1990 Cummins Build,, yep finally moving up!!

[Revco]

Personally, I won't ever own another automatic equipped diesel. I've had three 12-Valve Cummins Dodges, one '92 with 5spd Manual Getrag 360 Trans, one '94 with 47RH Auto OD Trans, and one '97 with 5spd Manual NV4500 Trans. The '94 was pathetically slow and a real bore to drive. I was always afraid the trans was going to slip or need a rebuild, and that was a super clean, well maintained, bone stock truck with 120k miles. I only put 8k on that truck in 3 months before I sold it. The price of "built" auto transmissions for these trucks is stupid expensive. I'd start gathering up parts to do a 5spd manual conversion. The 5spd Getrags are weak, the 5spd NV4500's and 6spd NV5600's are much stronger and will hold up fine for daily/offroad use, and you'll never have to worry about the auto trans taking a dump and emptying your wallet.

As far as oil, I always ran Rotella T 15w40 oil with WIX oil filters in all my diesels. Always changed at 5k miles...religiously. I always bought my filters from www.fleetfilter.com since they were so much cheaper for oil, fuel, and air filters. So much cheaper, infact, that I'd buy a few of each filter on every order.

 

[rikinwyoming]

Well, at least the truck is one color now, lol... also, ripped out the carpet and seat in the cab and found that the floors have rotted away. Cut out all the rot and replaced the damaged sections, welding them in, priming, painting, and undercoating it all so I should no have that problem for a long time again! Still thinking on options on enclosing the flatbed for overlanding,, thinking on something I can build on a budget...sorry my build isn't more exciting, but it is what it is!

 

[BCHauler]

Looking good. What about hoops and canvas like an old troop carrier?

 

[Rot Box]

sorry my build isn't more exciting, but it is what it is!

Its a first gen--that's exciting enough! :bike_rider:

 

[rikinwyoming]

I actually have considered that,,, have to do some research on how I would set the hoop structure up,,, I had also considered finding a small pop up camper, taking it off the frame and mounting it to my flatbed, but haven't found one that small as of yet...

 

[Madbodhi]

What about a set up like this (not my truck) using a surplus military trailer for the bed.They come up pretty often on http://www.govliquidation.com/.May be able to pick one up for less than the cost of steel to create something similar. My buddy has one complete with bows and cover so if you want to do a homebrew I can get you detailed pics if you like.

It's what I was going to go with on my 84 crewcab but then I got my 78 crew and I really like the short utility bed.Thinking of using the bed to mount a fuel tank,spare tires and abit of room left over for stuff then putting a rack on the utility bed for a RTT.After the cummins swap of course :wings:.

 

[Gunnar1971]

What about a set up like this (not my truck) using a surplus military trailer for the bed.They come up pretty often on http://www.govliquidation.com/.May be able to pick one up for less than the cost of steel to create something similar. My buddy has one complete with bows and cover so if you want to do a homebrew I can get you detailed pics if you like.

Great idea!

I was thinking, for my '89 dually, a contractors rack, to still be able to use it for work and a canvas tarp fitted to go over it.


Rik, have you done Jim Lanes headlight relay mod yet?

http://wiki.dieseltruckresource.com/wiki/Headlamp_Relays

And a link to the whole wiki page:

http://wiki.dieseltruckresource.com/wiki/Tech_Articles

 

[Madbodhi]

I put the headlights on my 78 on relays with heavy duty ceramic headlamp plugs and replaced the sealed beams with H4 conversion headlamps from http://www.roundeyes.com/Products-Jeep_Headlamps.html.Unbelivable diffrence.I did abunch of other stuff as well,like military O gauge battery cables and battery terminals (CHEAP !!!),added a Blue Sea Systems auxilary fuse panel and bypassed the amp gauge with a somewhat modified version of the M.A.D. schematic http://madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml.Should all translate directly to your ride.

Hey Gunnar,you in Whittier . I'm from Whittier,most of my family is still there.Assuming the 1971 was your birthdate I was also born that year.Small world....If I took your lunch money/girlfriend etc then I apologise

 

[rikinwyoming]

I currently have h4 lights in the front of my truck and trailer led lights in the back,,, I love the crew cab dodge with the trailer bed on it,,, would solve the shelter issue as well getting one with a canvas top,,,,, searching craigslist now,,, sure I could get a little money back outta my flatbed as well!

 

[Denny T]

Nice work on that grill gaurd. I have a customer that runs around in a club cab W250 with a flat bed very similar to yours (no headache rack). He has some nice stained oak bed rails for it.........bout 12" tall. Not quite enclosed like you want but its a clean look.

 

[Madbodhi]

The trailer bed is off of an M-101 trailer.I found a place that has the beds alone for $395 http://armytruckparts.net/misc.html.What abot something like this.

Aluminum,insulated,looks to have good room once you clear out the radio racks.Keep the utility of your existing flatbed.When you want to hit the road you can add some removable tool boxes/storage area under the overhang on the shelter and slide it on.
The dimensions are as follows:

77" Long

70 1/2" High

43" Bottom width for 21"

72 1/2" Top width

30" x 55" Door opening

1 1/2" thick walls.

Abit pricier than the trailer bed but I think it would be a much more capable set up.These guys have some http://store.colemans.com/cart/shelter-communications-p-1693.html

 

[Gunnar1971]

Hey Gunnar,you in Whittier . I'm from Whittier,most of my family is still there.Assuming the 1971 was your birthdate I was also born that year.Small world....If I took your lunch money/girlfriend etc then I apologise

Hehehe, Went to Murphy Ranch, Hillview and La Serna, graduated in '89. It is a small world.

 

[redthies]

Hehehe, Went to Murphy Ranch, Hillview and La Serna, graduated in '89. It is a small world.

He lives in Wisconsin now, so even if he did get your lunch money, you win! :sombrero:

 

[chilliwak]

Hey Madbodhi, those military boxes look like an excellent:Wow1:addition to any pick-up.