My Cummins conversion project truck

[porter858]

Great job on your project! Glad to see you're up and running. I'm starting a similar swap using a 96 12v with a 47RE into a 70 F-250 4x4, for now with a Dana 24. I was looking at the Ididit brand Steering Columns since they show a 4sp application. How did you get your stock steering column to work with the Dodge transmission detents? Or is the OD 4th on a button or toggle?

[duckbill59]

Porter858, Thanks for checking my posting out and the kind words. The detents took a little "adjusting" to get the 1, 2, & 3 to match between the ford column and the dodge transmission and then the 4th or OD is done with a pressure switch off of a pressure port on the side of the transmission. So it works automatically except when I have manually over ridden it for heavy towing using a pushbutton on the dash. I wished mine had the lockup converter also but the donor truck didn't come with it and I didn't want to spend any extra on it at the time. Good luck with your project. Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer them!

[duckbill59]

Let me just say that the Cummins conversion in my truck has been worth every minute of time and every cent spent on doing the conversion! It starts easily, runs great with plenty of power, and even gets decent mileage compared to the original drivetrain. I have accidently had the local landscaping place load a little too much in the truck and it reacts easily to it (except for the wandering)!! During some really cold days here in Washington this winter so far (sub 20 degrees) it started without the intake heater hooked up although it smoked a little more than normal for a while. The only improvements planned for the drivetrain will be the addition of the NP205 divorced transfer case and a support bracket for it. I feel a little vibration happening during hard takeoffs especially when loaded down. I will have to get around to hooking up the relays for the intake heater as well. Haven't got around to any body work or paint yet so I have no new pictures worth showing right now but hope to have some soon .

[FormerMarine1981]

I just read your build, Your truck lipids awesome. I'm glad it is working ot for you and look forward to your other updates.

If that's your cabover lets see some more of it!!! That would be a sweet project as well.

[71highboy]

very cool

[67mann]

1st time that I've seen this thread ,but NICE JOB....you really pulled off "almost stock look"

[thenephilm]

being that its a chevy hydroboost, was the pressure of the dodge pump versus the chevy any different, especially using a ford steering box?

[duckbill59]

To be honest with you, I never questioned that. My main concern was how to tie the return lines together at the pump for both the,steering box and hydroboost. What I can tell you is that it works pretty flawless! It made a huge difference as compared to the original setup.

[averagef250]

being that its a chevy hydroboost, was the pressure of the dodge pump versus the chevy any different, especially using a ford steering box?

GM and dodge both use the same saginaw PS pumps. Ford E series uses them as well. Older Ford stuff with the poorly designed Ford pump usually operated at pretty low pressure < 1000 PSI. Saginaw pumps run around 1500, medium duty and class 8 trucks run up to 2200. Any PS or hydroboost will operate fine at 1500. Get closer to 2000 and many boxes will start leaking from their seals.

[thenephilm]

ah that is very interesting to know. I plan on swapping a cummins in my 66

[gregamorton]

what is the bag setup on the back? Is it one of the universal kits for our trucks? I am working with 8" or so space with the duals on my truck.

[duckbill59]

The bag system came from the donor truck. Once I had the new lift springs installed on the Ford, I modified the mounting brackets to work with the Ford frame and suspension. I've never used airbags until this project and now think they are the greatest thing!

[duckbill59]

I have since installed polyurethane tranfer case mounts and all vibrations related to the drivetrain has disappeared! I did this a few months back after driving the truck a few more miles and noticing what a difference it made, there are no longer any plans to change to the NP-205 transfer case for me. Just some rust repair on the body and some paint and I will be content! As far as I am concerned, the diesel should have been offered from Ford at the time!

[Mellowyellow]

New to the forum,

I actually came here for research to do a similar project. I just wanted to say youve done a great job you should be proud. Modifications while still maintaining the original look was very well executed.

My plans are a little different. I plan on cheating and just puting the body of my 71 on a 96 dodge chassis. Im not sure if it will actually be much easier in the long run but the 71 is 2wd and i want 4wd so im going to give it a try. I expect to have to shorten the wheel base and also move the engine back 6 inches.

If it looks anything like yours when im done i will be a happy man.

Also really liked that you where able to use the ford gauges.

Great job and thanks for taking the time to show us the build as it has already been a great resource for me.

[duckbill59]

Thanks much for the compliment on my build. It was alot of fun to do and without forums like this one to learn from, would have been a bugger to do! I wish you well on your project. I was going to say that the "Trucks" show used a Dodge chassis and mounted a Ford body on it but it was a newer Ford body, extended cab or 4 door, and I don't remember the chassis being a 4X4. Thanks again for commenting on my build!