I have a question, I know other people have put a 12V cummins into the OBS chevys like mine a 1995 3/4 ton 4x4 with a tired ole 6.5L turbo diesel and the 4L80 auto. The question is, can i safely and reliably drive the 12V cummins in this truck without swapping out the front end to a solid front axle? They say the extra weight of the Cummins over the 6.5 (like 600lbs) is that it isnt a good idea to keep the independent front suspension.... Has anyone else been able to retain the IFS and are happy with it??

 

Not too sure about this swap - I've seen a few Cummins powered Chevy's out there. The P-pumped 5.9L Cummins weighs right around 1250lbs. At least you're aware of this weight differential.

 

there was a pic in a recent diesel power mag- of an early 90's model chevy that had a cummins in it-but i believe the owner swap in a solid front axle, though.

 

Got a '66 Chev short bed awaiting restoration. Its go the original 235 but am dreaming about slipping a 5.9 in there, Allison automatic, Dana 60 rear, add AC, beef up the front end and enjoy it. One day..........................

 

I would also like to know how to make it work with IFS. IFS can handle quite a bit of weight on the frontend (such as a snowplow), because the torsion bars can be adjusted. The problem is that IFS doesn't allow very much room for the tall engine. Someone on my college campus had an early-mid 90s Chevy dually with a Cummins, but I think that it was a 2wd.

 

Body lift will do wonders for room under there.

 

Yeah its not really the room im concerned about, I can always make or buy a cowl hood or something of that sort, But MJdiesel brought a good point talkin about the snowplow hangin off the front, In the winter i see all sorts of IFS chevys drivin around with these big ole plows bouncing off the front of them, Anyone know how much a 7' or 8' plow weighs? plus all hook-ups of course...

 

a plow can weigt anywhere from 600 to 1000 pounds-depending on type. cheapest 7 footer will weight the less. top of the line 9 footer will weight a 1000 pounds, if not a tad bit more.

 

ok, so say you have a 600lb plow hangin off the front with the farthest point of the plow bein a few feet from the hook-up point, so actually when its raised its going to act as a lever and put more strain on the front end as opposed to puttin an extra 600 lbs directly over or even a little bit slightly behind the center of the front driveline.... So that would make me think if people can hang a big ole plow off the front of their truck, why the heck cant I throw a cummins in the ole girl????

 

A body lift would be a last resort for me. A cowl hood would be OK.

 

Yep _ think you would be okay with this. You may notice more front brake wear and the need to more frequently do an alignment. I would switch to load range E tires all the way around if you don't already have them. This alone will make a differance. Sounds like a neat project!

 

i was looking at buying a 93 chevy crew cab dually 4x4 that a guy was selling,it had no engine/trans,but he did have a 5.9 with an nv4500 for it.he said you have to customize the oil pan to clear the front differential.says he's done 3 or 4 conversions.he never said anything about beefing the front end up though.on a side note i was at a swap meet a couple months ago and there was a early 90's chevy 1/2 ton pickup there with the hood popped open,inside sat a 5.9.the frontend sat pretty low.quick way to make a lowrider.i wanted to talk to the guy but he never came around while i was there.

 

The major obstacle would be clearance for the front diff, It and the oil pan will want to live in the same space so it would probably require a ton of modification the the oil pan, or a suspension lift that lowers the front diff.

 

i believe the guy said something to the effect of you had to grind off some of the front diff to help with clearance.

 

Yeah, you'll be OK, just don't plow with it .