I am doing a build thread on a Sweptline site but thought I would share it here too. I bought this truck in August of 1999 and immediatley shaved the door handles and replaced one rocker. I drove it for a while then parked it. It sat for years while I collected parts. I got it to the house last year and blew the thing apart and put a 78 D-200 frame clip on it.

While I had the cab off the frame I did the suicide rear doors.

The other side

Cool ... you making it a duallie ?

Then I threw it back together to put it away because I was getting some new work and needed the shop space that the truck was taking up. Then it sat until a couple weeks ago. I spent that time collecting more parts for it.

I wound up picking up a complete early 91 diesel, 5 speed truck. Donor! Thanks RodStRace!

With the help of a couple friends and a plasma cutter the Cummins and trans were set in the truck. Progress again!

Here is what it looks like from the inside.

I did some trading for an 05 3/4 ton rear axle. More details on this later.

I have spent alot of time welding up all the interior seams. Now I got alot of grinding left to do.

you are welcome! I'd recognise the back of that hand anywhere!

Then last week I got all the stock intercooler stuff off of a 92 to add it to my setup. This is where the fun starts. The engine bays in these old swepty trucks are not long enough for all this. Yea I could just shove the motor way back but then I'd have to get creative with the shifter and making new motor mounts. I have a different idea on how to approach this.

I trimmed the stock radiator brackets off the core support then fitted it up to see where everything is at. The support now sits 1 3/4 inches foward of the original location. I need another 1/4 inch to get good clearance between the fan and radiator. I do not have a condenser yet, eventually it will get a vintage air or similar setup. How thick is a condenser? Should I go foward another inch and hope for the best or give myself 2 to 3 inches?

What, no updates? Don't tell me it's going to sit for another year before the next post!

Dave,

You've initiated a very interesting project that some of us would like to keep a pulse on. That's a 5.9 liter Cummins ..... correct? If my front end would have held the mass of such, that'd been the engine and drive train of choice. Please take the time to periodically photograph the project and post on this site because many of us could greatly learn form what you're undertaking.

Keep up the momentum,

Brian

I got the old rusty floors out of it last weekend. I also got the trans crossmember up where it needs to be. Now the motor sits real close to where it needs to be. I have been debating on how to make the intercooler stuff all fit and I think I got it figured out. Thanks Brian! Post a couple pics of your car since I couldnt see them in the link. Sounds different and very cool.

How much work was it to put the cab and front clip on the newer frame?

I did a frame splice. You can see in the last pic where the two are put together. And doing that only took a weekend.

Howdy Dave,

You know, your project looks to be about 4X the work that my measly swap was, and my hope is that you hang in there through the thick and thin of it. There were numerous times that some swear-laced prayers were muttered just to coax me past the latest engineering-based hurdle that I was being faced with.

If you want to see my Cummins-powered beast, I think she can be found on this forum at

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=4#Post5955589

Keep fabricating and wrenching,

Brian

Man, your car is awesome! I applaud you for doing something a little different.

The engine bay in my truck is not long enough for this Cummins, radiator, intercooler, ect. I spent time thinking of how to make it all fit and I came up with stretching the front a little. Here it is with the frnder tip cut off.

Then I made a filler panel and held it all in place with cleco pins. I love those things!

Then it got tack welded together and the radiator support and grille thrown back on it. I still got some figuring out to do in a few areas but its coming along nicely.

And here is the passenger side.

Dave,

Thanks for the feedback on the Plym. It never ceases to amaze me of the saint-level patience that others have when it comes to carrying out these kind of projects. Either you have a great support network of gear-head friends, a very understanding significant other who does NOT think that you love the vehicle more, and/or have no teenage kids to shuttle from point A to point B and then on to C in the same evening.

Anyway, I seriously applaud the stretching and fabricating that you're doing to make this vehicle a reality. My guess is that (like I did) you keep saying to yourself "It'll be great to drive when it's all done".

Please keep us up to speed on your progress.

Brian

Got a little more done on the stretching today. Here are some pics.

another

That thing looks sweet! Keep the updates coming!

Wow, great project. Hopefully this is still moving forward.

I saw Dave last night, then this thread. I had hoped he would respond by now, but I'll bump it for him.
He's been busy with work, room mates, and side projects for others. The truck is sitting, awaiting another burst of forward progress.

Thanks for the interest. As John says, I have a full plate (and then some)! I have been thinking of doing a bbq and have a bunch of people come over and help with the truck for a weekend. It wont be till after SEMA, 3 cars from my work are going. I will post more pics if something happens.

that thing is so sweet thats at the top of my list to build one day instead of buying a new diesel truck for 50 grand, cant wait to see how it turns out, keep up the good work!