93' Sububrban 4x4 Cummins 4BT

[b1jetmech]

Hello all.

I wish to share some of my conversion experiences with you. I had a 93's Suburban with a 4BT. Between kids in diapers, work and school, it took me a year and half to perform this conversion. After all said it done it turned out pretty good.


Here is the suburban before the conversion.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban1.jpg

Rip and tear...work begins at dismantling.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban10.jpg

Here is the engine. A 105 horse Cummins 4BT. Final installation of the engine included a 90" 5.9 Turbo H1C with a 12cm housing.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban25.jpg


The original transmission was a 4L60E. I preferred a non electronic tranny so I got a internet order 700R4 built for torque. The only problem, the builder didn't include a diesel governor like I advised him to.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban5.jpg


First issue. The 4BT is from a GM stepvan which includes a GM adapter and flexplate. The flexplate has a turbo400 torque converter bolt pattern and 700R4's torque converters didn't have th400 bolt patterns.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban7.jpg

Issue resolved by having a torque converter shop build me a torque converter with the spring pads located further out to match the TH400's bolt pattern. The torque converter was built including a carbon fiber clutch.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban6.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban8.jpg


Engine/tranny mated.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban12.jpg

[b1jetmech]

Out with the old tired 350.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban11.jpg


In with the Cummins. It would be in-n-out countless times until every thing fit nicely.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban13.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban14.jpg


An AC bracket purchased from the Cummins dealership. This will mount the Dodge style AC compressor high up.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban15.jpg


A couple of pics of the accessories mounted.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban18.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban19.jpg



Problem, the AC compressor interfered with the 4BT's stock horizontal oil filter location. A vertical mount was used from a Dodge 5.9
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban20.jpg

[b1jetmech]

The 4BT's oil pan interfered BIG time with the 4WD third member. I didn't want to lift the Burb' so I began hacking away at the oil pan untiul clearance was negotiated.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban16.jpg
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban17.jpg


Finally the finished product!
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban22.jpg


A tight fit but it clears (Whew!)
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc39/b1jetmech/4BT%20Suburban/4btSuburban24.jpg




And now some video action from...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV903Ai7Uhg

Chase

[AVM62]

Very nice. Thanks for posting.

[93GMCSierra]

Did you replace the vacuum booster with the hydro system?
Your vid looks like the hydro setup. but I could not tell.

[Edahall]

Did you replace the vacuum booster with the hydro system?
Your vid looks like the hydro setup. but I could not tell.

The Cummins has a high capacity vacuum pump and works fine with the vacuum booster. In fact, all the older Dodge's with the Cummins engine used the vacuum system.

[b1jetmech]

Thanks AVM!

As far the power brakes I utilize the existing hydro-boost steering system that came with the motor.

The cummins vacuum pump wouldn't fit on this paticular application because it would have interfere with the motor mounts that were used.

If I were to do another cummins swap it would be a 5.9 because it's longer and have more room to locate components like the AC compressor and cummins style vacuum pump.

Chase

[bobbywalter]

often, people have to ask if i have a diesel....usually at the gas station.


the funny thing, i test drove a 2wd 1/2 ton with a 4bt in it....could have got the whole rig for a 1000 bux. (i passed on it, and after i thought about it i called to back to buy it so i could part it and it was gone).

it was a beat to **** farm truck but a cummins swap for the ranger for max economy was the goal. didnt take long for me to figure out someone would have to give me a great running complete 4bt power train radiator to transfercase, hopped up to 200 hp for absolutely free....before i would ever put up listening to that thing for 40-100k miles a year.

i have seen turbo 6.2(replaced broke 6.5) burbs like that supposedly getting 26 plus mpg cruise...tried to buy the one truck several times...

cool swap none the less.

whats it like 0-60 and on ramp wise?