My (hopefully) next truck

[m880cummins]

Just sold mine for 11k!

I guess that means for the engine:
ARP studs
o rings
steedspeed manifold
HX35/16cm^2 and HT3B twin turbo setup
P pump?
G5600 maybe

Charlie

[CumminsPower59]

Good deal!!!

[Mark Nixon]

Just sold mine for 11k....

Time to spend some money on a truck that is worth it.
Like a 24 valve 2nd gen or a 3rd gen.
YES, I am being

Mark.

[m880cummins]

I was really tempted to! Still kind of am!

I already have a deposit on that 92 and will probably stick with that. I am loyal to my first gens as they are without all the computer crap and still mainly mechanical.

Charlie

[PToombs]

Congrats! That's a big chunk of cash! Plan carefully and look for deals and it will go a real long way to modding the new truck.

[Mark Nixon]

I just re-read this thread and got the idea that the OP is going to probably have one of those gawd-awful shortbed crew conversions, where the rear floor is all hacked up.

IMO you you should start with a 4WD shortbed crew and be done with it. The closer to 1985 you get the better.
Why build an abortion, if you can build it right with a little searching for the correct foundation?

Mark.

[CumminsPower59]

I just re-read this thread and got the idea that the OP is going to probably have one of those gawd-awful shortbed crew conversions, where the rear floor is all hacked up.

IMO you you should start with a 4WD shortbed crew and be done with it. The closer to 1985 you get the better.
Why build an abortion, if you can build it right with a little searching for the correct foundation?

Mark.

^X2.

[m880cummins]

What the heck is the OP?

I mean, come on, 1" of body lift will minimize "hack" work which is kind of derogatory remark as it is all based on the fabrication abilities of someone. Besides there's how many MILLION dodge cummins trucks? I count at least a dozen each day I am on the road. Some must think these things are made of gold. They aren't XX code Dodge Charges or anything guys; just trucks and will do what trucks do.

If I found a crew short bed with next to no rust within 300 miles for less than $1200 I would do that but I don't think that will happen.

Charlie

[Mark Nixon]

OP=Originating (or Original) Poster.

As far as the comment about the 1st gens being "all over the place", last time I looked and tried to buy a complete one, it was harder than it was a year ago and the guy thought it was still worth 3k with the frame rusted in half.
Tearing up a decent truck to do a conversion is almost sinful, especially if it is "nice" and under 4k..

Mark.

[m880cummins]

Plenty of trucks....I saw 3 first gens today. There's quite a few around here I keep tabs on. These days most are clapped out and you just swap body panels on from another truck and drive another 300000 miles. Original body panels and such don't mean too much to me. As long as it isn't an R title vehicle I'm good. Even that 68,000 mile first gen that went for 18k last week will be driven some day just like the rest.

[Diesel]

So what is the plan again? Using an extended cab frame to make a crewcab shortbed? Wont your frame be too short?

[m880cummins]

An ECLB frame and a crew short bed are roughly the same length (+-1"). That is nothing to worry about and it will be getting chevy rear leafs anyway so spring perches will be relocated.

Charlie

[Mark Nixon]

Yes, technically they are the same LENGTH of frames, Shortbed Crew and Long Bed Club, but....

The problem arises due to the "dip" in the frame between the rear cab support bracket and and the front cab support bracket.
This dip helps to clear the rear of the cab to the frame.
A Crew Cab has a longer dipped section than an Extended Cab, so the cab sits where it's supposed to, however, the E/C is shorter in this area and the frame interferes with the floor.
Then, of course, you have to re-do the mounts for the box.

Several people have chopped the floors up to clear the frame rails and ended up channeling up the floor, but you lose some foot room and it doesn't look so hot, either.

Speaking of which, I found me a nice Crew Cab 4X4 dually for a hell of a price this week, just needs an engine.

Mark.

[The_Head]

Just sold mine for 11k!

Daaaamn! Where can I get so lucky?!

[m880cummins]

Well well well....

The frame is tweaked. I was looking at body lines and noticed the front drivers fender dipped down (plow truck) and then saw the spring bump stop was shoved over towards the engine. Someone must have rammed a pile with it and it just tried to fold the frame there.

Whatever....I guess I will get that 2wd cab and frame from the junkyard...

Charlie