The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Diesel or not to diesel???? Reposted from Eng &DR line

In my short time as a beloved member of this forum group, I have come to the conclusion that everyone is sometimes willing to offer their perspective (opinion)on each subject. But I am requesting that you not be your normal reserved self. I want every ounce of input now before I start this crazy idea.

I have two 1960 chevy 4X4 trucks being delivered in the next two weeks.

One I am going to restore showroom stock.

The other I am thinking about restoring the body stone stock. The drivetrain however will be modified as follows.

Frame will be strengthend. Engine will be swapped for a cummins diesel. Allison six speed automatic Tranny/transfer case will be from a 2006 chevy that I saw in the wrecking yard. (Great place to get hair brained ideas)

Concerns,

Length of the engine,tranny,transfercase vs drive line issues.
Frame strength vs torque
Front spring rates and getting it all to set level.
Axel strength vs torque.

I was at a tow yard looking at what is going to be auctioned this Saturday and saw the wrecked dodge and chevy, both 2006 models sitting side by side. ZZZZZAAAAAPPPP! the idea entered my pea brain.

OK have at folks have at it.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Mike

I am not sure you can make the allison transmission with 3 computers talk to the cummins?
if you can figure it out, or know someone who has, or can, then go for it. Otherwise stick to a stock engine trans assembly.

What size truck (the old one) do you have? I would not do the swap with less than a 1 ton, although a 3/4 ton would probably be fine with some people. I don't know how you plan to "strengthen the frame" but I figure that the guys from the factory have done a better job engeneering a heavy frame from the start then you or I can do with a welder and a 1/2 ton frame. That's why I would start with 1 ton plus. By starting with a bigger truck you also get beefy enough axles and brakes to support the swap. Spring leaves can be added to the front to carry the extra weight.

I am currently doing a Detroit Diesel 4-53T conversion in a 48 chevy 2 ton. check the big bolts for the thread.
Grigg

Yeah Mike -- Grigg is our resident expert on diesel conversions. His thread covers a lot of ground that you will be going over, so you might as well start there.

Personally, I'd love to do a diesel conversion to my '49 4400, so I think your idea has merit.

John

Sounds good to me;I think you'd be money ahead to go with the tranny that goes with the engine though.
There's a guy up here who's done a couple of Dodge Cummins to Chevy truck swaps already,but he installed 'em in late 70's one tons. He's working on another one now;I'll try to get out there and look at some specifics. (He says the Cummins will even sit on the stock Chevy motor mounts in stock location.) He moves the rear crossmember about 6 inches,and uses the wiring harness from the Dodge,but not sure how much of it he uses. He says it's a project making room for the Dodge radiator,but when he tried using a HD Chevy one,it overheated,so he goes with the Dodge radiator.He runs the 5 speed manual tranny in his conversions.Basically,on the newer Chevies,it's nearly a bolt in. Don't know how different things would be on your truck,there's probably a little less room to make things fit.But,hey-you're a stovebolter-you'll make it run! Good luck!
Speed