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Posted by 1939 Dodge [71.117.202.4] on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 21:40:33 :
In Reply to: Re: Cummins Conversion into 1939 Dodge posted by Todd Wilson [71.158.208.92] on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 15:08:09 :
Todd,
I do hope to address each of your concerns as part of this build project.
Power steering will be brought over from the 95 Dodge so that should handle the weight of the truck well.
I will be upgrading the brakes to handle stopping from higher speeds.
The suspension will be reworked to handle the weight difference upfront and to give a better ride.
I am almost sure the rear axle will be replaced with something from a Dodge 3500 up to maybe a 5500 depending on the loads I think I will actually haul. I hope to actually take a whole axle with the suspension and brakes to address the brake and suspension concerns.
I see that there is a lot of concern with my project. I know that many of you have completed the 4bt conversions. With a 4bt the weight upfront is not as much of an issue and does not have as much power to get into trouble with. Rest assured that my plans are more than just throwing a huge motor in a 70 year old truck and hoping that it will make it safe at higher speeds.
The door latch is of concern and not something that I had yet considered or known about. I am not a large man and actually find the cab to comfortable for me. I can stretch my legs all the way forward straight when sitting back in the seat. I am contemplating revising the seats to give a better seating position. I am not sure if I want to do that because it will be something visible and obvious that I have changed it.
I will have an automatic transmission making the pedal situation you mentioned much easier to manage even if cramped. I drive a sports car much of the time so I am used to cramped (comfortable) driving situations and am confident that with the revisions to the truck that I will be happy and safe.
Some of the advice that I need is in regards to;
Were you able to use stock Cummins motor mounts or did you build your own mounts?
Those of you who have upgraded the front suspension what did you do or use?
Is there any good way to keep the door closed and address your concern of the door flying open?
When converting to a Cummins 4bt or 6bt did you use a Diesel tank off a newer truck or did you use the original gas tank from your truck?
When converting was there a particular brand of component you used to allow your stock spedometer work off a Cummins Diesel?
Did you add a Tachometer and if so where did you locate it?
I understand that the Power Wagons were different but in many ways there are a lot of similarities between the trucks.
In regards to the idea and suggestion to place the sheet metal body onto a newer truck, I have considered this option. I found there to be several issues or complications, first trying to line up all of the panels and cab on a new frame would be tedious and would require custom fabrication of mounts to get the correct heights of the panels in relation to the newer truck frame. The 1939 frame that I have looks cool and with some strengthening will handle my needs and retain a original look to the passer by. The 160” wheelbase is hard to find in a newer truck and I like having the 12’ long bed supported well at the rear of the truck. I have heard that the more I change the harder it will be to still have the truck registered as a 1939 dodge truck. This is an issue because in Oregon we have a DEQ for emission tests, also the cost of renewing registration and licensing is annoying. In Oregon I will be able to permanently register the truck as a 1939 and not need to renew the plates (as long as I meet a few guidelines), I already have the plates. In my time remodeling houses I have found that it is easier to just tear everything out and build new. I believe it will be easier to take everything out then start building up the 1939, rather than trying to place the 1939 cab over the newer truck, then try to move things around to fit. I may be wrong, but in the method I plant to use I will be able to make sure that every part placed in the truck will be optimally placed. If the turbo needs to be flipped I can flip it over, then run the lines connecting rather than having them run and trying to pull then where I want them.
I hope that helps to address some of the concerns I have read, and helps to better frame the project and my needs.
Thank you all for your input and assistance, it is sincerely appreciated.
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