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  1. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Still have bugs to work out, loose ends to tie up... but somehow this seemed like a necessary upgrade.
  2. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    I'm going to shoot for that... I thought 19 mpg traveling mostly 70-75 mph with no torque converter lock up was pretty good!
  3. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    The maiden voyage was overall a success. My timeline for this swap was originally based on selling off some of my old "stuff" and buying what I needed to continue the project. The need for using the vehicle to move my mom back from AZ took precedence, and I spent a little more out of pocket...
  4. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    LOL, well, it needs to rev up just a little more :p I just finished up the exhaust, and have a few more important things to do before the trip... So it's possible it will still be stock for the trip. Time left before the trip beat out money for the exhaust I wanted to put on the Suburban. The...
  5. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Wondering if there is anyone in the area that has done the Cummins swap, maybe has some Cummins parts laying around... I'm in the SE Michigan area, specifically Monroe, MI. Send me a message, I'd like to hear from you. Maybe we can exchange ideas, maybe you bought parts you don't need? Perhaps...
  6. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    You have the Cummins! You're off to a great start. This afternoon, I've been playing with the US Shift shift points on my set up. For some reason, the shift points from there file were way off. When I first uploaded the stock file I put the rear tires up off the ground and made sure the trans...
  7. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    YES! The A/C being functional for the trip is Mission: Critical. This trip isn't just a family outing. We're driving out to pack up my mom from her place she was renting out there, and moving her back home here in MI.
  8. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Time for another up date... Believe it or not, my goal is to take this on a cross country trek at the end of this month (July), from MI to AZ. I still have several loose ends to tie up, and I need to get some drive time on the Suburban to make sure there are no maintenance items that need to be...
  9. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    More UPDATES! I have my Alternator bracket fab-ed up, and installed. I sourced some more Junk Yard parts also. I found a diesel Suburban in the local yard, I'm going to see if I can use the GM air filter box, and I was able to get the Left to Right battery cable off of that Suburban too...
  10. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Just an update to let everyone know I haven't given up :P I haven't made major advances in the build, but I'm still slowly making progress. Yesterday I ordered the shift control module for the 4L80E. I went with the US Shift; Quick 4. Not the least expensive option, but I think the advantages...
  11. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Looks like the down pipe is tight with this particular manifold, no mater how high or low the engine is sitting in the frame. Other people have made it work with this exhaust manifold, so I'm going to give it a shot! I'm not sure about 4" though. I was thinking I would make a 3" downpipe to...
  12. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Keep in mind... I wouldn't be doing this swap if the 7.4L that was in this Suburban ran "so damn great," it was rod knocked... I like Big Blocks so much, it was nearly a 496 stroker. Smitty
  13. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    I set the engine in as low as I could go, hopefully not too low. It does have VERY tight clearance on the drivers side between the pan rail and the front differential. I don't know how much it's going to shake or bounce around on the mounts, but if there isn't enough clearance I have a pretty...
  14. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Wow! It's been too long since I've had enough done for an update. Finally found some time to get to work on the swap, so here's the little bit of progress I've made: Fabricated the engine mounts, here's a pic of mocking up the passenger side mount: I drilled the holes for the First Gen...
  15. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    I guess there is a 5 pic upload limit... so here's the rest of the update. The engine mount pads also need a trim, as well as a bar that runs from the front cross member to the frame rail. It definitely needs cut out on the Pass side, and I have removed that. It may need to be removed on the...
  16. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    I have an update on this build. Finding time to get to it proves to be difficult sometimes! But I think I'm moving along pretty well. Watching YouTube videos, and reading every thread I can find on doing a Cummins swap in a GMT400, I have a heads up on some of the things that need to be done...
  17. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    How about this teaser pic... Have a blessed weekend everyone. Smitty
  18. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    KDP fix installed... got busy chit chattin' with a customer I had just finished up with as I was putting it together and forgot to take a pic of the fix installed. But, this is what I did: I took a sharp chisel and removed a little bit of the material between the dowel and the bolt that is...
  19. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    *UPDATE* So these parts arrived! And the transformation has begun, turning this in the a bonafide GM 5.9L Cummins! Clearance had to be made for the retrofit starter: Next up, KDP fix and get the parts I took off cleaned up and back on, new water pump and thermostat while I have it...
  20. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    LOL, of course I'll do the KDP, and any maintenance that looks like it needs to be taken care of, just not planning on any "Mods" before installation. I know me... I won't be able to stop. It would end up being completely rebuilt, with studded mains and head, valve job, springs, big cam, port...
  21. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    I'm curious what you mean by "if you wanted serious speed a different engine comes to mind." However, when I think of a K2500 Suburban, images of dragracing doesn't come to mind... In the cace of my Suburban, I'm not attempting to make a racing vehicle, just a tough truck. I think the Cummins...
  22. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Thankfully, this Suburban is not the one I use on a regular basis for driving back and forth to work and towing. I still have my rusty but (mostly) trusty 1996 K2500 Suburban. So, I don't have to drive it everyday and can take some time wrenching on it to fit it all together. I'm planning on...
  23. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    Wow! That sounds awesome! 13 Swaps, I wouldn't mind seeing pics of each of them. I just purchased the adapter and flex plate I'll be going with, from American Hot Rod Solutions. I have heard about the 3rd Gen Manifold for A/C clearence, but haven't sourced those parts yet. Next step is to get...
  24. SmittySS

    1997 K2500 Suburban Cummins Install/Conversion

    I have thought in the past about doing a straight axle, but it isn't a change I'm going to make unless it come down to necessity... Aside from enjoying the ride of the IFS, it also is not a priority to increase the step in height. The main objective of this build (and I need to keep this in...
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