1HI4x4's Crew Cab Short Bed Cummins

[JJAB]

I am about to begin a project similar to yours. I have purchased a 1985 crew cab long wheel base. How did you go about shortening the frame to accomodate the short wheel base bed? I have come across an article in the "Mike Pickup Garage", but I would like to know how you did it. Also, my truck is equipped with dual 20 gallon tanks. Will I be able to retain those or will I have to put short wheel base tanks in? Thanks!

Your truck is nice and representative of a lot of hard work on your part!!!Looks Good.

[Captkaos]

You need shorter tanks from a pickup.

Basically like this:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7334.0 OR
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/lwb_to_swb.htm

If you have a SWB bed, just mount it to the frame (cutting the rear 6" off) and you can tell where to cut it.

[1HI4x4]

If you look back on page 1 you will see a picture of the cut. You need to take 14" out of the frame and about 6" off the back of the frame, shorten the rear shaft, drop the mid shaft bearing about 3", and put a zig and a zag in the brake line to shorten it. I didn't use the side mounted tanks at all, I converted my truck to a Blazer/Suburban tank mounted between the rails in the rear. Mine is a 25 gallon but there are 40 gallon tanks available. My fuel fill is now inside the bed on the inner fender, used a generic radiator hose to route it up there. If you do the Bazer tank, you will have to relocate the passenger side shock to be like the drivers side(both leaning to the front). Took one afternoon to relocate the tank, and about 3 hours to cut down the frame.

[SmokeShow]

Wow, didn't realize you put the truck together yourself, I thought, for some reason, that you had bought it that way.  We have got to meet up sometime. Don't worry, I'll bring the towel to wipe up the drool.

I'm REALLY digging the dodge seats!  Got any pics of how they mount to the floor?


I'm gonna try my best to get the seats from my 06 extra cab 3500 donor truck in there, even the back seat mounted to the back wall.


I thought Garrick told me you were thinking of a Cummins.  Too bad you changed your mind on that.  An ol' torque big block gasser will suffice I suppose. j/k



C-ya bud

[1HI4x4]

The front seats were very easy, 15 minutes and in. The back one was a bear to say the least, but I was determined and it works like it should. The bottom comes up to create alot of storage if needed. I was going to the the Cummins swap, but after figuring on the cash and keeping my Auto OD(electronic), I(Butch Smith) could build a 600 ft. lbs.+ BB for a little less cash so that's why the gasser. I truely wanted to do a Caterpillar conversion but that was completely out of logic $$$$. Come by anytime, or wave me down in town. I'm pretty proud of it.

[Captkaos]

Come by anytime, or wave me down in town. I'm pretty proud of it.

And you should be...

[SmokeShow]

Yeah, I've only seen it around I think once... where abouts on Tyrone do you live?  I'm out that way pretty much every weekend as that's how I go to Lexington from the L'burg.

AH yes, the cat.  I forgot about that.  I think I remember you posting about that somewhere, now that you mention it.


Have you seen Garrick's yellow truck?  It is as nice a square body as I have ever laid eyes on.  The paint job is dang near flawless (PO was a auto body man by trade IIRC).  So sharp and full of GM big block!



C-ya bud

[1HI4x4]

I live on Lock Rd. before you get to Tyrone, Can't miss it Gambrel roof on the house and a garage that looks like a gas station behind it.

[Got Smoke?]

Wow I thought you bought that beauty that way as well!!!

You definately have a right to be proud of that truck!

[SmokeShow]

I live on Lock Rd. before you get to Tyrone, Can't miss it Gambrel roof on the house and a garage that looks like a gas station behind it.

Hey!  I seen you out riding in the truck today... You crossed 127 in front of me onto 151.  I tried my best to catch up but I was just too many vehicles back by them time I got the green to turn.  I seen you turn at Hadawreck but by the time I got there and ran up the road a bit, you were no where to be found.

Truck looked good!


oh, and do you have a grandson (sry, don't know your age)?  If so, my wife thinks he might be in one of her classes up at the middle school.  She's student teaching up there this winter.  Think his name is Clay??  She showed him pics of my truck and said his granddad has one that looks just like it.  That could mean anything but his last name sounded familiar and maybe this is why (though I can't remember what Garrick said yours is now - memory sucks sometimes)


C-ya bud

[1HI4x4]

I was headed out to my Brother-in-Laws, he is building a new house off of Puckett Rd.

I'm old enough to be a grandfather although I have a son that's 10 and a daughter that is 1.

Steve Lyons is my name. Sorry I missed ya today.

[1HI4x4]

I just bought a 1991.5(intercooled) Dodge Cummins 2wd. It has the A518 Automatic in it, 93,000 original miles, I plan on converting my NP205 to a divorced setup and using the Cummins/Auto from the donor. No electrics to fool with other than the Alt. and Fuel shutoff. I will be using the Dodge A/C compressor(changing the lines), and I will have to install a vacuum pump for A/C controls. Should get the donor home tomorrow. How about a hugger orange Cummins?

[1HI4x4]

Here are the pictures of the donor.

[nucknoel89]

Boy those old Dodges were butt-ugly ha ha.  Good luck with your swap!

[1HI4x4]

Boy those old Dodges were butt-ugly ha ha.  Good luck with your swap!

Absolutely.............