Looking at Another Truck

[JFitzgerald]

I'm looking at buying a truck from a friend, and I'd appreciate some input/opinions/general harassment from you guys.



The good:

The truck is a '79 Chevy one ton, single rear wheel, 4WD, crew cab with Cummins power. A crew cab would be a great feature for me and my family. This is the only thing I want that my Dodge doesn't have. My friend did the CTD conversion a few years ago. He bought a wrecked early '91 Dodge and pulled the Cummins, Getrag and NP205 for the Chevy. The truck has the original Chevy axles - Dana 60 front and 14 bolt rear, with 4:10 gears. The Getrag and the VE both died since the swap, so they have been rebuilt in the last year or two. The engine has about 120K on it. He hooked up the AC, and it works well. The body was given the full treatment five years ago with all new GM fenders, doors, bedsides and paint and hasn't been driven in the winters since. Not a show truck, but nice. It also has new dual fuel tanks. It has a gooseneck hitch. Mechanically, it doesn't appear to need a thing.



The bad:

The interior of the truck is shot. Needs everything replaced. Because the engine came from an early '91, and because of space concerns, there is no intercooler. Also, I'll have to drive it in the winter (salt).



The interior may not be that big of a problem if I can find a wrecked '73-'91 Suburban or crew cab that has a nice interior. I'd need seats, door panels, dash, headliner, carpet, etc. May just have to do without an intercooler, but I'll have to look into that further.



So what do you think? And how much will I miss the intercooler when I'm towing 12-13K?



Fitz

 

[fkovalski]

It sounds like the best of many worlds! I cannot comment on the inter cooler, but if you want interior stuff (new) you can get a catalog from LMC (Long Motor Co. ) They are on the web. I used them a lot when I restored my '72 Blazer. Very comprehensive catalog.

 

[soslow91]

I wouldn't wory about the salt too much its only a chevy.

As for the intercooler put an EGT in and watch it if you don't BOMB the truck too much you'll probably just have to downshift a little earlier which will help out your getrag. Advancing the timing will help egt's too but 89-91's are already advanced a little I think.

 

[JFitzgerald]

Originally posted by fkovalski

It sounds like the best of many worlds! I cannot comment on the inter cooler, but if you want interior stuff (new) you can get a catalog from LMC (Long Motor Co. ) They are on the web. I used them a lot when I restored my '72 Blazer. Very comprehensive catalog.

Thanks for reminding me about LMC. Had their catalog at one time, but had forgotten about them. I love the 69-72 Blazers. Had a 72 myself. What was I thinking when I sold that??

 

[JFitzgerald]

Can anyone tell me what difference in EGT I'll see without the intercooler? Just for comparison, two trucks set up the same way, only difference being the intercooler (aftercooler), pulling the same load. Roughly how much difference in EGT might one see? 100 degrees, or hundreds?



I like the way mine pulls my trailer the way it is set up now, so I just want to know what to expect. Thanks for any insight.

 

[fkovalski]

Dittos on that JF- I put a lot into that Blazer, but sold it too. I used to have an old '71 IHC Travelall 4WD. As much as I off road the Dodge, it's still good to have an old beater! I found the LMC link: Long Motor Co I remembering them not having much customer service, just a catalog order taker on the other end of the wire. You gotta' know exactly what you want (pretty simple on the Ole Blazers. ) Plus, the catalog is very clear! Good luck with the truck! frank

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

JFitzgerald,



I don't have an intercooler and mine is pretty cranked :--) 35#:--) I can hit 1200* pre turbo when I push her real hard. The highest I have ever seen was 1400 *and she was screaming It will run noticeably better in cooler temps though.









Steve

 

[dusthomps]

Towing 12-14k

Fitz,



Might not be what you're looking for but here is a shade of info. Maybe someone can fill in the intercooled half of this. This is with my 91 non-intercooled.....



When towing my Allis 170 w/ fluid, I'm at roughly 11,800 lbs. Just shy of the 12-14k you asked about. Cruising at 60 down the highway the EGT's pretty much hang at 900-1000 degrees. Going up a 4% grade for 1. 5 miles with the same set up and I can hit 1400-1600 degrees. Keep in mind thats keeping the truck at a constant 60 up the hill. Hope it helps you out a little... .





Dustin

 

[JFitzgerald]

Thanks Steve and Dustin, that's the kind of info I am looking for. When I'm towing my gooseneck with the AC on in the heat, into the wind, etc. It's plenty easy to get into the "red" on the EGT gauge when climbing hills. I seem to have found a sweet spot for my pump settings (mainly timing) that help keep the EGT down so I can use the power.



My concern is - say I set up the non-intercooled motor in the crew cab up for about the same power, am I going to be able to use it? Hate to have to back off and let the Furds go by



The crew cab has the 4. 10's going for it, but I'd be tempted to offset that a little with some larger tires.

 

[dusthomps]

Fitz,



Realistically you should be able to have usable power running the highway and not worry about temps. Long grades are about the only place you may have to back off. Before I had my pyro I would hold the truck at 60 no matter what. Now with the pyro I realized on some grades I was probably pushing 1500-1600 for two or three miles. The 4. 10's will help out since you won't have to work the motor quite as hard as I do. So I'd say when you get it tuned to your liking, you should have no problem using the power. Just watch the temps in those hills... .





Dustin

 

[JFitzgerald]

It's been a while since I've posted much, and I was thinking about this post. Since I've had the crew cab for a few months and towed heavy with it a few times, I thought I'd post what I've learned. This truck has really impressed me. My concerns about power were more than satisfied the first time I towed my big trailer for a weekend trip. Had a . Apparently, the 4. 10 gears more than make up for any difference in power the intercooler makes. It's like I can't seem to make this truck break a sweat. It seems to pull the load effortlessly. Hills are topped much with much less throttle than the '93. It's no racer for sure, but it does what I need quite well. It also has a freshly rebuilt pump, so that probably helps. Better brakes too.



I'm really happy with it, and am getting parts together to lift it and replace the whole interior.