford 302 for motivation and a divorced NP something TC. Certainly not the same but perhaps similar in some ways. It really wasn't that difficult. I think I had the thing on the road two weeks after I started (working 10 - 12 hours a day on it). If you have to swap the light duty body on to the medium duty frame I don't think it would be that bad. However, finding a way to lift that body up high enough might be tough. Incidentally, make sure you get that ultra cool 10 lug axle with disc brakes on it for the back. I,m not sure what model it is but I had one on a motorhome with a P30 chassis.

 

[SOLER]

I have not had mush luck finding what I'm looking for. I might end up buying a Freightliner FL70, or Kenworth T300, and doing the conversion with it. Most of the work will already be done. It will have the big diesel (though most have a 3126 CAT--I don't want a CAT--good motor, but very pricey to work on), Allison 6-speed auto, and havey axles. All I would have to do is extend the body. I will do a cost analysis and figure it from there. Thanks for the replies.



If anyone sees any frames or axles for sale that may work let me know.



Thanx



SOLER

 

[w-cummins]

Originally posted by SOLER

I have not had mush luck finding what I'm looking for. I might end up buying a Freightliner FL70, or Kenworth T300, and doing the conversion with it. Most of the work will already be done. It will have the big diesel (though most have a 3126 CAT--I don't want a CAT--good motor, but very pricey to work on), Allison 6-speed auto, and havey axles. All I would have to do is extend the body. I will do a cost analysis and figure it from there. Thanks for the replies.



If anyone sees any frames or axles for sale that may work let me know.



Thanx



SOLER

much cheaper to just run the freightshaker and the cat engine you would never pay for the cost of the conversion in cat parts even if they were more $$ than the cummins parts ( and they are not). That's what I would do if I could pay for one! Only problem I see is that your insurance co will not like the fl70 much you might convince them to insure it as a motorhome puller otherwise your in class 7 land and CDL land too... .



William

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Soler,

I don't believe that you will find a frame that won't require the crewcab mounts to be fabricated along the the bed mounts. It should not be difficult to put the early Chevy body on a HD frame/chassis though. I would go to a truck salvage yard and measure different chassis to get an idea on what works best. The 8. 3 is tall for a pickup but should fit below the hood on several HD chassis. The frame rails will be wider then the LD but doable. Conventional school bus or church bus are the least expensive donors, are easily shortened and usually have low mileage componets albeit some quirks. Good luck. Larry

 

[Gifford]

F series

The F600 has a cummins ISB in it, doesnt it?????????