Ive been in the search of a worthy 3/4 ton chevy or ford 4x4(preferably ford) truck for a cummins swap project, for a while. But, lately, Ive been bouncing around the idea of a cummins 4bt (if I can find one) in a half-ton chevy or ford 4x4. My question is, will a half ton suspension hold a cummins 4bt without any mods?

 

Hold? Yes. Gracefully, and for years and years? Maybe not so much. The very fact that you're asking shows that you're already aware of the 7-800lb portliness of the 4bt. There are guys that put 6bt's in their unmodified 1/2-tons, but, I don't know how happy they are.

Even if you swapped in heavier springs and such, in order to simulate a 3/4T situation, you're still carrying all that weight on those lighter front axles, and sending more torque thru the light-duty drivetrain. That, you can get away with, if you don't trap that drivetrain between a load that won't go, and a motor that won't give up. If you do that, you'll break some expensive, inconveniently-located piece somewhere between the crankshaft and the wheel-hub.

Were it me, I'd still hold out for a 3/4t rig. At the very minimum, something with an 8-lug Dana 44HD, or similar.

 

Yeah, Im looking for a project to do. I really want a fummins or chummins project. But, I dont want a money pit. At this point Im looking at this from all angles before I commit to it. But, Im not opposed to buying a completed fummins or chummins project truck.

 

I've been using my Dodge 1500 with the gasser suspension in it, i haven't had the time to swap it out...

it has about 5cm (2") that it can travel downward... before it hit's the "bump stop"....

so... you will have to get beefier springs for a 6BT, the 4BT might be the "****" with gasser suspension...

I say swap a 4BT in a half ton.... they've been put in Rangers and Dakotas....

 

Hey bro. Long time no type. Well I sold the vette and Ive got almost 16 grand burning a hole in my pocket. So, now I can really look into a fummins or chummins project. Like I said, im checking out all angles with the 6bt and 4bt conversions. BTW, how's your leg coming along? Did you ever get your isssue with your twins worked out?

 

Yes i'm waiting on parts for the HX60, 92mm inducer on the intake wheel i'm using...

Looks like i'll need surgery for the foot, not sure when i want to take that step... but i will as soon as i have time...

I'd get a 6BT and swap it in a Chevy GMT800 and get axles from a 2nd gen Dodge too...

 

What Im gonna go is compile a list, for the 4bt in a half ton and 6bt in a 3/4 ton, and comapre the two. Ya know, mull over the pros and cons of each, as well as cost. BUT, If I happen to find an already built fummins or chummins, Ill buy it right out. I just want a "different" daily driver, and give bigg redd a rest and only ude it for pulling my travel trailer or long hwy trips. I cant take bigg redd off road b/c its too low for hill climbing and such.

 

i dont know if my rig really applys here but you would have to take it pretty easy on the 1/2 ton parts to make them live.
i have swapped most of my 1/2 ton stuff on my truck and the HD dana 44 still has a tendancy to eat axles off road, i have to be very careful, which is why i have a Dana 60 front sitting in my garage getting ready to be installed.
granted this is with a 6BT and a 5 spd, with 35s and lockers

 

Thats good info anyway. heavy weight and high torque is a concern for the longevity of suspension parts and such.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

Cummins Bronco........THats pretty sweet!!!!!

 

yeah, i have my D44 up front and a 9,25" back there... i had to weld the diff in the rear so it would hold up, kept blowing these and the 9,25" lockers..

i will be swapping axles and suspension as soon as i have time, but these pars were not made for this weight and torque..