The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Disc brakes in a 1955 2-ton. NEED HELP!!!

I am hoping, by next year, I will get a 1955 Chevy 6400 truck from my grandfather, buy a 1994-1997 Dodge one ton donor truck and install a cummins diesel engine from that truck and need to know if I should leave this to the pro's. Do you need any kind of permit or licensing to do something like this? If not, how would I go about doing this conversion? Anything is help!

Hy 1955_Chevy_6400, There is a post right here in this forum about the same subject you are asking about, all you had to do was read the subject line of that post and you would have realized that. I feel you're jumping from one thing to the next on your proposed project, I would slow down and make a book which lists your proposed changes to your grandfathers truck, and then cost them out to see if you can afford to do what you're thinking of doing. Don't forget to include the cost of tools and equipment to accomplish your goals. I have always tried to operate on the 5P principle, Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance! I'm really not trying to throw a wet blanket on your enthusiasm I'm just trying to bring you back to reality.

As always 3B has excellent and timely advice.
Please consider it.

Grigg

I aprreciate that your watching out for me, but if you do not think I can do it, just say so! I know that these things cost time AND money. I know it seems like I am jumping from one thing to another, I just want to study up! I do not expect this to be cheap or happen overnight. But, how many people get to say they did a full blown engine conversion on a classic truck they started when they were 14?! Not many! I appreciate the constructive critisism though! And if you are referring to griggs sticky at the top of this page, it refers to the trucks in 1954 and years before that. I also do not want to swap axles unless I have no other option. I know you are not trying to be rude and neither am I, but why don't you try something new? Like maybe posting something positive? And also, I do not plan on a full blown restoration, and I do not plan on refurbishing the interior until later on. I just want to get the conversion done first, wait a year or two, and then refurbish the interior. In the last few weeks I have been putting together an expense report, but it is not complete. I do not plan on a supercharged drag truck or something. Sorry if I did not put in enough detail earlier! (Not being sarcastic)

Hy 1955_Chevy_6400, I thought about it for quite awhile before I posted to your question. I have obviously offended you, and that was never my intent. I have always been here to try and help people and solve problems where I can, I thought that was being "positive". I will not be trying something "new", but I will continue to do what I have done in the past, however I shant "bother" you any longer, I wish you luck with your future endeavors.

I did not mean it like that! I appreciate that you are looking out for me and others on the 'bolt! I just took it the wrong way and I apoligize. Sorry if I came across that way! I do not want to burn bridges over silly mis-understandings! I thought you were just trying to tell me I am being too un-realistc. Sorry about that!

I also thought a while before responding...

First off I enjoy helping people who are willing to help themselves and who if still confused can ask good questions. I hope that my past and future post and advice to you and others confirms that.

Now here's my opinion of the situation...
I'd say that you are indeed trying to jump in way way over your head. Before preceding with any of your proposed modifications you or anyone else would need a more than basic understanding of vehicles and all their systems and components as well as fabricating and machine shop practices. Ideally you'll also have more than basic skills and the experience to go along with that understanding.
This takes time and baby steps, I know because I've been there, and it's fun. Opening up a project with big dreams and little understanding or skill is not fun, I've been in over my head too.

All this talk on the forums of "swapping" parts around is nice.. or converting to get disc brakes, diesel engines, power steering, the list is quite long... my point is it's quite easy to read about. Problem is until you understand what's involved with any of those and even when you do they can be lots and lots of work, figuring, money, and time, lots of time. Making these changes on a basically one off basis is not easy, simple, or likely to be cheap; we're not playing with Lego's where everything fits everything else, or corvettes with a long list of aftermarket parts/improvements ready to buy and bolt on. This stuff is trial and error and ingenuity, takes understanding to make it work, a lot more that just saying "I'll swap a 6BT in there".

For example I've had a whole lot to learn and I tend to learn this stuff pretty quick.. I was very good with engines by the time I got out of high school, as a sophomore in VICA competitions (now SkillsUSA) competing against juniors and seniors I placed first in the state for small engines and 4th in the nation. I learned a whole lot from my shop teacher, from reading the manuals, from working on things with my hands, and absolutely nothing from reading forums.
A 4 year machinist apprenticeship later and I finally felt comfortable doing the from scratch disc brake conversion on my 1 ton, and I'll admit I learned most of that as I went. Then a few years later I started on the diesel engine swap and while it's basically done now 5 years after that there are hundreds of not thousands of little details and steps left before I have an essentially finished and usable truck. Not to mention the money it's taken and will still take to get there.

In short the truck you describe may certainly be achievable but not for a novice and not without several years worth of work, or piles of money to speed that up and or hire the work done for you.
If it's something you're really interested in I know from my experience that learning about and using the "stock" truck as it is for a few years can allow your understanding and skills to grow in hopes of catching up with your dreams.... but they never quite will and that's the fun part, you'll always learn something new.

Grigg

I agree! There is always something to learn! I do not expect this to happen overnight or on the cheap. That is why I asked if I should leave this to the pro's on this sort of thing. I appreciate all the help and advice!