The Dakota Cadillac (68 K20 w/ Cummins)

[Dieselwrencher]

Dang, I was way off. Rear end install looks great!

[FrankieD]

[QUOTE=lowrollin70gmc;5388112]Well, of the three guesses, FrankieD has some new crusty lift blocks!

WOW thanks I will stop by next time I'm out there, the last time I was there was in 1977.

[jbclassix]

is that an 11.5 or 10.5

[lowrollin70gmc]

Edit: read a few posts below, I mistook an 11.5 for a 10.5


10.5, although the junkyard tried to give me an 11.5 and that thing was huge! 3.73s and a G80 locker for now. Eventually it'll get an ARB along with one in the front when the cash allows.

It looks like it'll be a good axle, it's 68.5 WMS to WMS and when I test fit both sets of wheels they don't stick out more than just the sidewall so I'm happy with it. Slightly wider than the dodge D60 front (67.5) but it shouldn't be much more noticeable.

[lowrollin70gmc]

Quick update: I used the 68 to move to NoDak and it towed my car trailer with the 63 and my 37s at 75mph without breaking a sweat. I'll be rebuilding the NP205 as I'm getting some slop from the output shaft and it needs it anyways with almost 200k on it.

Other than that I've been alternating driving it and my 63 to work and it's performed well except for the throttle rod backing itself off (full throttle was actually 1/4 throttle) but nothing some loctite didn't fix.

Once the trans case is rebuilt I'll regear the front, possibly with an ARB, lengthen the front driveshaft, and then start turning up the VE pump on the Cummins. I want to make sure there are no weak links (transfer case thunking) before I do that. I can move the air (S300 based 62/65/13 w/ PowerStroke intercooler) now I need the fuel.


Question for other Cummins guys: How did you wire the fuel heater? I'm thinking a switch in the cab for that and the cold start advance thingy. Or can I wire in the stock intake manifold temp switches to automatically turn them on? Of just wire the fuel heater to ignition hot and unplug it for the warm season.

I'm also going to be switching fuel filters soon as the stock one is 25micron and I found a Donaldson with 11 Microns P550588 that is the same thread and gasket dimensions but just a little longer and no more water in fuel sensor. I also found a 5 Micron one but it's a little bigger OD (same gasket) but I'm not sure that fine of a filter is necessary if stock is 25. I'll also be putting a larger air filter on it and redoing my intercooler piping (cobbled together to get it running).

Any opinions on filters?

[RatRod68]

ooh-rah Devil Dog! I seen the Pendleton Barracks and just laughed. There were so many broken down cars/trucks/bikes in the parking lots its crazy. Another trip down memory lane

Anyway, the burb is awesome. My latest project truck will be similar. I plan on doing the crew cab dually with a cummins and a 5 speed. Mine will stay 2wd though.

Always awesome to see another Marine on these forums.

[Mr. 250r]

I don't want to start an argument or anything but it says that's a AAM 10.5 when it looks like an 11.5 just from going off looks for a second the housing tubing ends are rounded and have no flat spots like a 10.5, the cover looks like the 11.5 cover and the balancer on the yoke is from an 11.5 so did i mis-read something in the thread or am i just wrong? still a cool project nonetheless

Here's a comparison of the 10.5 vs 11.5 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=535806

[lowrollin70gmc]

I'll have to go out and take another look, when I picked up the axle the junkyard gave me an even larger axle that I knew wasn't a 14 bolt so I selected this one in the yard, but no indication on the engine type. I do remember measuring the opening to less than 11.5 (larger ring gear couldn't fit thru opening).

Doesn't matter to me as it has the 3.73s and disc brakes w/parking brake I was looking for. But it could simplify my locker choices as they make a trutrac for the 11.5 and not the 10.5 (list a number but nobody sells it).

I'm debating ARB front/rear or eaton e-locker front and trutrac rear. Decisions, decisions.

[lowrollin70gmc]

Originally Posted by RatRod68

ooh-rah Devil Dog! I seen the Pendleton Barracks and just laughed. There were so many broken down cars/trucks/bikes in the parking lots its crazy. Another trip down memory lane

Anyway, the burb is awesome. My latest project truck will be similar. I plan on doing the crew cab dually with a cummins and a 5 speed. Mine will stay 2wd though.

Always awesome to see another Marine on these forums.

Semper fi brother.

If you could see the white lincoln next to me, it was at that barracks for 3 years with a title on the front seat! I went to Afghan twice while it sat there! BEQ was lost in the sauce as usual.

These trucks are so much fun with a Cummins under the hood, mine has no markings on the outside so it definitely confuses people when I fire it up.

[Mr. 250r]

They put the 11.5 behind a diesel for a reason =-p so in a way you almost did the right thing... depends on how you look at it either way you got disc brakes i am wondering though are the 11.5s bigger or not kind of like how the old rear ends had i think an 11in drum and a 13in drum

[lowrollin70gmc]

Went out and looked, no removable pinion support so I do have a 11.5. Makes me wonder what that gigantic thing they first gave me was.

As far as I've read the brakes are the same. When I bought new rotors I never told them what engine the 2005 Sierra had. The only choice was center bore diameter but the outer diameter was the same.

I'm happy now though, I can get a tru-trac! I was debating due to air line vulnerabilities in negative temperatures but I'll order an e-locker and 3.73s for the front to make it this winter and replace the g80 with a trutrac before next winter.

[RatRod68]

got any recent pics of the whole thing? Didn't you say it has caddy lights in it?

[lowrollin70gmc]

You forced me outside to take pictures of my rig. Such a stressful life.

I just picked up some 87 Burb 5 leaf 56" springs to replace the stock bent twin leaves.

Hint: My burb has stock 56" leaves, I didn't realize that until I went to get replacements and double checked with a tape measure. After some bushings she'll go back together with some airbags I have extra from my GMC to go over the axle and a semi-truck leveling/kneeling valve to keep a constant ride height while able to fit in my garage. The rear will be coming up about 2" from where it's sagged to now so it's level front to rear.



Caddy tail lights that will be taken out when I get around to the metal work. Also going to replace the hitch with something with better ground clearance. Thinking just below the bumper to protect it from bottoming out and grabbing some dirt.



Fuel tank I built, 38 gallons and plenty of ground clearance. I'm waiting for a piece of 1/8" stainless scrap to show up a work to build a skid plate out of, tieing it into the bottom of the hitch to make a nice "slide" for the fun times.




Also installed some seats in it, the 69 Chevelle bench was about 6" too narrow which sucked for my passenger's comfort. These were in my Dad's 70 El Camino when I picked it up for him, Flexsteel RV seats.




I made a frame that spanned the stock bench holes and also supported itself along the floor support. A few welds here and there and it fits nicely and it very sturdy. A huge improvement over the too soft bench, my back no longer hurts after the first hour driving. It slides front to rear and I now have a vehicle that reclines! Awesome for highway driving.





And the center console was custom made from the same bucket that serves as my maintenance stool.

[RatRod68]

AHAHAHAHA! That is awesome. First was the ratchet strap. Then the caddy lights, then the bucket! That is freakin awesome brother. I love this truck

[lowrollin70gmc]

Yeah, I hate the caddy lights but I won't pull it out of daily duties until my 63 is painted. I bought it with them in it along with the panels to return it to stock, so I can't claim credit for the ugliness that they are.

The strap for the hood is because the large by huge intercooler and hood latch like to occupy the same place, I'll be grafting in a late model cable release soon enough.

I love my bucket, it holds my work stuff and it's easier to throw it between the seats than in the back seat. Plus a pop bottle nestles in there pretty good and you can empty it and use it to stand on to play under the hood! Eventually I'll build a custom console but I'm too busy driving it. (It isn't bolted down, just set in there.)

This weekend is transfer case rebuild and floor surgery to make it look better than license plates upside down with sheetmetal screws. (The aluminum you see is retired SoDak plates).

[1985-GMC]

Have you thought about removing the hood latch from the center then put two of them back on either side of the intercooler. Its something I might end up doing on my conversion in far future... :|

[mosesburb]

I like the bucket. Alot. I wish I could steal the idea, but my laptop mount will interfere with it. Damn.

I have actually done the rachet strap on another vehicle--for years. Works great!!

[jrdv]

Nothin wrong with your burb! I like it.
I would keep the caddy lights.....they match the rest of the lines on the rear.

[RatRod68]

Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc

floor surgery to make it look better than license plates upside down with sheetmetal screws. (The aluminum you see is retired SoDak plates).

License plates eh? The PO on my c30 decided chimney flashing would work well as patch panels.

[birdistheword]

Very cool build. Wish I had the time, money, and place to put a Cummins in my 72 K-10.

[57NAPCO]

First, Thank you for serving
I did 4 years USAF in the early 70's, it was nothing compared to y'all.


Great build! I have an ol' beat up 1970 K20 that I'm going to start tinkering with. The previous owner installed a receiver hitch up high, stock bumper. The rear plate is hinged and the receiver is behind it. Kinda neat. If you want I'll take a pic for ya. I have a 1950 1 ton panel that would love the Cunnins transplant.
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[lowrollin70gmc]

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

First, Thank you for serving
I did 4 years USAF in the early 70's, it was nothing compared to y'all.


Great build! I have an ol' beat up 1970 K20 that I'm going to start tinkering with. The previous owner installed a receiver hitch up high, stock bumper. The rear plate is hinged and the receiver is behind it. Kinda neat. If you want I'll take a pic for ya. I have a 1950 1 ton panel that would love the Cunnins transplant.
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I'd love to see pictures if you have them. There's a general idea floating around in my head but pics would always help. I'm thinking having it slightly below the bumper (to save the stock bumper from bottoming out) with the receiver barely below the plate. Probably 3x3x.25 wall notched for the receiver tubing on the top side.

I swear it looks better in my head and do the Cummins swap, you'll love it.

[57NAPCO]

[lowrollin70gmc]

My fuel tank is a little too close for a hitch that long. I may just put some lightening holes in the 6x6x.25 bumper that was on my donor dodge along with a hitch in the middle of her.

Anyways, I have been using my existing hitch:



I bought an extra truck at a local auction but I had driven the 63 across town to it. So I just drove the "new" truck home and went and snatched up the Nova with the 'Burb as it's easier to load and strap than my new to me 88 K2500:



It's bright yellow with 83,000 miles, good tires and a liftgate. This is the alternate for the 'Burb in the winter as it's a lot easier to heat up a single cab than the interior of the 68. Is it bad that it cost a tank of gas more than the locker and gears for my front axle? Noteworthy that it had a full tank of gas courtesy of the City of Fargo.

I did order and receive my 3.73s and eaton e-locker for the front. Soon it will be an actual 4x4, the 3.55s front/3.73s rear prevent that now. Also finished up the floor surgery and twin stick transfer case shifter but somehow forgot to take pictures of the finished install. That will be tomorrow's mission if it's light out after work.

[jbclassix]

I get that about the heater. I couldn't keep my windows defrosted in CO.
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