Diesel Bombers - 1984 CUCV M1009 getting 6BT

Hi Guys,

Just joined this awesome site. First off, thanks for all the great information here. I am fairly new to diesels, and all I can say is I'm selling all my gassers and buying or putting Cummins in everything for now on!

I bought this 1984 M1009 in February and have been building it since. We take it out every weekend and do adventures. I live in Southern California, and have traveled CA in it, along with NV and AZ. Hitting trails and National Parks, camping, kayaking, mountain biking, bunjee, skydiving, and anything else we can find.

This rig came from the Navy Seabees and has the 6.2 Diesel. This was my first diesel and with the help of Steel Soldiers I have learned it inside and out. But I want MORE POWER!!!! of course! So, I bought the 1990 Dodge Ram seen in the photos from my buddy. It was used to pull planes around, and has the 6bt with the VE Pump, non-intercooled with 9k miles on it.

I will learn this motor backwards and forwards as well. I do wish it had the P-pump, but it does not. I will learn the mods I can make for this, as, speaking unintelligently and unlearned at this point, I am hoping to get 600-700+ ft/lbs from this thing, reliably of course. I will also learn if the TH400 can/will be practical, and will be using a Gear-Vendor that my buddy is giving me. I will be installing a Dana 60 LS and a 14B FF w/ Locker, 4.56 gearing, from another Military truck-the M1028. I will learn if this package will work and be practical.

The rig is expected to way approx 7,000 lbs+, geared up. I will be fabbing a front bumper with winch, rear bumper with tire swing w/ 2 37" spares, and a winch, plus a roof rack with a Roof Top Tent, and additional Jerry cans up top.

It is not uncommon for us to put on 1500 miles in 3 to 4 days of our adventures. So my goal is to cruise on the Highway, then hit trails. I have no idea at this point of the kind of mileage to expect, but I will learn this as well. I am getting 17 mpg the way it sits, and this is with offroad miles included during our travels.

Thanks in advance for all the questions you have already answered, and future ones I'm sure to have.

Best wishes and happy travels,

Dave