[Big grey chevy cummins]

i have a 1998 chevy k1500 4x4. i has been straight axle swapped. on 1 tones and 38" tires. the next thing i want to do it a 6bt cummins swap.i have a couple questions.

To: anyone that has done this swap please help.
-what radiator/intercooler should i use? i already have an intercooler and radiator from a f700 with a 6bt. will that work?

 

[Philip]

I moved this into the conversion section for a better response. There are a few members that have done this swap.

 

[1994chummins]

Hey I have a 94 k1500 with the 6bt. Mine was done with a donation from a 92 w250 so it's all first gen parts. It uses the first gen inter cooler and a universal type radiator. I don't have exact measurements but it's just narrow enough to fit in between the outlets of the intercooler and maybe 6" taller. It's a little on the small side but it has overheated so it must be big enough. The best part is it allows me to use the stock Chevy hood latch. It's not like I'm using the truck to haul it's just a toy so not a lot lf heat is being generated. I'm not sure what size the radiator and inter cooler from that f700 is but I'm thinking it'll probably be about double the size you're going to be able to fit in there.

 

[Big grey chevy cummins]

1996 Suburban Cummins 12V Conversion Build up with pics

here is another thread i found. this seems to have worked pretty well.

 

[Big grey chevy cummins]

the only thing i am wondering with that thread is since that truck is a 2500 does that mean he has a different core support?

 

[Philip]

A 2500 sub should have been a big block truck. The support might be different due to a bigger radiator.

 

[48kenworth]

same core support. I used a modified 1st gen dodge radiator and a 1st gen dodge intercooler. Any intercooler bigger than the one in a 91.5 to 93 dodge is more work than its worth to try to fit with the stock condenser unless you are building a 500hp monster! In hind sight i would have gotten the best radiator for the least amount of money if I had gone full custom from griffin rather than modding an aluminum 1st gen radiator.

 

[Big grey chevy cummins]

the only issue with the gen 1 radiator is something that someone told me on 4btswaps.com they told me that they had a gen 1 radiator in there 6bt swapped k1500 and they had a problem with overheating when towing and so they switched to gen 2 and no more problems.

my truck is lifted on 38's and i pull race car trailers and sometimes an rv trailer on the weekends.

 

[Philip]

If he used a intercooled radiator and it over heated. He had a problem with the radiator itself. Most likely stopped up due to age and lack of regular maintenance.

If he used a nonIC radiator. Those were noted for being to small for the app.

 

[48kenworth]

If he used a intercooled radiator and it over heated. He had a problem with the radiator itself. Most likely stopped up due to age and lack of regular maintenance.



If he used a nonIC radiator. Those were noted for being to small for the app.

My 89 is still running a non intercooled radiator and I have never had an issue with overheating... Even in Texas grossing 30K+!!!! I have seen those posts on 4btswaps. None of the posts I saw were first hand experience!


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[Philip]

When the non-IC trucks were new. I used to talk to the trailer hot shot drivers. (All most all TT's are made 60 miles north of me). In flat country the non IC were all right. Get into big hills or mountains. They had problems with over heating.

 

[48kenworth]

When the non-IC trucks were new. I used to talk to the trailer hot shot drivers. (All most all TT's are made 60 miles north of me). In flat country the non IC were all right. Get into big hills or mountains. They had problems with over heating.

I might could see it in high elevation, on a hot day, pulling a heavy load up a steep grade,with an automatic transmission!!! I have alot of respect for you Philip but i have a Non intercooled radiator, in a 1st gen, that tows heavy crap, and my experiance has been contrary to your statement.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Rads were sized differently from nonIC to IC? Interesting.

 

[48kenworth]

A non intercooled radiator is a down flow radiator that has a smaller core size in width height and thickness than an intercooled radiator which is larger and horizontal flow.


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[Nor'Easter]

A non intercooled radiator is a down flow radiator that has a smaller core size in width height and thickness than an intercooled radiator which is larger and horizontal flow.


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Gotcha. :thumbsup: I was trying to wrap my head around a rad that was cooled by air that went through an intercooler, knew it didn't sound right.

 

[48kenworth]

Chrysler went to the higher capacity radiator when an intercooler ( which warms the air up before it gets to the radiator) and O/D trans were added to make up for the added heat load.


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[Big grey chevy cummins]

 

[Big grey chevy cummins]

^ that is how she currently sits. next thing that needs to be done is traction bars, then get started on the cummins swap

 

[Big grey chevy cummins]

right now the front has k5 blazer rear springs in the front. on average the front will drop about 1 to 2 inches. from what i have read if it only drops an inch i can do an add a leaf and its good to go. if it drops 2 or more then going to have to run k10 or k20 rear springs in the front with an add a leaf and that should level it out. if all else fails i will get a bit longer shackles. and yeah i hate that also. but i used to work for a body shop and i bought this truck wrecked and fixed it up. took about a week to make it look new.

 

[Big grey chevy cummins]

has anyone ever though of maybe putting the radiator in the truck bed for more room under the hood?