How hard is it to convert a cummins into something

[cumminshp]

Hey guys im younger and work my as$ off my truck is just about done, but i want another one to do a budget build this one i wouldnt want to have much more then $2000 into once done. Im open to all body styles any years but for the most part i like older trucks. I wouldnt even care if it was 2 or 4 wheel drive (preferably 4x4 though). Now i want to do this cause i like mechanics and want to go to school for it along with some other stuff to do with the mechanics field and field of diesels. I just never grew up being around mechanics and had no one to teach me and its hard and i really like them and want more expierence and to do a full truck. Questions do you guys think i could do a whole build for like $2000or even $2500 or less. What would you guys use for a truck and engine i would want a ve or ppump i wouldnt mind a 4bt but those arnt easy to find. I would prefer a manual but wouldnt care.

Like about a year ago i met my buddy who is a heavy duty mechanic at finning and hes helped and tought me stuff. I can do quite a bit, i did everything in my sig he helped on some stuff though like the bigger stuff like the tranny build and doing the lift ect.

I am repainting my truck my self and doing the interior. Im good at welding like i said i can do mostly everything just getting really involved i dont have much experience and want more. All im asking is what do you guys think i should look for truck wise and motor wise, ppump or ve ? How would it be for a first timer to convert a engine/tranny into a different truck ? Is it hard to wire/mount everything up. I really want to do a budget build and learn more but want some opinions if it will be doable for me.

Sorry about jumping all over the place with saying random stuff

[cumminshp]

quit a bit of views so far.... Anyone got comments or any words of advice for me ??

Thanks

[Mudstomper99]

you would def have to search for deals to stay under budget..even looking at the price of motors and donor trucks thats damn near your budget and then some. good luck tho

[KRob]

That is probably why alot of views and no comments because i would have to agree with Mudstopmper....your budget is going to have to come up. The engine alone will blow it not to include the vehicle its going into. I will be watching though

[cumminshp]

Well what would be a low budget ? Id even be into taking just a first or second gen 2wd and lowering it or something and pulling everything the engine and tranny and all and then redoing everything, but i kind of want to put a ve or ppump if i can fit it into a 60s powerwagon. Also this build wouldn't happen for quit a while im just getting ideas.

[Darkstang]

Sucks being young...or old and a low budget

Here is what I would do. Matter of fact it is what I did!

Find a 1st Gen 4wd or 2nd Gen. I bought a 93 4x4 for $3600. then I parted out individual parts. This brought down my investment to slightly over a grand. keep buying vehicles and items to part and make the cash.

I bought my 78 F350 for $500. I shop every craigslist and all the local papers, swap sheets I can!

Take your time and make money as you go to fund your project!

I love the old 2wd trucks turned Hot rod diesel....

[Mudstomper99]

^^thats what i did also i bought my truck back in january and it still is not on the road yet but its close i have right around 6k in mine as it sits

[321flastunta]

im 22 and did my first swap n i think i have around $7 or $8k in mine swaps really not cheap to do them right

[cumminshp]

Ya well im 16 and i have about $12k my dad bought the truck but i bought everything else myself and i still have to paint it and do interior (doing it myself). But ya i wanna build another truck but i dont have alot of money and i paid my buddy because i was using his shop he helped and did alot and taught me stuff. But i want to build a truck all by myself now. Also only thing is finding all these deals around me is impossible and im in such a small area i cant part out and everything i found thats a good deal is usually over 20 hours away from me so its not worth it.....

[cumminshp]

well i started looking about 3 hrs away from me i found something im sure theres more but this would work and it looks clean and i could probably make at least half back if i parted out what i dont need. 1988 Dodge 4x4 First though i have to finish my truck. Im just getting ideas and thoughts as within the next year i want to start another project just need to firgure out how to fund it. Once im done my truck my job wont pay for much because it will be paying for upkeep and insurance on my current truck so the only thing to do would be make a profit on a truck... its just i dont know if my area is big enough to part stuff out

[cumminshp]

I want something old like 60's or older anyone know of any trucks that look good ? I like the 60s fords and the power wagon look good. I kind of want to build a 2wd mpg rig and just do slight mods and not have any big power but have it light and small so if i want to get on it the truck will still have some balls. Also i would want to make a flatbed for it

for example i like this ford

1012Dp West Coast Diesel Roundup 1960S Ford Truck Side Shot Photo 1

I think what i might do is my dad doesnt like to do the work but he is into old cars and trucks (has a 72 stingray and a 85 dodge crew cab long box 2wd were converting to 4x4 and doing a full body off the frame off resto and putting a ve or ppump in and a 6'' lift after my truck) I might ask him to keep and eye and ear out or ask some of his friends and old friends and all the people he knows if theres a old truck sitting in some field i could just have or something. Problem is finding one and finding one that isnt to far gone.....

[4wydnr]

Count me in with mudstomper and darkstang. I bought a well used dodge donor and parted it out for half of what I had into it. I got a deal on my 77 Ford from a friend who needed money. So far I have $2500 total into the truck and I've been driving it for just over a year.