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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: 79diesel on January 07, 2008, 04:13:14 pm

Title: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 07, 2008, 04:13:14 pm
Hey everyone im new to the site just thought id introduce my truck... 79 Sierra 5.9 cummins/NV4500 5 speed... originally a 350 diesel/th400
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/btruck2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/btruck1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/btruck3.jpg)

what do you guys think?
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: Captkaos on January 07, 2008, 04:28:02 pm
PICS under the hood please.  Looks great, welcome to the site!
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: VileZambonie on January 07, 2008, 04:38:12 pm
Welcome. Not a huge fan of the white roof or those mirrors. Any future upgrades planned? How do you like having that trans over the 400?
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: JRConnieK10 on January 07, 2008, 05:29:24 pm
Nice truck like to see under the hood. Always thought of changing my sm465 to a nv4500 for the overdrive I use to have 44" tires w/5.38 gears overdrive would have been sweet.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: 123 pugsy on January 07, 2008, 05:49:54 pm
Hi nieghbor. Welcome aboard from a fellow Ontarian. Nice truck.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: FlatBlack77 on January 07, 2008, 06:13:40 pm
dang man that is nice. I bet you can put alot of smiles on peoples faces with it. I like the white roof I'm doing that to mine in the spring. I think it will look good with flat white roof on a flat black body.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: locdogg on January 07, 2008, 06:52:51 pm
i like the white roof and the mirrors, makes it kinda look like a cowboy truck. 

 ;D
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: jonkmbll89 on January 07, 2008, 09:07:05 pm
Pretty clean truck you got there.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: 79diesel on January 07, 2008, 09:17:44 pm
yeehaw lol yeah the mirrors and roof make the truck they are staying... future plans are extensive lol


apart from power upgrades, in the near future i would like to change the grill..i would like to go billet but i also like the factory look and i want to keep the diesel emblem not sure how im going to swing that.. but the stock grill is boring and in rough shape.. any suggestions?

I have been seriously considering doing something with the rims and/or stance.. any ideas?
i really like the look of this truck
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/Truck5-5-0710.jpg)

 next winter i am planning on a 9" ford rear with some sort or traction aid (ladder bars or something) and 2.73 or 3.00 gears with posi because with the current 3.73 12 bolt i top out at 127 kmh lol but i still get 25 mpg. All of the finished pictures underhood and interior are on another computer but i will get them as soon as i can heres a couple of when i first set it in
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/Copyofgmcummins3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/Copyofgmcummins1.jpg)
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: 79diesel on January 07, 2008, 09:20:18 pm
Welcome. Not a huge fan of the white roof or those mirrors. Any future upgrades planned? How do you like having that trans over the 400?
well its alot more fun... but then again im putting out 3 times the tourque now  ;D everyone says it sounds like a  big rig with my straight pipe and 5 speed
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: JRConnieK10 on January 07, 2008, 10:41:49 pm
Wow the pic of the green truck just brought back some memories my dad had one that color when I was little he bought it new in 74 it was solid green and he had the two tone added I pulled the chrome peice off the tailgate by accident, man he whooped my butt. Back then you could spank your kids for that stuff lol
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on January 08, 2008, 11:16:12 pm
welcome aboard!  that truck is frikkin awesome!  i am a diesel FANATIC and the Cummins B-motor is one of my favorite all-time diesels, and your truck is my color too...

(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2297000-2297999/2297253_32_full.jpg)
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: FlatBlack77 on January 09, 2008, 09:17:03 am


I have been seriously considering doing something with the rims and/or stance.. any ideas?
i really like the look of this truck


Maybe you could drop it in the front and give it just a little rake. or put some taller tires on the rear. I think rakes look tough. and what about some Tourque Thrusts?
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: 79diesel on January 09, 2008, 09:24:52 am
welcome aboard!  that truck is frikkin awesome!  i am a diesel FANATIC and the Cummins B-motor is one of my favorite all-time diesels, and your truck is my color too...

(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/2297000-2297999/2297253_32_full.jpg)
thanks..your truck looks sweet too! a 4bt would fit nice in there  ;D
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on January 10, 2008, 09:47:42 pm
thanks man.  i might end up throwing a 4BT in there, but i really want either a Cummins or a DMax.  my truck is going the HD route...

but on a side note, why are my pics not showing up?  CarDomain isn't down and my pics show up fine on there, and the links are posted right...
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: Captkaos on January 11, 2008, 10:27:45 am
I see the picture of your truck on here, is there more?
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on January 11, 2008, 10:19:24 pm
no, that was it...but when i look at my own pics, i can't see 'em...it's doing it on FSC too...i dunno...as long as other people see 'em
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: Captkaos on January 12, 2008, 02:58:22 pm
Are you behind a firewall or proxy server?  Is this at home or at work?  Some companies block certain sites due to content.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on January 12, 2008, 07:18:28 pm
i'm at home, and oddly enough this issue just started...never had it before...gonna have to do some work to the computer tomorrow as it's my one day a week off...
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel
Post by: 79diesel on January 19, 2008, 05:01:12 pm
heres some pics right after the engine was in and running. These were taken in june.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/DSC01111.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/DSC01110.jpg)

heres the interior with bucket seats from a 94 mustang and you can see the size of the trans hump required. the carpet around the tunnel is unfinished still i am waiting to get some dynomat type insulation before i finish

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/DSC01113.jpg)

guage setup.. i need to replace the oil press and water temp guages with autometers as well as get a programmable speedo so i can hook into the electric sender on the NV

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/DSC00116.jpg)



Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: jonkmbll89 on January 19, 2008, 06:51:33 pm
What did it take to put the motor and trans in? I noticed that you had to redo the trans hump to make it fit. Did the motor mounts line up or did you have to modify them. That setup you got is cool and I thing I might do the same in the future but it might be in SWB. ;D
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 19, 2008, 07:13:18 pm
What did it take to put the motor and trans in? I noticed that you had to redo the trans hump to make it fit. Did the motor mounts line up or did you have to modify them. That setup you got is cool and I thing I might do the same in the future but it might be in SWB. ;D

custom motor mounts were made it took about a day to get the measurements and angles perfect. there is less then half of an inch clearance at the top between the hood and at the bottom between the steering and the engine. i used 1st gen dodge rubber mounts between the frame and the engine mounts. There is a company that makes the sells motor mounts for the conversion.
 i had to remove the fan to clear the rad at the front. The firewall needed no modifications. A transmission crossmember was made as well as the driveshaft was shortened and i used yoke out of a dodge driveshaft to hook up the NV. other then that it was pretty straight forward.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on January 19, 2008, 10:03:26 pm
lookin sweet!  now ya just need to get a custom-machined air intake tunnel made that has something cool on it like GMC Sierra with Cummins Turbo Diesel under it...looking all factory like that Dodge Ram does...
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: Captkaos on January 20, 2008, 09:52:49 pm
Sweet pics 79diesel!
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: JRConnieK10 on January 20, 2008, 10:54:12 pm
Cool pics  I bet that is a big shock when you pop the hood sweet install.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: Hank Hill on January 21, 2008, 11:19:02 am
I love your truck! Wish you would give more details of the Cummins conversion. Example what about your front suspension? How did you go about beefing it up for the weight of the Cummins? Fuel tanks, fuel lines, etc. what all was involved?
Do you have an estamate on total man hours for the conversion?
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: Blazin on January 21, 2008, 11:35:21 am
I missed this in the last two weeks or so. Welcome to the site from New Hampshire. I thought years ago that would be a nice swap into my wheeling rig, 81 Blazer.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 21, 2008, 02:56:46 pm
I love your truck! Wish you would give more details of the Cummins conversion. Example what about your front suspension? How did you go about beefing it up for the weight of the Cummins? Fuel tanks, fuel lines, etc. what all was involved?
Do you have an estamate on total man hours for the conversion?

thanks everyone
Front suspension was left untouched..i was told the springs for the diesel were heavier then the gas ones? im not sure. it rides very soft and has alot of body roll...and when you hit a big bump it bobs for a while lol. Its completely driveable but noticeable. I have the stock sway bar, im considering going to a larger one to help. I plan on one ton springs and shocks but im not sure if the springs will raise the front too much I may get 2" 1 ton lowering springs to correct it or get a set made. Nothing was beefed up but ideally if you could start with a 3/4 ton the front suspension and brakes would handle it alot better but hat being said it works fine as it is.

the cummins just uses a mechanical fuel pump on the block the only problem was that it was on the drivers side so i extended the lines around the front and back down the drivers side. the cummins uses a smaller intake line so i had to downsize but no big deal. other then that the stock fuel tanks arent an issue.

other then that lots of little stuff like i had to make an adaptor for the power steering line to go from the dodge fancy o-ring flare to the standard gm. The alternator required an external regulator, but you can get an internally regulated gm style one if you want. I used the dodge throttle cable but it had to be modified at the pedal end. i used the first gen dodge turbo downpipe it fit without any problem. also had to install a clutch pedal and master cylinder and reservoir. Thats about all i can think of

total man hours maybe 100? i had some good help along the way. The main thing is to take your time and try to do everything right the first time.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: jonkmbll89 on January 21, 2008, 07:15:52 pm
Can you make a video so we can hear what it sounds like? Thanks. ;D
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 21, 2008, 08:30:27 pm
Can you make a video so we can hear what it sounds like? Thanks. ;D
lol maybe in the summer time when its out of storage.. it sounds pretty mean...especially when i hit 30 pounds of boost ;D
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: Hank Hill on January 22, 2008, 02:48:32 pm
I guess its with the new electronic Cummins that it gets more complicated. Example I was told that they have a second fuel pump in the fuel tank. Have no idea if thats true or not.
Does anybody sell a crate non cumpeter controled cummins? What about a new one from Dodge or Cummins? Wonder what that would cost? Guess if a fellow looked hard enough they might find one at a wrecker. But second hand running Dodge Cummins trucks sell for Big $ in my area. Example an early 90s dodge cummins truck still running would sell for around $8000 in my area. Thats for a truck with probable 300,000 on it. To much money!
You could just convert your truck to 3/4 ton. Example salvage brakes/master cylinder, A arms,springs, etc from another truck.
Anyway you have one heck of a nice truck there!
Any trouble changeing the registration to diesel?
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 22, 2008, 05:34:14 pm
I guess its with the new electronic Cummins that it gets more complicated. Example I was told that they have a second fuel pump in the fuel tank. Have no idea if thats true or not.
Does anybody sell a crate non cumpeter controled cummins? What about a new one from Dodge or Cummins? Wonder what that would cost? Guess if a fellow looked hard enough they might find one at a wrecker. But second hand running Dodge Cummins trucks sell for Big $ in my area. Example an early 90s dodge cummins truck still running would sell for around $8000 in my area. Thats for a truck with probable 300,000 on it. To much money!
You could just convert your truck to 3/4 ton. Example salvage brakes/master cylinder, A arms,springs, etc from another truck.
Anyway you have one heck of a nice truck there!
Any trouble changeing the registration to diesel?

thanks! you can buy a long block from cummins for about 10k  :o.. they should still have alot of running left at 300k if they were taken care of but yes they arent cheap. I got mine from a buddy that put the newer style inline pump cummins in his 91 dodge. my truck was originally a diesel so it was already registered as one. Its pretty cool because it still has all the diesel badging on it. I have considered going to  3/4 ton suspension but i would like to stay with 5 bolt wheels and i would like to run a really steep gear in the rear end so will probly run a 9" ford.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: okuma on January 22, 2008, 08:45:10 pm
WOW THAT GREEN TRUCK IS JUST BEATIFUL I WAS SPEECHLESS FOR A MINUTE. i could not find any defects on it...WOW.

it looks like an ad picture from a brouchure...nice.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 27, 2008, 07:33:25 pm
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/high_octane94/DSC01113.jpg)

could someone tell me the official colour of my truck? exterior and interior colours
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: HAULIN IT on January 27, 2008, 08:09:54 pm
Cool Truck! I'm not real familiar with the Dodge or Diesel for that matter. Is this an intercooled turbo? Are you really running 30 psi of boost? Is this stock for this motor? Did you have to cut the rad support & move the rad ahead? I like the way you have been trying to keep it "stock" looking, gauges,ect. Good Job! If you are going to change to a 9" rear, the housing & axles out of a '75 -'77 Town car is the right width & has the same 5 bolt pattern as your truck. Most had big disc brakes & a posi, parking brake has a lever on the caliper (not bad to adapt) Most are 2.75 gears, but some were 3.00. You could allways change the "pig" if you don't get the one you want. Have fun with your project, Lorne
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on January 27, 2008, 08:43:12 pm
well, mine was called "Light Bronze Metallic".  not sure what it was called in 1979...the brochure doesn't really show anything...
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 27, 2008, 08:52:40 pm
Cool Truck! I'm not real familiar with the Dodge or Diesel for that matter. Is this an intercooled turbo? Are you really running 30 psi of boost? Is this stock for this motor? Did you have to cut the rad support & move the rad ahead? I like the way you have been trying to keep it "stock" looking, gauges,ect. Good Job! If you are going to change to a 9" rear, the housing & axles out of a '75 -'77 Town car is the right width & has the same 5 bolt pattern as your truck. Most had big disc brakes & a posi, parking brake has a lever on the caliper (not bad to adapt) Most are 2.75 gears, but some were 3.00. You could allways change the "pig" if you don't get the one you want. Have fun with your project, Lorne

thanks! its a non intercooled motor, and yes my max boost is 30psi. Stock is around 15. I have turned up the pump quite a bit and also have a free flowing intake and exhaust. The rad did not need to me moved at all i just removed the fan from the eninge and i have about 2 inches of clearance.

After doing some more research i am thinking i will change the suspension/rear end to a 3/4 ton setup as suggested and use a 14 bolt sf rear instead of the 1/2 ton 9" idea. I have a complete 86 3/4 2wd for a donor already. This way i get bigger brakes, stronger front end (balljoints, bearings, sway bar etc), stiffer springs, larger driveshaft, everything bolts right in, and i can use the different style emergency brake cables so i wont have interference on the NV4500. 3.42 gears, auburn lsd, caltracs, and i chould be able to hook up. Also thinking of using the pre 99 F-250 16" 8 bolt wheels because they look almost identical to my current ones.
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: Captkaos on January 28, 2008, 12:17:26 pm
could someone tell me the official colour of my truck? exterior and interior colours

Looks to be Dark Carmine Red / Saddle (Tan)  Any codes in the glove box?
Title: Re: my 79 Sierra diesel *new pics added
Post by: 79diesel on January 28, 2008, 02:56:41 pm
Looks to be Dark Carmine Red / Saddle (Tan)  Any codes in the glove box?
ok thanks... ill have to look at the codes next time im home