Well, Ive been thinking about getting something bigger than my '74 Ford so I could take the wife and my three daughters out hunting and fishing more. I was back and forth between a Bronco and a Crew when I sorta fell into this.

Sweet!

Details?

35s
3" body
44 up front
60 out back
built 460 with 429 heads
c6
205
4.10s

The old one.

At least gas is cheap.

Is the new one a 250 or 150?

Haha. It actually does better than the 390 in the old one. The 4x4 Crews were all 250 short beds.

jelousy , Nice truck is that even Leagal in California?

It's legal, but i don't know if it's leagal.

Drop a 12 valve cummins into that thing and your set for life

Nice! Chain steps for the wife and daughters?

Why the 12 valve cummins?

It is a simple conversion, they only have one wire to operate the engine (fuel solenoid shut off), the engines are easy to mod for more power, and a near bullet proof reputation once you tab the killer dowel pin.

Combine that with great mileage and the fact that you can run em forever you'd be set

What's a "killer dowel pin"?

Dang, you are going to be accosted by a pack of wild priuses if you drive that in their midst

Gotta admit a 12 valve Cummins would sure put you in tall cotton with that rig. It most likely would still be running when you got your 1st social security check.LOL

During engine assembly, a steel dowel pin is pressed into the block to precisely locate its timing-gear housing. Over time, vibration can cause the pin to work its way out, and because it's made of steel, there is no working its way through the engine. To fix the KDP you have to tab it. This was the weakest point of the 12 valve. Mine was tabbed within my first 100 miles of ownership

What is the tranny of choice with the 12 valve swap? Might have to start looking into this and make this an out of state rig.

An NV4500 is a 5 speed and will bolt right up to it. The problem is that it won't really handle a ton of horsepower. You can get a lot of HP out of the 12 valve if you want to, it's cheap and easy power.

I have kept my 12 valve basically stock and I get 20+ mpg on every tank. My NV4500 does great and all I did was upgrade the 5th gear nut

So how about an auto tranny? Kinda diggin the C6. Don't want any extra power, just torque for pullin stuff. 20 plus mpg would change the way I live!

If it were me, I would get a 47RH auto from Dave Goerend and his converter. It will be bullet proof for anything you are planning to do. I have a 47RE and his triple disc converter in my Dodge. It has pulled a 12,400 lb trailer flawlessly and handled some hardcore chassis dyno sessions without a burp.

huntsonora is right. The KDP can be an issue with some of the 24 valve Cummins, but it is mainly a 12 valve problem. It is an easy fix with the engine out or in a truck because I had to do one in my RV which I couldn't see without using mirrors. If I could do it like that, then being able to see what you are doing would be much easier.

My RV had about 35,000 miles on it at the time. It was a hard 35,000 considering what it has to move plus I use it to pull a very heavy trailer when we race. The dowel pin should be flush to slightly recessed from the factory. Mine had already worked out about a 1/4". It will do a number on the timing gears and case if it comes all the way out.

The kit is only about $60 to $75. It is more labor intensive than anything. I decided to put a Fluidampr during reassembly. I have one on my 24 valve Cummins that really quietened it down. I don't believe the horsepower claims from Fluidampr, but I do feel it is good for the long term longevity of a diesel engine.

That truck with the Cummins would be amazing!

Sweet rig man!

Well ya basstard(!), your post got me thinking and after a ton of research, I snagged a '93 12v and I'm planning on dropping her in this winter. Only had 150,000 miles on it and the price was good so I jumped on it. Tabbed the KDP the other night. Just found a low mileage Allison. Need a Superduty intercooler, adapter kit and a few various parts and I'll be in business. Thanks (I think?) Haha.

She's getting there!

Dude!!!!! You did it! I haven't seen this thread since early summer and didn't realize you found a 12 valve! That truck is going to be unfreakingreal when you're done with it!

that is cool, a 70's Ford with a 6BT is a marriage made in heavan

That really is pretty awesome!!

you are building my dream truck, I've followed several builds like this over on fordtrucks forums.

Go man go!!

Awesome truck.

How was your roof? seems to me the roofs were a weak spot on the old crews?

That thing is so bad ass it's unreal. Nice work! and it looks like it was a lot of work!

Can this be done with a 7.3l powerstroke?

This was my first thought, but a Cummins gets better fuel mileage (18-20mpg), is way more abundant (cheaper), fits good, doesn't need a computer to run and can generate more power cheaper. Not to mention a ton of guys have done the swap and have laid down a good road map.

The floor pans were it for rust. Everything else is solid.

I ended up going with the stock Dodge auto trans. I can replace it roughly six times for what it would have cost to go with the Allison. Just wasn't feasible.

Things left to do

Mount/plumb the 38 gal tank
Mount the divorced 205-order drive lines
Pressure test radiator and mount it-figure out hoses
Drill holes and bolt up inter cooler-figure out hoses
Mount two batteries and wire everything
A/C - trading the old 460 to a friend to put this in along with the trans cooler lines and hydro boost brakes.
Floor pans (half done)
Dynamat
Exhaust

I'm gonna run the 44 up front until I find a 78-79 D60 for the right price.

Thanks again for all the compliments and encouragement.

Looks great...

Damn... sweet rig.

I didn't think they even put the 44 in the F250's. I thought it was the 60 right away. I might have a 60, but I'll have to check, though I'm only 3000k miles away, so that probably won't help you much.

You're building a truck a guy could have for life. Nice work.

60's were only in the Sno Fighter and Camper Specials if I'm not mistaken. Easy to tell by looking at the knuckle. Should be cast into the pumpkin as well. If you have ball joints (and the axle is original) it's a 44.

What's your goal for completion?

That 44 will serve you well for a long time if you don't do any "sky wheelies"

Hoping to be done by the end of February.

Define "done"

LMAO!!

these things are never done!

snort

I think he means he wants to drive it in Feb.

Like I want to drive my roadrunner this spring.

Done?

Hell no.

Never

I intend to be done with the Cummins swap by then. There are a ton of little things I have planned that can be done after it is drivable.

Cool rig, how much do you think the engine swap will set ya back?

Here is a build thread with more pics and a run down of costs.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1090346-1978-ford-crew-cummins-swap.html

Looked at your thread. Really nice work. You have excellent fabrication skills...and stamina. That is so much work!

When I was young I found ways to have a life AND do engine swaps. At 68 I no longer have the energy for such a project and would seek another avenue. Even though I find the Ford cab more desirable, Dodge has offered Cummins for a good long while and I've had good service from Dodge; better from Ford; not so much from GM.

I read your other thread. You did some fantastic work and your welds look great. Someday I hope to get somewhat servicable with the welder...yours were great.

I really like the truck. It could be my favorite one Iv'e seen. Truthfully.

Thanks fellas. Wish I could take all the credit, but I have had the help of a few good friends who work for Coors Light and Crown Royal. The welds on the motor mounts are my Miller 130 cranked up all the way in the hands of a guy who gets a ton of practice. My welds stick stuff together, but they don't look that pretty until the end of a project.

Damn, that truck is awesome!

Thanks for the compliment, but even more so, thanks for your service!

Got the floor pans in. Gas tank is in, just needs to be plumbed.

Wow! What a lot of work!

This all looks so familiar.

Nice work!

Here is some inspiration for you, the "Fodge" is one of the baddest trucks around IMO...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=864848&highlight=fodge

Yeah man, that things cool. I saw that a while back. I really like the way he tied the boxes into the bed.

Got these done today (finally).

Had not followed for a while.

Very slick...and love the Cummins swap.

Got to Ford Cummins.com drop a 24valve in her. Add a DANA 60 up front and DANA 70 to the rear and go.

???

Got her rolling down the hwy! Anyone know how to post videos from my iphone?

Email them to me and I can upload it to you tube, at least I think I can.

I'll pm you my email address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOBRzZ3Ul9g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Lets try this...

Yer Badda$$! Thanks again. If you ever find yourself near Chico CA, beers on me.

That's a heck of a rig, brother! Wish I had the mechanical skills to accomplish something like that.

Turned out badass. Did you find oout your real life mpg yet?

Took her on a voyage north last week. 505 miles 15.4 mpgs.



Shot 900 rounds. Not bad seeing as they haven't even cut yet!

What gears you running in the big cummins ford?

4.10s

Did you head up into Modoc county for some beldin rat shooting?
I lived in Chico for 12yrs.

Yeah man. Haven't had that much shooting up there in years. Usually we spend the first day trying to find a good spot. The first place we set up we were still shooting 10-11 hrs later. Good time. Glad I had UBC'd my bbls.

How about tires? I'm running 4.10's too but my tires are 235/85 (around 31.5 to 32" tall)

I run around 2660 RPM at 60 mph. I'd really like to run under 2500 at cruise speed.

A couple of the tires I'm seriously considering are 255/85R16 which is around 33.3" tall, and 215/75R16 which is just shy of a 35" tire. Basically a 35x12R16.

I am concerned about the width of the 315/75, I really shouldn't mount them on my 7" factory wheels.

Anyways, what I'm getting too is I'm also considering a gear change, thinking maybe 3.73's....

I'm running 35" KM2's. I have no idea what I'm turning at 65 but it's up there. The stock torque converter in these trucks are 75% efficient so I'm winding her even faster than necessary. The TC I'm going to get is something like 92% efficient.

Getting ready for hunting season.



Camping last weekend. The girls loved it. They even slept in the back.

This sure made me smile. Cute.

That trucks dialed.

Picked this up Friday. Had to drive to Portland to get it. 17hrs round trip. Kinda sucked, but the price was right. I'm going through the whole thing and hope to have it going in a few weeks. High steer to come.

Keep us updated. I love your truck.

I've been making progress on this old junker. I bead blasted the D60 and painted it. Bought all the parts and got her tore down. Got the king pins replaced and that's where it sits.

The thing that I'm really excited about is the adventures we have planned in the next few months. First up is a get away with my wife to the coast crab fishing. My folks are taking all three of our daughters to visit my twin brother in Minnesota and we are taking full advantage. Second is a trip to Modoc County for some Sage Rat shooting with my two youngest. I have been wanting to do a sleeping platform with a custom roll out tool box as the base, but it'd be expensive and just isn't in the cards right now.

So, with these trips looming, I figured I had better get cracking on a storage solution as well as a place to sleep. It aint anything you fellas haven't seen before, but I am pretty excited about making some memories with my girls.


Since I don't have a tailgate I felt these would be a good addition. What do you guys think?

So cool, did the 60 come with 4.10 ratio in it?

No, but I got set of new gears off craigslist last year for cheap.

Good deal.

You're build is inspiring.

When I picked up this big cracker box I said "needs a 12 valve and a manual trans"



I'd be ok with an auto too, but I'd really like to pluck the 460 someday and drop in a 12 valve (if I keep it)

I hear ya on yanking the 460. I'm really glad I got rid of mine. 9 mpg on the freeway and 6.2 in town was getting old. I'm getting 18 mpg now with the 12v and I haven't done the low stall converter yet. The power this thing puts out is pretty impressive and working on it is a breeze.

On another note, I got these finished just in time for snow camping this weekend.

excellent!

Back from camping. Woke up to 5 inches on the ground. Made some great food in the Dutch Oven, but more importantly made some great memories with a couple girls that will never forget.

Very cool!

Wow great rig and heck of a camping trip!

Man, I am getting so close to being done with the 60 swap! Darn thing has fought me for two weeks. Hoping to have it done next week before we head over to the coast for crab. I've gone through everything on it. I even got the u-bolt kit to get rid of the factory bolts that are upside down and backwards.

I sure appreciate the encouragement fellas. Sometimes it's the only thing that keeps me going on this long drawn out project. I keep making progress though. And after our snow camping trip to Lassen, I'm pretty amp'd up about getting her finished. Hell, she won't never be truly finished. But a fella can dream can't he?

Your truck is so badass!

Haha! That's the spirit.

Thanks to Huntsonora, I got her in.

Chasing crabs on the coast in the crew cab.

Glad I could help

Off on another adventure. Chasing bear this time around.

Cool rig Higbean. Have been trying to round up a 12v for my '73 F-100, but money and availability never seem to work out at the same time. Having another kid didn't help either. Oh well, will just hang on to it as is and wait it out.

Thanks for all the pics, and that other build thread is cool too.

Had to take my old VW into the shop today. Poor old thing has been sitting a few years. Really a great hunting rig. We put down the windshield and shoot ground squirrels. When it gets slow, we just move up a little.

That truck is just perfect! Dig those "things" too!

[img]http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/...BD-6657-000009921798AAAB_zpsdac46bbf.mp4[/img]

Video of last weekends trip home from deer camp cleanup day. It was a great weekend. Rained all day Saturday which made it pretty interesting in a few spots in the trail. Truck did great though. It's awesome to be able to just creep along with all the torque behind the Cummins. The limited slip in the 70 is darn good too. It's also nice not having to worry about getting a distributor wet!

First of all, don't ever sell that truck! Secondly, dibs if you do

Second dibs since you'll have to sell a fleet of Toyotas first.

No need to call dibs fellas. I'll start the bidding off at what I have into it and we can go up from there! Haha!

Funny thing about projects like this. They are never worth what you have into em, but they sure are fun. Had a college kid at a gas station get bent the other day when he offered me $5k for it and I told him he could go get himself a real nice Subaru for that much.

What a great truck!!!

After looking through the build I kept chuckling about this post.

AMEN!!!!

I LOVE the old fords. My '96 cummins (extended cab 4x4 with 35's) got 21 miles/gallon on the freeway. You made a damn wise choice with that one. Work looks great too!!

I'd have to say it was pretty simple. But it was a lot of work. As it sits now, I have more wires (2) going to the trans OD solenoid than the motor. If I ever did another one it would be pretty easy honestly.

Here is my latest predicament.

Gotcha. Looked pretty involved to me, but that's probably more a reflection on my skills, or lack thereof!!

Kickazz truck, regardless!!!!!

Here's the reason I pulled the trans. I figured it was broken, but I had no idea it would be broken completely, yet still be work. Yikes! Glad it didn't come apart. The middle section is stuck in there and won't come out but it is cracked entirely around.

Trans is being rebuilt with all the bells and whistles, low stall converter, shift kit and heavy duty flexplate.

Well, it has been my week! I got the trans back in and everything works great. Shifts are firm but don't break your neck. Need to adjust the 2nd gear band a little as it is hanging a bit going to 3rd. But here is the good news. I'm getting 19.5mpg!!!! From 12.5 to 19.5 is a heck of a jump. 7mpg for the lay person.

On another high note, I picked up this for $500 on Monday. Friend called said a buddy was selling some tools and stuff. I hustled over there and, well, I scored big time. I knew these were expensive, but it wasn't until I got home and a friend stopped by and looked it up that I realized just how much these go for.

Oh, you suck! Heck of a grab!

Is that a KRA or a KRL?

KRL.

You doubly suck. Way jealous here...

Had another great weekend in the old crew. Took our annual trip to shoot ground squirrels and took my 11yo daughter. She did great! Really enjoyable having her along to join in on the fun. Didn't whine or complain about anything and did really well handling the gun all on her own.


The wind was horrible yesterday. Constant 25 with gusts upwards of 35 I'd guess. Sitting out in the sun while the wind blows dust in your face and the shooting is a little slow can really be a downer. But she hung in there the whole time and was excited to shoot more on Sunday. My buddy that came with us was impressed. Here she is having a fantastic hair day.


We hit a deer (yearling doe) on the way up at about 60-65. I saw her and scrubbed a little speed but I still wasted her. She hit the right front of the bumper which bent and whacked the fender. Left fur on the tie rod end, drag link end and front shackle. Kind of a bummer, but I was glad we were in my big ole junk pile.

I'm still loving the shell. It really makes it nice having room for all the crap we end up taking on our hunting trips. I have it almost down to a science as far as juggling all the stuff. With the sleeping platform, the hunting stuff fits underneath, ice chests get strapped to the side (and are accessible) and the sleeping stuff gets left in a tent at the campsite. It may not be the best looking thing, but man it sure works good. Fuel mileage was down quite a bit, but a 20 mph headwind wasn't helping it out any. That and I was hauling butt most of the time.


"Dad, that's a big drawer."
"Yes it is. I bet you could fit in there."
"Could I eat my lunch in there?"

Way cool, man. What's your kid shooting? .22 Mag? Hornet? .17 HRM?

.17hmr in a Ruger 77/17. Great little gun and it fits her good. Need to swap scopes as the Leupold is too hard for her to adjust the power. Dumb.