1947 Ford 1.5 Ton 'Heavy' W/ A Cummins
 

Hey everyone, just thought I would share my conversion with you. Say hello to my 1947 Ford 1.5 Ton DRW 'Heavy' (They didnt have the F-series yet). The cab and fenders were ripped off of the original chassis as the frame had too many cracks etc in it and is now sitting on a GM-P30 chassis with independent front suspension, disc brakes up front, 13.5 X 4" drums out back, and a much higher availability of parts as well as safety. Under the hood is a 93', re-built in 2003 Cummins 3.9L Turbo Diesel that is mated up to a 1996 Ford F-250 5Speed manual transmission. Were not moving yet, but I'm getting close. ENJOY and comments welcome.

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VERY nice project!!!! i bet that will be a nice ride when it is done. definitely keep us updated with pictures and definitely the first ride's video.

oh ya :hi:

and i want that Jim Beam Racing sign...lol

sweet man

looks like you have the motor and tranny in top notch shape thats a goooood start

is that a ZF tranny?

anr you gonna do an intercooler?

TKeep us updated with this project man......very cool

You bet thats a ZF S-542 tranny.... and an intercooler will be put on HOLD as I will have the truck driving and in working order before I bolt on the 2003 HY-35 Turbo and then put on an intercooler to give the little 4 CYL a power boost along with a 3200 gov spring and viola..... hello ft-lbs and PSI

Awesome looking project, I would love to get my hands on an old truck like that to restore/modify.. Don't be afraid to take more pics, we all love pics:c:

looks sweet,thinking about doing a 24valve into a K-5 International myself!

Gonna be bad azz!!:U:

saw that in Diesel power. keep us posted

Yup, she was in the June 2008 issue of Diesel Power Mag and I have to keep sending in pictures and updates in regards to the project for a potential build story article.

now that's cool. it would be nice to put a plug in there for Diesel Bombers.

so how did dieselpower get wind that you were doing this project?

4BTSwaps.com and I worked on a 1966 Mustang Fastback for a bit and sent in a few articles and was in communication with Hot Rod magazine's editor, when I ended up selling the mustang project (never work with your garage door open and are always open to the idea of 'if its in my garage, its for sale' mentality') I spoke of my 1947 project. Diesel Power which is owned by the same company, I was then contacted by Diesel Power asking for a few questions and info and viola... reader project quick tidbit article. Its quite a unique build, and I think thats what catches alot of eyes on the build. That and the 1947 Ford 'Heavies' (no F-series yet) are quite a rare and unique breed of truck. Throw in the Cummins 4 cylinder 4BT which is another rarity of its own and I ended up having a pretty cool project in my eyes.

Threw in some more pictures from this weekends work....

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i think it's an awesome project. are you going to keep the interior and all "original" or retro it? maybe A/C, power windows and such or is it gonna be a towing machine and just be a clean original piece of work?

Interior will be a moderate retrofit. Gauges across the entire dash (remember it is an old narrow cab) but will include Fuel, Oil Pres, Oil Temp, Water Temp, Speedo, Tach, EGT, Boost, Fuel pressure) otherwise the bench seat is gone for 2 bucket seats. Fuel tank was under the bench seat, but will be now replaced by dual 33 gallon round saddle tanks off of an isuzu NPR truck.... one of which will be fuel, the other will be a tool box/battery box. No power windows or AC. I told myself with this project there will be ZERO computers and as little electronics possible. The cummins 4BT itself is a 2 wire hookup....one to the starter, one to the solenoid, and that type of mentality will carry though the entire truck. Only electronics besides normal operating, will be onboard air compressors and elec solenoids, CB radio (gotta have the whipper antennas on the semi-truck mirrors) and a radio/cd player with 4 hidden 6-1/2" speakers.

Just went junkyarding and found some seats that were within my limitation measurements. Otherwise enjoy a few other tidbit photos.


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is that a center console out of a Mustang?

Just another update guys..... as always, enjoy and comment if you feel like it.
***NOTE....I used up some excess paint to prevent flashing (flash rusting) of fenders*** It is CLOSE to the color I will be using, but with metallic flake.



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lookin good there bud :U: i'd love to see that thing in person....

that will look really good on that body truck

was there not enough room to cram a 6bt in there?

Cool project man.:U:

What made you settle on a 4bt and not a 6bt?

4BTA
 

I saw this build in the Magazine and loved it, just awesome !!! I'd like to know what you got the motor and tranny out of, bread truck ?!? I want one of the 4BTA Cummins in my 1967 C20 Chevy; my neighbor has the Isuzu in his Suburban and it is a nice rig. I was worried about wiring until I read this thread; WOOHOO !! 2 wires, that's my kinda deal !!! Will I need anything special like fuel tank return lines or electric fuel pumps ???:pca1:

HA..... you try fitting a 6BT where an old flathead V8 was..... needless to say the 4BT will be tight.... the 6 BT would have required me to remove about 13 inches out of my firewall..... a little too extreme for me. Plus a waste too..... these little 4BT's 3.9L will make about the same as a first generation 12V 6BT with a little tinkering.

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fuel tank return lines..... the fuel pump is all mechanical.... simply start the engine and the mounted mechanical fuel pump on the engine will suck it right outa the tank

I've been thinking this would be a lot harder than it sounds. I'm so ready to get this done to my '67.:U:

Just an Update
 

Just an update guys.... fired the engine for the first time after rebuild.... enjoy the 1st start ever and the 2nd start.....




Note the exhaust etc is all just for mock while I get all the air, fuel, and brake lines ran first. (Air suspension all around)

Otherwise here is the last shot I have of the truck with the saddle tanks mock mounted. (Yes they will be higher off the ground)



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lookin' GREAT :U::U:

sounding great...that's even more important.

any new updates? this thing is awesome

that truck is the ultimate BEAST..it beats it all haha..thats a nice project hope it all turns out good for ya

more updates
 

Just another update guys....

Although it took a little fabrication work on the A arms.... the coil springs are now gone and the 8" diameter airbags are in. 1947 Ford 1.5 ton go up... 47' Ford 4BT diesel go down.... enjoy

judging by the video, that's a lot of travel. air ride is the only reasonable solution I can come up with for building up an old heavy duty truck, that should make a huge difference in being practical daily driver.

Hey guys... figured its been awhile since an update.

Havent done ALL that much on the truck with deer hunting and the holiday but heres an update.

Finalized the appearance and gauges on the dash finally as well and got them modeled up in Solidworks 09'

Got the brakes and hydroboost system worked out and finally located the master cylinder. All that is left now is to lengthen up the pedal a bit and move it a bit toward the center of the cab to make room for the clutch pedal.... Enjoy!

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~Mike

Very nice! Keep up the great work :U: :c:

That is such a sweet truck! I'll have to keep a lookout for it on the streets when it's finished. There is nothing like a home built diesel rig to just make a person happy, is there?

Nice set up. Are you going to bag the rear, too?:U:

Nice start. you're gonna want that intercooler real soon. You need to turn that 4BT to a 4BTA and turn the fuel up to max to get some reasonable power to move that heavy metal. You're starting with 105 hp stock and will need every bit of the 180-190 h.p. you can turn it up to for free-way entrance speeds and acceleration. Love the old bodies like the millitary Dodges and the 4BTA inside.

Are those fuel tanks aluminum?? What are the dimensions?

The tanks are steel...... 33 gallons each

any updates?

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Just an update...

Steering Column soon to come