1985 Crew Cab questions

[TwoSmoke]

I have been lurking around here for a while now but its time to build a hauler for my toys. I am about to be the proud owner of this.

Plans are an engine swap and 4x4 conversion. Truck will be used to haul snowmobiles on a sled deck and pull an aluminum trailer in the winter. What's my best options as far engines go and suspension? I would like to keep the truck close to its current stance and have 4x4.

Thanks in advance
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[tobytuttle]

NICE!!!!....Ya i saw that listed . Welcome on

[TwoSmoke]

Originally Posted by tobytuttle

NICE!!!!....Ya i saw that listed . Welcome on

Do you own that gold 2 door dually in town? If so that thing is cherry. I was going to buy a newer Duramax but decided to build this truck instead and save some cash. Plus I have always wanted a square crew. My dad had a red 86 and then a 95 that layed frame. I am thinking a lq4 6.0 with a built 4l80 and 3.73 gears should put where I want to be.
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[tobytuttle]

Ya, that's the one, been in the family since new.
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Ya I sold my duramax last summer and located a 90 crew with super low miles,

[tobytuttle]

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[86c20]

my req is a good cummins or a real detroit like a 453t. 4x4 i think is ez if you can find the hole set up from another one ton if you want a stick go with a nv 4500 or 5600. or a clark 280v/vo or spicer 3053b or a. auto alie's i think they use the 540?? and a devoriced trans case. being a 4 door and long bed you have looks of room

[TwoSmoke]

I thought about a 12 valve but the only gain there is a loud truck that shakes plus the $10,000 cost of swapping one in. The truck currently has a 350 in it, maybe it's worth freshing up and calling it good.
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[82ccshorty]

I'm doing a cummins swap in my 80 crew cab. It's a ve pump motor turned up. Only cost me about 3500 to do the swap so far that's motor crossmember and mounts and Trans adapter
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[TwoSmoke]

If was in the lower 48 it would be a no brainer to do a cummins swap. Up here in Alaska they are very hard to come by and when you do see them expect to pay $3500 for a half million mile engine with no trans or accessories.
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[andrewmp6]

A 12 valve cummins can be found in more then just a dodge truck,The 80s-90s big fords l600 f600 had it as a option the bluebird flat front end school buses used them.Some of the really big pusher rvs used them international harvester some tractors and combines used them as well.

[TwoSmoke]

My big hang up is how to do the 4x4 conversion but keep it some what at the current stance.
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[andrewmp6]

I believe if you use stock height springs it should only raise it a inch maybe 2.

[TwoSmoke]

A little up date. I got the title for the truck and sourced a 4x4 chassis with a full drivetrain, Dana 60 and np205 transfer case all for $500. The next big score was a 24 valve cummins from a buddy who just so happened to have one in the corner of his shop. Complete for $1200
So the plan is to lift the cab off and put it on the 4x4 chassis and slide the cummins in. Only thing left is to find engines mounts for the cummins in the cheby and a good automatic trans that will bolt in. 4l80e? Suggestions? I prefer manual transmissions but I have pin running from my big toe to the heel in my foot. So pushing on a clutch all day gets old quick. This trucks soul purpose will be to haul snowmobiles in the winter and haul my river drift boat and dirt bikes in the summer. So I am $2400 into this project, budget is 10k. I will start a build thread once I get everything at the shop I need. I have full access to a cnc machine shop, welding shop, and powder coating shop. So I will coat everything I can, frame, axles, interior, exterior parts and anything I can think off.
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[huahuamick]

Really good thread!

[v30crewcab]

get yourself a 47RH, and put a shiftkit in the valvebody. call it good. alot cheaper than trying to make a 4l80 work behind it.

[andrewmp6]

Using the dodge trans will be cheaper you just gotta make up the trans mount and drive shafts vs adapter kits a ecu to control the 4l80 and the trans mount and drive shafts.

[bilfman]

I just did a 4l80e swap. It was simple with the tci kit. Kit controller and pieces ran about a grand. I did a build thread on here for it. In your case if you can find the" holy grail" combo it may be something you can find. In 1991 1tons gm released a 4l80e mated to a np205 bonus of this find is the 205 has the electronic vss built in. (Variable speed sensor) just a thought.
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[TwoSmoke]

Looks like I am on the hunt for a 47rh. I think with this one I am going to stock pile as many parts as possible before I begin building.
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[jimbonice]

I'd freshen up the 350 and be happy. It takes a lot of tooling around to make a cummins pay off.