72 Chevy Cummins 4x4 welding rig.

[MrBeast]

Well figured I might as well post this over here.

Its a 72 Chevy that I am in the process of converting from a 454 powered 2wd to a 4x4 Cummins powered 4x4

When I bought the truck it was setup as a western hauler.



When I got into welding I cut out the front box and converted the truck to a welding rig.



Used the truck for quite a while with my Lincoln Ranger GXT 250 on the back, worked really well.

Unfortunately the 454 got about 8.1 mpg, and I had a little accident with the truck, I was driving 24 miles 1 way to work at the time, fuel hit 4.00 a gallon, this prompted me to park the truck for a while.

A friend of mine let me borrow his truck for a few weeks after I parked the truck, the truck had a Cummins, after driving it I was hooked. At this point I could tell that there was but one thing to do, and that was to put a Cummins in my old Chevy.

Since that time I have been gathering parts, I bought a 93 ram and pulled the motor after driving the truck for a while.

I also got my hands on a NV4500, NP205, Dana 60, P-30 14 bolt, and a 12,500lb warn winch.

About a month and a half ago I tore into the truck, I cut out the old 2wd front suspension and built all new hangers for the front axle to make it a 4x4.











Then I put the cab back on, boxed the front frame and installed the Cummins.

[MrBeast]

Now I have the cab and front clip assembeled, I am very pleased everything fits really good, the next step is going to be blowing it all back apart so as that I can finish boxing the whole frame and filling the unnecasary holes.



Once that is done I will paint the frame with POR-15, get the motor and tranny back in, get driveshafts made, then get to work on the body work.

The truck is getting painted the same orange as the 2011 dodge caliber.



I also picked up some neat emblems





Once the truck is back togeather and runable I will be building a new welding bed for it.





I am really looking forward to having it back on the road again.

The plan is to get a Vantage 300 with the Kubota.

And yes before anyone asks, im going to work the snot out of this truck!

[Swaggerwagon]

[Lanse]

Originally Posted by Swaggerwagon

This.

Awesome work man, and that is a beautiful color. I can't wait to see more!!

[backpurge]

Gives me a chubby! Nice work on your "Cowboy Cadillac"

[MrBeast]

Thanks guys, hoping by the end of this week to have my business sold.

If all goes well I will be laying into this truck full time until it is finished so I can have it up and running in about 2 months time. (IE before the june rent is due)

At that point I will have 3 months of school left, the plan is to finish out school, and then head back up to montana, will be basing myself out of there hoping to hit up a lot of the pipelines going on over the next couple of years.

[WHughes]

Nice work, quite an undertaking.

[tbone550]

Funny, just yesterday I was thinking how cool a welding truck a '68-'72 Chevy 1-ton 4x4 with a Cummins swap would make. I like the paint color choice as well.

[backpurge]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

Thanks guys, hoping by the end of this week to have my business sold.

If all goes well I will be laying into this truck full time until it is finished so I can have it up and running in about 2 months time. (IE before the june rent is due)

At that point I will have 3 months of school left, the plan is to finish out school, and then head back up to montana, will be basing myself out of there hoping to hit up a lot of the pipelines going on over the next couple of years.

Montana! I'm here now. What part are they projecting pipeline work to run through?
Everyone here is heading to the Dakotas to burn rod. Buddy just headed to the aleutian islands for some kinda welding work. Just curious. I understand if you want to keep it on the down low.

[SeanMurphy265]

That's awesome, that is favorite GM truck body style.

Are you using the computer and wiring from the Dodge or aftermarket stand alone computer?

[Donald Branscom]

A very worthwhile project. The work you are doing looks very solid.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by SeanMurphy265

That's awesome, that is favorite GM truck body style.

Are you using the computer and wiring from the Dodge or aftermarket stand alone computer?

I am running a 12 valve, it has a mechanical pump, it will run with 3 wires.

This is why the thing is so reliable!

After having a 6.5 diesel in my 94, I will never run another computer controled pos again!

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by backpurge

Montana! I'm here now. What part are they projecting pipeline work to run through?
Everyone here is heading to the Dakotas to burn rod. Buddy just headed to the aleutian islands for some kinda welding work. Just curious. I understand if you want to keep it on the down low.

I am talking about the Keystone XL that is suposed be happening next year, as well there are several other projects that I have heard mentioned, but that is the big one.

I may wind up going to alaska too, but preferably spring next year when the place has thawed out a little.

[SEAR]

Love the front end on that chevy!
thats a pretty tough rig you built there, post pics of the paint job when you get it done

[DRBJR]

that will be a sweet truck when you are done.. Good luck on your job and work

[DieselDon16]

Nice Rig. The Only reason I own a Dodge Cummins, Is for the Cummins Engine. Good Luck With It. Post Some Pics When Its Finished, I look foward to seeing it done.

[ed mac]

diesel will be $5.60 a gal this summer
id stay with the 454 chevy

[tigmusky]

love that body style.. can't wait to see it when your done. nice job.

Daye

[woodweld1]

Man thats cool, reminds me of my first truck, it was a 69, had a streight six with four speed I paid $250 for it, went thru it and ran it about 5yrs. If I was sharp enought to put a diesel it I would probably still have it lol.

[zora]

Nice work. I love the 69-72 chevys. I had a 72 blazer once... Most beautiful trucks on the road.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by ed mac

diesel will be $5.60 a gal this summer
id stay with the 454 chevy

And you think gas is going to be any cheaper?

I dont think it will get that high though.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by zora

Nice work. I love the 69-72 chevys. I had a 72 blazer once... Most beautiful trucks on the road.

My old junk:



Cant beat a good 67-72 chevy truck, they were the last of a great breed.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by woodweld1

Man thats cool, reminds me of my first truck, it was a 69, had a streight six with four speed I paid $250 for it, went thru it and ran it about 5yrs. If I was sharp enought to put a diesel it I would probably still have it lol.

Damn skippy! The diesel is going to make it a lot more enjoyable/functional.

I saw the pics you posted on the rig welder thread, it was a sharp looking truck.

[galencwi]

Originally Posted by ed mac

diesel will be $5.60 a gal this summer
id stay with the 454 chevy

my buddy gets almost 20 miles to the gallon with his cummins. 1991 3/4ton i drive it all the time
800k miles and runs like a swiss watch. You may pay 10-15 dollars more at the pump for a fill but your not stopping every 200-250 miles looking for fuel.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by galencwi

my buddy gets almost 20 miles to the gallon with his cummins. 1991 3/4ton i drive it all the time
800k miles and runs like a swiss watch. You may pay 10-15 dollars more at the pump for a fill but your not stopping every 200-250 miles looking for fuel.

Exactly, the truck I pulled the motor out of was a 93 ram x cab dually, It had huge cow catcher farmer john special bumpers on it, and weighed about 8,000 lbs, I still got 17-22 mpg with it.