***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Hello everyone,

I have been lurking around here for years and I am finally ready to start my own build thread!

The truck I am building started out life as a 1972 2wd long bed 1/2 ton inline six 4spd with 90k miles that I bought from the original owner. The truck has some sentimental value to me since it was originally purchased at our local chevy dealer.

7 years ago when I bought the truck my dream truck was a 72 swb cheyenne super, and me being a huge cummins fan I naturally wanted it to be powered by a cummins.

So after everyone telling me not to build my 72 lwb 2wd into my dream truck I am doing it and couldnt be more excited:devil:

Here are the plans SWB fleetside, one ton axles, 12v cummins, nv4500, 29 spline np205 ( suspension height still undecided) after everything mocked up I want to get it on the road and drive it for a while then tear it all apart and powder coat the chassis and finish paint, body interior etc.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

On to some pics

The Truck when I started

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/DSC_0040.jpg

Found a 1993 12v cummins locally

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/c50a8281.jpg

Replaced oil pan gasket, front seal, rear main seal, front cover seal, intake gasket, valve cover gaskets, lift pump all from cummins. I also tabbed the KDP and added a 24v intake manifold.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/c59683c6.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/4e4fa65d.jpg

Picked up a 1995 nv4500 minus bellhousing.( needs a new countershaft)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/2c2286c9.jpg

Finally found a bellhousing and adapter.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/d6066129.jpg

29 spline np205 out of 1992 cummins

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/83c4bb6a.jpg

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Bolted everything together so I can get it mocked up, still need a clutch and trans rebuild. And need to paint up trans and tcase.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/58cf7d77.jpg

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Bought a 1977 single rear wheel to part out for the axles. D60 and 14 bolt.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/33acb5a3.jpg

1972 swb 4x4 frame, already por15.Bolted up new axles with 6" front leafs I had laying around with stock rears until I decide on suspension height.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/58539117.jpg

And mounted up cab and front clip.(still needs 4x4 body mounts to sit level with bed and perches not welded on rear axle in pics so isnt quite centered.)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/153edcd9.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/ce0f8e83.jpg

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

That pretty much brings everyone up to date, Im hoping to get the motor and trans mounted up soon and start some sheetmetal work on the bed.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Off to a get start with this project. So how much do you have into project now money wise? I'am in the same boat as you, but you are farther along than me. I was thinking of a cummings swap, but just too costly for me to do. So i decided to do BBC swap instead. Can't wait to see more on this project. Are you reinforcing frame at all?:chevy:

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Thanks I am pretty excited. I am into this project for a total of $2,000 out of pocket as of today, and that includes original purchase of truck. I have parted out a couple trucks to recoup money and have done pretty well. My goal for the build was to get it on the road for $5000.

A cummins swap can actually be pretty reasonable if you keep an eye out for good deals and sell off what you dont need.

I just picked up a sheet of 1/4" plate and some 2x4 steel to build crossmembers and box sections of the frame. I plan on boxing a 12" section where the engine crossmember will be and a 12" section where the trans crossmember will be.

Does anyone have any input on how much of the frame I should box? any well known weak spots? Plans for the truck will not include any wheeling, no tires over a 35", around 400hp max. Pretty much a truck I can drive on the street regularly and tow a ski boat and car trailer with.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

this is going to be cool!

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

My dad bought a 3/4 4X4 ton for $3500. A BBC would eat that in gas pretty fast these days!

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

This weekend I got motor mounted and trans crossmember done. Just gotta do some more boxing and finish welding.. Ill get pics up tomorrow.

Everything went well, just have a little interference with turbo and heater core. And trying to decide what to do for driveshafts.. Any input on what to use and have shortened?
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

I Go shopping at wrecking yards. I just look for a good straight one that is longer. And have drivline service in West Sacramanto shorten them. we have been having them do our Big truck drivelines for over 20 years.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Thanks mknittle, I was thinkin about starting with a 73-87 one piece from a 4x4 and getting it shortened... As long as it will bolt up to my 29 spline np205.

Hows your build going?
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Did you just build your own engine crossmember then? Waiting for pictures...... Ha

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

So we picked the only weekend this year we got snow to mount the motor in the truck. But we went through with it and put up a easy up and went to work.

72 loaded up and tanking it to my buddies shop who helps me with most my fab work.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/70c22137.jpg

Front clip off

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/46fc95e5.jpg

I bought some second gen cummins motor mounts and made mounting plates out of 1/4" plate.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/153cb492.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/f3bd2fe9.jpg

Plates are fully weled inside and out. Plan to box frame rails front and rear of mounts and build new engine crossmember.
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Motor is off set slightly to passenger side. And angled back 5 degrees.

Built a trans crossmember using stock nv4500 mount. But had to make the piece that goes between trans and mount.

The crossmember is removable and the frame is boxed 12" with 1/2" nuts welded on the inside to make removing the crossmember easier.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/f84c8a95.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/9d9eb8c6.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/222207a4.jpg
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

All mounted up and front clip back on.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/808fbae2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/a27cfd94.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/9bf98eca.jpg

Fits pretty darn good, harmonic balancer clears, fan clears, radiator fits, valve covers all come off fine, exhast manifold fits.

Only clearance issues are turbo to heater box and my 24v intake manifold hits the brake booster.

For the intake I can either run a different intake or convert to hydroboost.

For the turbo to heater I can either shave the heater off the firewall and run a under dash unit... Or it barely clears with the manifold flipped uoside down.


Soo well see. Goal for now is to get the body off and finish any weldimg and the frame boxing and build a couple more crossmembers.
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

I am pretty close to doing somthing other than measuring.The rain has been giving me some problems but It will be spring soon.I have a bunch of stuff to shuffle to get the parts where I can get to them. And there are a couple things I need to use the Dodge for before I pull the body off.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

I used 1350 spicer yokes on my 68. it had 1050 or something like that. pretty small ones. Kind of odd for a divorced 205.


This may help.

http://dana.com/offhighway_systems/p...it/J300-P4.pdf

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

how is it going?

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

its coming along great, slow but steady. I had my nv4500 rebuilt, new synchros,bearings, seals, new countershaft and fully splinned main shaft. Had the np205 rebuilt painted both and bolted it all up with a new luk clutch.

Bought some new goodies, factory tach dash with air pressure gauge that ill use for boost pressure. 16.5 x9.75 camper special wheels with 1972 factory hub caps. new 6" rear leafs and u bolts. shifters for np205 and n4500.

Ill get pics up this week off all the new parts and the progress, currently its stripped back down to bare frame to finish welding and paint.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

You have been busy!

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Looking forward to seeing some current pics on your truck. My progress is alittle slower than yours right now. I just insured my truck so i can enjoy the low rider before i convert it over to 4wd. Just about got all my crossmembers from donor truck out, than they will be blasted and powder coated. Can't wait to see the finished project. Your truck will be sweet one when you are all done. What color are you painting the truck?:chevy:

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Gotta love the old trucks!

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Finally an update:


Its made itself into a garage for the first time. Put my cherry 69 grill on it.


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/8359c190.jpg

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

picked up a couple other goodies,

original tach dash with air pressure gauge that I'll use for boost psi

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/5bbc1318.jpg

oem 16.5x9.75 with caps, still undecided if ill run these

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/1fcefcd5.jpg

new 6" pro comp leafs in rear

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/98b96c46.jpg

Rebuilt the nv4500, new syncros, seals, bearings, countershaft and fully splined main shaft. Rebuilt the np205 and bolted it all up with a new LUK clutch

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/bf036045.jpg

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

notched the flare in the front frame rail on passenger side.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/eefd4636.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/4dee023c.jpg

Boxed frame rails in front and rear of motor mounts with 1/4"

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/4c099237.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/09be3b17.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/a8d48488.jpg

Angle iron will be used for removable engine crossmember also sleeved frame for steering box mount

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/a4063ebd.jpg

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

I got a 73 and newer crossmember with sway bar mounts and welded it in. and got the whole frame painted with POR15 and chassis coat.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/c71e83aa.jpg

Tore apart the Dana 60 for rebuild and paint

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/8c80277b.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/7508e3f8.jpg

Hung back under the frame from 6" leafs with new ORD greasable bushings and HD shackles

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/b60b88ef.jpg

And set motor back in

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/7254af53.jpg

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Nice build! I am working on something similar myself. I have a question as I'm buying things as I save the money, but would you box the frame in before or after putting the engine in? I got the money to clean and box the frame up and to buy the rest - axles lift, etc to make it a rolling chassis. I want to go ahead and box the frame in, but not sure if I should wait and mock the engine into place first then box the frame in. What are your thoughts?

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

I may be selling the 16.5x10s, hubcaps and leafs... But I still cannot post in the classifieds, how come?
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

so why did you take a giant chunk out of the passenger frame rail?

Any updates since May?

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

The section I cut out is where the frame flares up. I had to flatten this section for my water neck to clear the frame, also it made boxing the frame simpler. Not much in the way of updates, I moved to a new large shop and Im still getting squared away there. The goal is to get motor fired up this month and start cleanin up the body.
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65...e/f3bd2fe9.jpg
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

OOOOOOHHHHHHH....... I kept looking at the frame thinking "where the hell is that chunk he took out??" LMAO!

Love the build buddy. Doing a cummins swap in the Ranger (3.9) and C30 (5.9)

I'm interested to see how the Dodge motor mounts work. Everyone keeps telling me "Go with the liquid filled ones from a Box truck". Glad to see something else being used.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Dang i wanna see this truck done...it looks really nice.:metal:

Im still on the edge on what to put in my 69... 350 sbc,454 bbc, or the cummins like you. Its gonna be my daily driver so i dont really want the 454 because i wont get good mpgs but i really have no experience with the cummins i mostly work on ford 7.3s. Has anyone ever put a 7.3 in one of these?
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

You couldn't pay me to install a 7.3 in anything. Ever. I even debated removing the 7.3 from my 02 super dooty and replacing it with something more efficient.

If you're looking for an easy swap in a daily driver, look no further than a 5.3 out of a early 2000's silverado/tahoe/suburban. They are not DBW and average 17-20 mpg in these old trucks.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

if i were you id remove the steering block on the driver side knuckle. those studs tend to shear, and there is a better alternative out there. instead of that, ive used a dropped 4x4 pitman arm coming off the box. 90% sure its sold by superlift. its basically the stock one with a few inches drop.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

If I didnt do a cummins I was planning a 6.0l vortec. These motors are so simple and make tons of torque and great power. They are very simple motors and get better mpg than any gas motors.

Obijuan- I have been thinking about going to crossover instead of dealing with this block.
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

its worth it. especially with how tall those springs are. on mine i have noticed a little more side to side movement of the frame when you turn the wheel while youre stopped. a panhard bar might be something to look into. my solution to that was hydro assist. although it drives awesome on the street, i wouldnt do hydro assist for anything other than a dedicated offroad rig.

Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

I want my truck to be a good daily driver and good when goin offroad. I mud alot and everytruck i own has to go through mud:devil:
Im just worried about not having enough power with the 5.3 or the 6.0 but i really dont know? The only thing that i dont like about these newer engines is all of the wiring. im just worried that i wont know where the wires go or how to hook them up... I absolutely hate doing any wiring and it takes alot of knowledge about electrical which i dont have :waah:
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Re: ***Dream Truck Build*** 72 swb fleet with a cummins and one tons
 

Not enough power from a 6.0.... that is a confusing statement lol but if your looking for the 1000+ torque the diesels make then i guess i can agree

As far as the build goes its pretty awesome i see a lot of guys doing this now and i would eventually like to do it but with a crew cab to make that my new tow truck