To make a kind of long story short, I ended up with a '76 Crew Cab 2wd dually. Took some dealing but I got it. It came with a bunch of goodies, '93 front clip, brand new painted grille, completely rebuilt 4.10 dually rear, '93 TAKE OFF box (absolutely beautiful, though I didn't get that in the dealing). The truck is amazingly clean, the only spots that are not nice are the roof drip rail (due to sitting under a leaky lean to) and the bottoms of the rear doors are starting to bubble a bit. I am using my current truck to build this one, engine/trans., front doors, dash, blah blah blah. Hoping to be able to drive by the first of the year. I started the 4wd convert this morning and just need to swap the front axle and the front will be complete. If I can figure out how to get pics from my camera to the computer I'll post them up.

I do have a question. Does anyone have any advice on Torque Converters? I was thinking of doing a 47RH but the 518 in my truck works extremely well, just wish it had lock up. So I'll probably stick with the 518. I don't want to shell out alot of cash for a converter if I don't have to. Is there any converters available for a reasonable price? Thanks for any info.

 

93fury, I strongly suggest you make the swap to the 47rh, you will not regret it. I was amazed at the improvement it made to my truck. I also have an 85 crew and i did the tranny after the engine install. Kind of a pain but we goterdone. During the swap this would be the perfect time to do this. I am running an older Dunrite converter that is for an RV application. Early 80's model. I did some horse trading for the TC. If you can figure out a way to finance this you WILLL NOT REGRET IT!!!! HUGE IMPROVEMENT!!

 

Great project. I hope to find a crew someday . Much work to make it a 4X4? Is it all bolt on or was some welding required (like front spring hangers??).

I'm like Augie, the time to swap trannies is now while it is easy, physically - not financially. AND the time to drop in a good TC. I think mine's still stock but if and when the tranny does come out a new one (TC) will go in. There have been several good threads on which to use but I can't remember since I'm not quite to that point yet.

There's been several guys that have swapped their autos for a stick. Have you looked for a good used 47?

Good luck. You should have an enviable ride. We need pictures though!

 

Making the older trucks such as this crew cab are a bit more work, no welding though. My '92 had the rear shackle hanger holes already in the frame, the older ones do not. So I had made a template about a year ago for another 2 to 4wd convert, marked it out, cut the holes and put the hangers in. The front hangers just need to grind off the old rivets and bolt them in.

I do have a 47RH out of a buddies '96 that was swapped to an NV. The only problem with this trans was the converter. It shifted great just wouldn't stay locked up. Was there every a lock up version of the 518? I know that 727's (not sure if they came in diesels) could have been lock up or non.

What is involved with the 47 swap? I'm not to knowledgeable on transmissions.

Thanks guys, I'll get some pics as soon as I can.

 

Did some quick research there is some lock converters you have to find out dia of the shaft, with weights , the bolt pattern , the website that i found A518 was use alot vehicles and different motors behind it 3.9 to 5.9 to do some research you might find one or use a A618 found in deisel trucks and vipers

 

How to in the Sticky:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=114702

The 2nd gens were computer controlled for lock up so you'll have to do it manually.

No lock up in the 518s .

 

Phoenix Transmission makes a complete diesel lock-up A518 (including tq converter) for around $2500 shipped I think. This was about 6 months ago when I called them.

 

Thanks for the help guys, not sure what to do yet. Like I said, I'm not a tranny genius, so I might just stick with the 518. Maybe someday get the 47 in it. Not sure yet, got some time to gather up some parts and some extra cash. Be alot easier if it wasn't Christmas time.

 

Huh? The Viper has NEVER had an auto trans.

 

Just got home with the "project" as well. It will be a while for the Cummins conversion. Will probably run the gasser for awhile.

 

Thats what I'm talking about!

I'm waffeling between a crew and Ramcharger. Maybe one of each!

 

If its out a 96 you actually have a 47RE, not a bad thing in any way, has better internal parts than a RH, steel planet carrier instead of aluminum. I actually did this so I know it can be done, you can take the front section of the RE and the tail section of your A518, it gets involve because you have to take the whole trans apart to change the overdrive piston retainer, but you have all the parts to do the swap except maybe the bellhousing adapter and a 47RH valvebody.

The converter not staying locked was probably a sensor problem (most likely the TPS) and not the trans.

There where lockup 518's, but they where never put in diesels, same with the 727.

 

The tail section will bolt from the 518 to the 47RE? What is the difference between valve bodies? Maybe I'll just send the trans to you and you can set it up. Thanks JD730 and keep the info and advice rollin', believe me, I'm taking notes and really appreciate everyones help.

As for the lock-up 518's/727's, I new about the gassers having it just thought maybe they might have slung a few into diesels just for the fun. There is a guy near me that combined a butt load of parts trying to make a 727 lock-up. I haven't seen him in awhile so I don't know if he ever had any success. He came up and bought probably 4 trannies off of us trying to puzzle it together. But selling them at $100 a shot for old 727's from gas job trucks that can be picked up anywhere, I wasn't complaining. Thanks again.

 

Yuppers, in fact I even switch the innards too, used the newer gear set and clutch setup, just changed the output shaft to the RH one that includes the governor.

Just a few things, governor pressure are handled by a sensor and a solenoid. I don't mess with valve bodies. Best way to do it is get the valve body from the outfit you get the torque converter from. Thats where the big $$$'s go, torque converter and valve body, all the other parts aren't too bad, the next big $$$ parts are billet shafts.


NE PA can't be that far from me. What town? PM me your number and we'll talk about it.

 

the 4 door viper trucks (srt10 ) have 68re (618 ). its a viper v10 in front of it

daryl

edit: on further review, the srt10 has a 48re. i stand corrected