1989 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

This is a customer's of mine's truck. It used to be a City of LA Power and Water truck and is rust free. It has a 6" lift on 35's with custom diamond plate here and there. The NP205 in it let go and he had been wanting to upgrade this thing for a while. He mows lawns and is a full time fire fighter. He had a 02 F-350 7.3 DRW super duty, but sold it to get away from the Ia DOT regulations for commercial use. He sold the 350 and TH400 from this burb, and purchased a 92 Dodge for a donor. we're using the engine, transfer case, and axles from the dodge for this. We're using a 47RH and we're rebuilding it as well. Here's some pics.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...r/IMG_0378.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...r/IMG_0368.jpg

Engine before pressure washing
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...IMG_0451-1.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...IMG_0450-1.jpg

Engine in burb for mock up
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0473.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0470.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0471.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0472.jpg

Right now I'm building the engine cross member and engine mounts. I will be using 1st gen dodge style, and using 2 per side. Let the fun begin!

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

The start of an engine mount
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0476.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0477.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0474.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0475.jpg

I have the intercooler out being widened and the new aluminum radiator needs to have bigger inlet and outlet installed in the tanks.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Working fast on it man! Take pictures of the mounts. I want to see how you plan on doing thr two per side. That's what you told me to do so I'd like to see how you accomplishment that!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Have you tried using the chevy mounts? thats whats in mine, been working great for 6 years. I've busted the square older dodge ones in my scout with a 4bt!
what happened to the 205?
looks like fun.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

man im digging that big yellow suburban.... i wish my garge would hold mine.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

I doubt you'd break them if you get the poly ones. They're a lot stronger. The 205 input broke. It'll be fun when it's running again. :lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

I'll take pics for you. They are going to look something like this when done.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_1508.jpg

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Those mounts look pretty stout. Looking forward to your take on how you do it!

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Those mounts are what I build for ford super dutys.

Here is some cross member planning. I will build this out of 1/4" steel, and it will be a boxed in unit.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0492.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0491.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0490.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0493.jpg

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Looks like a good plan. Do you just have the motor setting on jack stands in there? It also looks like your going to have to do something with the water inlet? It looks like the frame is in the way.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Yes, the engine is sitting on stands, and the trans is sitting on the trans cross member. I haven't decided yet what i'm going to do for the water inlet, but yeah, it's not going to work right now. :lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

must have it pretty low. I'm using that same water inlet on mine.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Yep, it's real low. Trying to keep u-joint angles and center of gravity lower. I might raise the engine up a little bit so I don't have to modify that inlet, but this truck has a weird firewall to floor flange. I had to cut 1.5" out of it and weld it back together to get the engine that far back. I've never seen one like it. I wish I would have taken pics before I cut it.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

I brought the engine up a little bit, and have been working on the engine cross member. It shouldn't be long now.

This is what your work area will start to look like when you do one of these. :lol:
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0506.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0501.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0500.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0499.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0502.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0503.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0504.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0505.jpg

The cross member will bolt in and will be fully boxed. It is made from 1/4" steel. The brackets in the frame are 1/4" as well. I doubt it will go any where. :lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

sweet!!! I want a cummins powered chevy truck.. Seems you are ALWAYS swapping a cummins in something lol. I am gonna load up my 87 crew cab, a dodge for parts and drop off at your place... You should have it done in about 3 days seeing how fast you move lol.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Looking good. How exactly are you bolting the cross member to the frame? It looks like you have ] shapes on the end of the cross member to go around the frame [?

PS: when are you bringing a trailer and picking up me and my truck and all its parts? :lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

3 weeks, yeah, IDK about that. :lol: I tell you what, these chevys make me love the 86 up fords. The fords you don't have to build a cross member like this. :lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Yes, I made [ pieces that the RH side slips in the frame, and on the LH side it sits on top of the frame rail flanges. These will be bolted to the frame, and then the cross member will bolt to these.

On the PS, probably when you are on 2 feet and not back on a bucket behind things with 4 legs. :uhmk::mm::lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

That makes sense. I guess you moved the engine up just enough for the water inlet to be used? I just went back and looked at pictures you sent me of my motor and noticed that its water inlet goes down. so I could probably set mine down in the frame a little lower?

... I dont even know how to respond to this. :lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Yes you can, or you can change the inlet as well.

And :lol: :waah:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

No I dont want to have to buy anything else for that motor! Seems like everything I am getting with it has to be changed for a dodge part!!!! :lol:

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

I've been working on this project, and making head way. I got the LH mount tacked together, and put the radiator support back on to make sure everthing still cleared. I removed the engine, and am now drilling holes in the cross member, and welding it up. I decided to go with a single mount on each side instead of two. I recently spoke with 2 old customers that I did conversions in 93-97 K30's, and they both wished their mounts weren't so rigid. They like that it's nearly solid, but don't like the entire truck shaking at idle. So, I decided to use one per side since this truck will more than likely see over 450hp, and the owner will daily drive it.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0528.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_0529.jpg

I ran out of wire, so I couldn't finish welding it up. Next thing is to get the axles out of the donor truck and get them ready for this.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Looks great buddy , you may want to add a little more support to the front steering box area while the engine is out . There is a a lot of stress on those thin C channel frames .
The push pull steering dose not work very well with GM's 4x4 design ... 2wd works fine .
Looks like a nice conversion , I have the 1990 cummins build over in the Blazer / Sub section .

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Nice project! Are you using the first gen intercooler, and what exactly are they widening on it?

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Thanks Greg. I was thinking the same thing on that area. I need to at least add a brace in there. I followed your burb build and it turned out awesome!

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Thanks. Yes, it is a first gen intercooler. I had the inside width from in between the inlet and outlet, widened 4.25'' so the intercooler will fit around the radiator support main braces. But still fit in between the head lamps and turn signals on the 88-91 set ups.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Looks great Dieselwrencher ... I used a aluminum intercooler out of a 2000 ford powerstroke , I cut and angled the inlet and outlet seems to work fine . I have seen guys use the 1st and 2nd gen intercoolers and that works fine also .

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Thanks Greg. I have a 7.3 intercooler, but it wasn't nearly wide enough. I didn't think of doing what you did, that is a good option though.

Today I got the dodge D60 under it. The owner wants to use the dodge steering box, so some mods to the steering shaft will be required. But the box its' self bolts directly on the frame. He is trying to find a pitman arm for a 6" lift for the dodge box. He is also looking for a steering box brace. I have to make some mods to the sway bar mounts, but I'm going to try and retain the chevy sway bar. Tomorrow I might try to do the rear axle. We'll see.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Thats why I had to cut and angle the inlet and outlet , worked fine with using the stock AC condenser .
I have use the 1st and 2nd gen but ran into fit issues doing a AC set up .
I think either way you will have to modify the core support .
Progress looks great ,look forward to seeing more ... Glad mine is done ...LOL

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

I want a Cummins in a Chevy truck, but I guess I can settle for the one in our Dodge.. someday. Cool build.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

looking good bud, im sure the rear axle will be a lot more fun than the front was.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Ok cool, that's what I thought. Lets see some pictures when you get it back.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

I've been working on welding the inside of the cross member and boxing it. I have it all welded up, now just to finish grind it, drill a couple more holes, and get it back in the burb.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Looking good Ryan!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Thanks Matt!

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Today I sweated my butt off grinding and welding the cross member up. 98* out, real nice. Oh yeah, and absolutely no breeze. Dang it man! this weekend some time I'm going to try to get the engine work done, and paint the engine so it can go in for the final time.

We got the D70 out from under the donor dodge, and the owner started cleaning it up prepping it to go in.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

Looking good man. Is the sway bar going to get hooked up? Or does it not line up because of the 1/4 inch difference in spring spacing?

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

The sway bar isn't hooked up yet because if you use a dodge axle, you need the upper retaining plates too. So I'm going to have to modify the sway bar mounting points. In other words, I can't just bolt it on like the chevy one was originally.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

That makes sense.

Re: 1988 Suburban "V Rig" Gets Cummins Power
 

that crossmember looks like it sticks down alot! how much lift is he going to run? might just be a visual thing.