My 12v Cummins Build

72Rockcruiser

LETS GO BRANDON!
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Location
Charlotte, NC
Picked this up a while back, have been steady at it getting it ready to do some work.

Figured I'd start my own thread instead of hijacking the "See Your Dodge thread"

It was pretty neglected and sitting on two flat tires, but I got it VERY cheap.

So neglected the tires were std load car tires. They felt like they were made of Jello

Specs:

1997 Dodge Ram 3500 4wheel drive extended cab long bed dually

12v Cummins NV4500H.D. 5spd NP2(?) tcase Dana 60 4.10s open Dana 80 4.10's Power-Loc(works good)

202k

All power/leather etc.

Installed nice AM/FM/CD/MP3 Pioneer deck...speakers soon..busted out Beastie Boys Pauls Boutique the other day and realized quickly it needS speakers.
Dash cover from Ebay to cover cracked dash
New carpet will be here today--putting extra sound deadening matl under it.
Probably get Tim (Firetoy) to recover the cracked leatHer seats at some point.

Trans needs 3rd gear syncro..hence cheap purchase price..I have learned to double clutch/float it so its not at the top of the list right now.
Has a supposed HD clutch that holds well, but will not hold all I can throw at it right now, to be replaced with a 13" South Bend when I get to the trans rebuild.

The 12v Cummins runs fantastic..especailly with some diesel additive..never had a truck that made as much difference on additives.
The KDP looks to have a criminal record...the timing case has been JB welded togther on the top, but looks to be holding up fine...I may repair/replace case cover at some point.
Installed BHAF--Big honkin Air Filter...NAPA PN 2790. Works awesome
Removed silencer ring from turbo
Exhaust straight piped--needs completed
Fuel Plate/boost adjuster.
Replaced fuel filter WIF sensor
Lots more....
Gages in the mail to be here tomorrow, etc.

Picked up some 19.5s from Sam, and had brand new 245/70/19.5 Bridestones waiting to go on them.
Did some tradin with him for the wheels and traded an old ARB bumper for the tires. :)
Got them installed Sat. Thanks 4wp!
Really helped the hwy speed. With the stock tires and 4.10's it would top out at like 78 MPH.

Yesterday, WIll(Brokeass4runner) and Another friend came over, we installed New brakes. All of it.... Pads, calipers, rotors, shoes, wheel cylinders, hardware, adjusters, parking brake parts, drums, etc.

Brake pedal firm as they get, but still need to install the drums before I can test drive, they were eaten up from rear hardware falling into them, picking them up at lunch today.

Truck already had a B&W style turnover ball hitch in the bed. 12v winch power plugs wired to the bed with a on/off switch. had 7 pin in the bed for the gooseneck too.

More later....
 

Attachments

  • 1121101144-00.jpg
    1121101144-00.jpg
    235.5 KB · Views: 1,707
  • 19fahs.jpg
    19fahs.jpg
    66.2 KB · Views: 1,389
  • 19_faaas.jpg
    19_faaas.jpg
    77.2 KB · Views: 1,610
Last edited:
very nice rig, i wish mine was 4wd

Thanks!

Mine was 2wd untill yesterday. I made my own perma-lock for the CAD system...works just like a later model now..may loose 1 MPG but I'm cool with that untill I buy(or make) a Cable actuator kit. The cheese-dick Vacum system was broken...believe it or not. :lol: And installed a new ujoint in the 60. :driver:
 
yeah i finially turned my star wheel all the way,and took out the turbo ring out and get better diesel mileage then before. Are you going to be messing with the fuel plate or gov springs?
 
yeah i finially turned my star wheel all the way,and took out the turbo ring out and get better diesel mileage then before. Are you going to be messing with the fuel plate or gov springs?

Stock plate went in the trash. Ran no plate for a bit and it was awesome but about 50 horses to much for this clutch, I turned down the boost a bit and I have a #100 plate I am putting in.

It needs gov spring kit..think I'm just gonna go to the 4k and valve springs at the same time..that wil prob require someone who knows what they are doing to install, so It may be a while..spending money like water on this thing lately.

I got 13.3 towing and relaized this weekend 3 of 4 brakes were sticking at least a little, so with that and the taller tires, I'm hoping for 15-16ish. :popcorn:

And I want to have the timing set also..heard that helps milage and power too, but looks intimidating to me.

Anyone want to help for side money?:D
 
don't forget komatsu and cummins are parent company and i get great discounts on stock stuff(seals gaskets etc)

you know i can do anything to that cummins you want
i've got about any special tool and manual we'd ever need at work. just let me know

enjoy

and dang all that money and the pics looks like they were taken with a camera from the 80's sheesh:rolleyes:
 
what are your plans for engine modifications?

Why, wanna help? :D I dig your truck, man!! :beer: Was checking out your dyno vids the other day. :huggy:

Turning it down for now, but I do want to do the timing and gsk of some sort at least, you have a good link to the washer mod?, the links I have found on Cumminsforum have me scared of it, but really tired of defueling at 2500. :driver:

When I get a South Bend, I plan to maybe go bigger turbo is all..I think 500 horse-ish would be plenty fun..this SOB is fast now....well once you get into third, 1st and second are way too short.
 
don't forget komatsu and cummins are parent company and i get great discounts on stock stuff(seals gaskets etc)
you know i can do anything to that cummins you want
i've got about any special tool and manual we'd ever need at work. just let me know
enjoy
and dang all that money and the pics looks like they were taken with a camera from the 80's sheesh:rolleyes:

Nice. :huggy: I cant believe I never put 2 and 2 with that Komatsu/Cummins. Awesome. :beer:

All that money is spent...not in my pocket anymore...I am gonna buy stock in Napa brake pats. :lol:
 
Sweet Dude!

Thanks!

Its been Christmas for this thing lately. Gauges and new carpet showed up Monday, installing the gauges tonight with help from Aaron at 4wp. He has been a HUGE help with this truck. :beer: to you if you read this AAA-run.
 
He forgot to mention this thing rolls the midnight coal :lol: :huggy:



As far as building a badass towrig that will be fun as hell to drive...this thing is the perfect base. I still got first dibs when kyle goes to sell it...because you know he eventually will! :flipoff2:
 
Thanks Sam.

Tows good too.

Just hauled a 97 Land Cruiser I sold to a guy in Tampa, FL. It got an average of 13.3 MPG running about 72 MPH most if the time. Total weight was prob about 15k on the way there. Empty trailer in tow (10K gross) I got as much as 17MPG running 60-65 on the way back. A sixth gear would do wonders on this thing. Or an extra overdrive. :huggy:

I am very pleased with the milage for now.

EGT's stayed good also, but I am finally gonna get around to the 4" exhaust to help lower them even more.
 
Milked the clutch in it for 20 some odd thousand miles! ..99% of it was with the 30"GN trailer attached and at least one vehcle on it.,,average grossing between 18-23k lbs.

Ordered a South Bend for it today. Going to do all the hydaulics new also. Cant wait.. the one in it held very well for what I threw at it but with the third gear synchro MIA, I had to lug it in 4th more than I would have liked to, loaded heavy it would slip a bit.
 
Last edited:
Big thanks to Mike Travis at CFS Off-Road in Columbia, SC for the hook up and advice on the clutch!
 
Why, wanna help? :D I dig your truck, man!! :beer: Was checking out your dyno vids the other day. :huggy:

Turning it down for now, but I do want to do the timing and gsk of some sort at least, you have a good link to the washer mod?, the links I have found on Cumminsforum have me scared of it, but really tired of defueling at 2500. :driver:

When I get a South Bend, I plan to maybe go bigger turbo is all..I think 500 horse-ish would be plenty fun..this SOB is fast now....well once you get into third, 1st and second are way too short.
Id rather loose money selling you a gsk kit than see you trash a governor housing with a washer mod. I've seen 3 housings and governor assemblies trashed when owners used a washer to thick or bent governor studs etc. The gsk kit offers the same pedal and driveability that you have now with more rpm, the washer mod can make the pedal more touchy.
Just my opinion.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
Id rather loose money selling you a gsk kit than see you trash a governor housing with a washer mod. I've seen 3 housings and governor assemblies trashed when owners used a washer to thick or bent governor studs etc. The gsk kit offers the same pedal and driveability that you have now with more rpm, the washer mod can make the pedal more touchy.
Just my opinion.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

Ordered GSK kit yesterday. Sure as shit dont need the throttle to be more touchy..my linkage is kinda janky right now, and its touchy as hell. I am pretty sure it has to do with the zip tie holding it together..lol...probably gonna go ahead and fix that soon too, cant be too expensive to replace that linkage.
 
I am ready to see some progress on the 84 long bed before you sell it.......... Keep up the good work on the Dodge!
 
Depending on the year there is a linkage recall available. If its not up for the recall you can get either the b15 mopar recall kit, or you can order the complete linkage rod and ball end set. I can get the full recall part number if you like.
Keep in mind I normally have all these parts in stock as well as the gsk kit (pacbrake 3k and 4k combo kit for $85.00)

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
Kyle, you should talk to Lucas^^^^^^^^^ This guy knows his shit
 
Back
Top