64 Crew, The Vietnam Bomb

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!