81` Crew Cab 12V build and 4X4 conversion

[Cwarta]

Hello! Got some screaming deals on a donor truck and a crew, so I decided to build me a DD crew cab 12V! So here we go.

A good friend of mine had a crew cab that's been sitting since 96, 2wd 454/400. Pretty bad rust in the rockers, tilt steering cruise all the good stuff. He wanted to pull the motor out of it and trans for his 74 gto, so he told me if I pulled it for him I could have the truck. So the price was right to deal with fixing the rockers.

So I brought it home, originally was planning on putting one of my 6.0/nv4500 combos in it, then came across this clean 1st gen for $1000 and who could pass that up?!?!?


Stripped the cummins down, sold the body and auto trans for $1400, kept the kingpin dana 60 and rear axle, and obviously the engine and related parts.

Bought a nice grill and support at a swapmeet, picked up new 4" exhaust, he351 turbo, resealed the engine, bought a 99 nv4500 and 241dhd, modded the tcase internally to be flipped and flipped it upside down under the truck, 2nd gen intercooler, isspro gauges, dana 70 rear and did a disk swap, new flatbed, por 15 the frame, 52" front spring swap, all kinds of fun stuff. Im just going to post a bunch of my random pictures haha.



























Did all the usual pump mods, afc adjusted, fuel pin ground way down, power screw in 2 turns for now, 3200rpm spring, advanced timing 1/4" etc etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCi8rsvwmWQ

[COS399]

Nice. Your going to love it.

[Cwarta]

Originally Posted by COS399

Nice. Your going to love it.

Oh I know it! This is my first ve motor, I've got other cummins pickups. I cannot believe how easy it starts! Literally not even a full revolution and it's running lol

[natedogg]

Very cool! More pics.

[Cwarta]

I'll get some tomorrow! Rebuilding the trans is the 79 z28 tonight, gotta get ready for the drags lol.

[Cwarta]

Got the inside floor and under cab por15'd, 241dhd modded and flipped upside down, tcase and trans filled with fresh fluids.

[garmar]

Good to see you here. I've been following your progress on Facebook, too.

[Cwarta]

Originally Posted by garmar

Good to see you here. I've been following your progress on Facebook, too.

Yessir! It's nice to be able to condense the whole build into one place, that's the bad part about Facebook. All these people say they want to see this or that, but I have no idea who or what after a day goes by Haha.

[daddyjeep]

So, you kept the original D70 and will be going single rear wheel? I then assume you changed the front hubs for SRW hubs? Did you happen to measure the different in axle width front vs rear? I will be getting to that soon enough, but was wondering what you found.

Also, what did you use for the rear disks?

[Cwarta]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

So, you kept the original D70 and will be going single rear wheel? I then assume you changed the front hubs for SRW hubs? Did you happen to measure the different in axle width front vs rear? I will be getting to that soon enough, but was wondering what you found.

Also, what did you use for the rear disks?

Originally it had a cab and chassis rear Corp 14 bolt. I put in a srw Dana 70 rear from a 96 ish cummins and a Dana 60 King pin from the 92 cummins. So I don't think my measurements will help you lol. If I can help in any way lmk!

[daddyjeep]

Nope, that doesn't help at all. I was thinking you might have used the Dodge axles. I really don't know exactly what I am doing yet. I might be picking up a CUCV for next to nothing.

[Cwarta]

By the way this truck was a 2wd when I started, I did a 4x4 conversion and got rid of anything DRW

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice project you have going here! This will be a sweet truck for sure!

[Cwarta]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice project you have going here! This will be a sweet truck for sure!

Thank !! I can't wait to drive it!!

[918733]

I like the head lights and park lights where can I find some

[Cwarta]

Originally Posted by 918733

I like the head lights and park lights where can I find some

These are headlights for a 93 Chevy off eBay. Beware it will take a lot of work and custom modifications to work.

[brimc]

Very nice. That was a super score on your doner.

[Cwarta]

Yes it was, very blessed to come across that, the guy who I bought it from and I have become good friends out of the deal, he hated the truck because it was a turd. It was an auto with the 21cm exhaust housing, aka the lag master. I drove it for a week and was very happy. With all the kids I did and the 9cm housing he351 I can't wait to test it out!

[Cwarta]

Got a little done tonight, new hydro boost put on from an 03 Tahoe and the reservoir, swapped power steering pump reservoirs yo the hydro setup, the xj steering shaft done aswell.

[Cwarta]

Got the exhaust all welded up, 4" diamond eye and the manifold drilled and tapped for the pyro.

[Cwarta]

Didn't get squat done, drilled and tapped the stock fuel filter housing for 1/2 fuel line, running a 50 gallon bed mounted fuel tank, 1/2 line all the way from there, thrue the electric pump and into the housing.

[Dieselwrencher]

What electric pump is there on a 12v?

[Cwarta]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

What electric pump is there on a 12v?

My carter inline. Got rid of the crappy diaphragm block pump, I'm not interested in filling the crank case full of diesel lol

[OutlawDrifter]

nice work so far!

is that slant side building in post #1 a B&C steel building by chance?

[Cwarta]

Thank you! Actually that building was the farmers who I bought the truck from, I haven't the slightest clue lol.