Cummins 6bt swap

[rocky4by]

Hello, I'm new to the site and I am looking for some information on doing a cummins 6bt swap into a 1967-715, I picked up from a neighbor. I ended up with two 715 from him both have good bodies and mostly complete. He said the one was running very good till the fuel pump went out, that was four years ago and now the engine is stuck. I'll post some photo's soon of the my trucks.I have had 715 in the past and I will not keep the stock engine. Anyway I would like some information on the 6bt swap how well do you like the performance, does it feel heavy up front, what mileage? any photos would be great.
Thanks Steve.

[Barrman]

Steve,
Welcome to the Zone!

Now, about the 6BT. There are about 15 threads with that topic already talked to death. Look through Modified forum threads and you will find days and days of reading.

Basically, it will work but you have to cut the firewall.

[Mikel]

Steve,

Basically, it will work but you have to cut the firewall.

Not necessarily. I don't have the front clip back on mine, but I appear to have plenty of room for an electric fan and radiator. The intercooler will need to go INSIDE the front grille panel.

[gun512]

That is looking nice Mikel. I have noticed on a few swaps there has been custom, or the replacement of the frame rails up front. Is this for any reason pertaining to the 6bt swap or was it for other reasons? I will be completing the same swap as soon as i get out of this dust bowl i'm in.

[rocky4by]

Thanks for the welcome and the replies/photos. I hope to have my Cummins in a few weeks, it's not a intercooler model but is a very low mileage 12 valve. As far as the rest of the truck I think I will want to use the NV4500 trans and the 1ton CUCV axles not sure on the transfer case yet. Hey Mikel can you tell me a little about your frame work, do you feel the stock frame is not strong enough? does the new part tie into the old or is that a whole new frame under the truck? I was planning on setting my engine back in the cab about 6 inches I thought it would help balance things out some pluse a little more room up front.
Thanks Steve

[Mikel]

Hello,
I made a new frame because I'm turning my M715 into a 6x6. I think that for moderate use, a M715 frame is stout enough for a 6BT. I recently parted a 1990 Dodge Ram W350 4x4 with the 6BT, and the frame was VERY flimsy. If that is enought for a 6BT, a M715 frame should do fine.
Thanks,
Mikel

[ryanroo]

i don't see one empty beer bottle in those pictures? how can you build something as cool as that and not have a single empty beer bottle?
looks like great work, but won't your tires ger close together or maybe rub if you droop one side all the way on both axles? are you worried about the rear steering itself at all?

ryan

[Mikel]

There is room for 48" tires - More than enough for the 1100x16 XL's. The rear suspension is going to have a small amount of steer, but hopefully it won't be significant.

[gun512]

looking good Mike...When you are done will you sell it to me for an unbelievably low pirce?? PLEASE...come on man i said please.

[rocky4by]

I'm looking for a little information on the Cummins 5.9 engines that are not the intercooled type. The one I have found is very low miles 40,000 and the none intercooled type. This truck will be a daily driver, the normal weight I pull is 2000-6000 pounds short hauls, I do make a few 5000 miles hauls once and a while that might weigh around 8000-12000. How well will this none intercooled engine do the job? What kind of milage can I expect? I wanting to figure out what to expect compared to an intercooled one or a good old Chevy 350. I will be trying to keep the truck looking stock and about the same height the truck will also be used for some off road use. I have done smallblock Chevy swaps into Toyota's with out lifts and not cutting the firewall, the more I look at the M715 it seems like this will fit very nicely.
Thanks for any information Steve.