1985 Chevy 1 ton Crew Cab - Cummins Swap

Hey Everyone

My truck is an 85 1 ton crew cab, I lowered it a couple years ago with Bell Tech Spindles, Coils, and a Schackel kit. I also removed the 1 ton helper leaf springs and set it up to the 3/4 leaf config, I then installed Airlift airbags to still be able to haul.

The truck was factory 454 and 4 speed, when I bought it in 2004 it had the original engine and transmission, In 2007 I pulled the truck down to the frame and installed a built 496. With the price of gas and the amount I tow with it I opted for a Cummins swap. I do however have a rust problem that surfaced about a year after I pulled it down to the pain I thought I cleaned, rustmorted, and sealed the firewall and cowl enough but it's rusting really bad now so I am activly looking for another 4 door cab. I figured I would finish the engine job and drive it a while then prepare, sound deaden , and install the new cab next year.

The engine I am installing was removed from a 1996 Dodge 1 ton 4wd with a 5 speed. The highest rating availble the that year. It had a documented 135,000 on it, but it did have a pretty bad oil leak so I went ahead and rebuilt the heads, fixed the killer dowl pin and re gasketed everything.

I bought Motor mounts,Alt brackets, A/C brackets, and a few other things from Auto World in Montana, Turbo exhaust pipe was from Diesel Performance systems, I ordered the gen 1 exhaust pipe and modified it a bit. Ford F350 Clutch Master Cylinder. At the end of the build I will post a complete part number list with prices. So far for the swap I am at $5000 and I still have a transmission to buy, driveshaft to cut, and A/C to hook up. I calculated it will take about 15,000 miles to justify the savings.

Nice project, should be a lot better on fuel and have plenty of power when you're done.

just a small oil leak eh?

Looks good. Im doing the same thing in a 90 chevy

Man im diggin this build, gona watch it closely. Doin lots of the same stuff ie. the cummins swap. I didnt see the oil fill delete in the pile of auto world parts did u make it or where did u get it again awsome truck

Thanks Guys, the oil leaks was pretty bad, and after I installed my power steering I found a leak there as well that I have to take care.

I am watching everyones builds as well It's good to see what other people are doing.

Here is a pic with the valve cover from Autoworld

nice setup

Nice truck man, You are going to love that Cummins on the highway.

I ran mine in the truck it came out of for several months before tearing it down, I cant wait to have it up again. It used 1/3 the fuel my 454 did.

Keep us posted!

Dude I'ma Be Watching yo thread here Closely Cause I plan on doing the samething But I prefer the 6speed manual

looks really good! what radiator and intercooler is that? is the exhaust manifold a '96?