'85 Crew Cab 12v swap

[toymaniac]

I picked up a a '85 crew cab dodge short bed one ton truck to use as a tow rig about 2 yrs ago. It has a '97 12v cummins in it. The previous owner got the engine in but didn't hook anything up. I had to sort through the mess of wires and figure out where everything goes. I do have a '90 wiring harness from a diesel truck to work with. And yes, I will be getting it painted once it's running.

Pics:





In my driveway.



The engine:




Here are the stock front springs. I ended up replacing them.


Here is the sad state of affairs inside. This is where most of the work will happen.


One more for good measure:


I ended up putting in a nv4500 transmission as the tranny that came with the truck was a non-overdrive TF727 from a '90 first gen cummins. The axles have 4.10 gears, so a non-overdrive tranny wouldn't work.

Leni

[toymaniac]

Here are the motor mounts as they sat when I got the truck. The front is to the left in the picture:



This orientation causes the engine to be too far forward. The fan hits the bottom of the radiator bracket.

Here is how the motor mounts came out.



Lots of room for the fan now.

This is how I mounted the nv4500 to the '85 gas automatic tranny crossmember:



I also found a seal for the nv4500 output housing that fits the 29spline t-case adapter.





It's very thin but should keep the gear oil in the t-case out of the tranny.

As many have for sure noticed I have a NV4500 with an aluminum tailhousing. I could have swapped in a cast housing, but before doing that I chose to add a t-case support. I think it's stronger that the cast housing option:



Leni

[toymaniac]

Put a ford super duty intercooler in. I ended up chopping up the grille to make it fit. I will end up with an intercooled cummins grille and radiator support if I can find one.



I also found some early ford F-350 Alcoa wheels to put on it:



It is running and driving right now. Finishing up a few thinks like a tachometer and a/c. I will take some new pictures soon.

Leni

[rockbuggy4x4]

pics aren't showing up.

[dazedandconfused]

No pics

[RCCUMMINS89]

I WANNA SEE PICS...............

[pettyblue440]

I see the pics, looks good

[dazedandconfused]

Nice looking project.

[69HemiGTX]

Old thread, I know, but you're one of the first ones to find a seal for the 29-spline adapter. Did you polish the outside of the adapter? I know they're far from smooth, so I'd think they'd chew up a seal pretty quick.

[CumminsPower59]

There is really no need for that seal, as the transfer case input seal is a double lip seal...even then, how do you seal up the splined area inside the coupler? No need

[thrashingcows]

Old thread, I know, but you're one of the first ones to find a seal for the 29-spline adapter. Did you polish the outside of the adapter? I know they're far from smooth, so I'd think they'd chew up a seal pretty quick.

I was excited about that seal as well...then I read CumminsPower59 response.....Doooh!

There is really no need for that seal, as the transfer case input seal is a double lip seal...even then, how do you seal up the splined area inside the coupler? No need

Never really thought of that. Guess you could try some RTV silcone in the threads to help minimize the oil infiltration?