Got the Cummins motor out. One piston might be cracked and one cylinder looks like it has some marks from a failed ring. Looks like it'll be off to the machine shop this week.
Also got some RCD brand 6 inch lift coils for the 1500 for $40. I'm working on getting the control arms and steering here in the next week. But now that the diesel needs machine work, all of my funds are being dedicated towards that. The goal is for it to be running by the last week of April.
Cummins update:
The guy who does my motor work quoted me $500 to do the following:
Clean block
Hot tank block
Bore block
Install freeze plugs (doesn't include purchase of plugs (which I already have))
Install cam bearing (same story ^^)
Clean crank
Polish crank
Install new pistons on rods (I think the pins are pressed in)
Plus another $300ish for the head:
Clean
Hot tank
Valve job
Mill the surface (deck the surface, mill the deck, whatever you want to call it)
Might see what he can do for a light port/polish job.
All together, I'm estimating $1000 (for budgeting purposes). That gives me a little wiggle room in case something pops up. The goal is for it to be moving under it's own power in 4 weeks!
Cummins is at the Machine shop now. I will either need to get my crank machined (spun a rod bearing) or find a good used/new one. A local diesel shop says they have a used one ready to go for $400. My dilemma is, do I...
1) Get my crank machined and go through the stress of shipping my new stock size bearings back to the company to exchange for undersized... totaling around $300 and a month of time
Or
2) Go get this stock size crank now and use the bearings I have in my possession... totaling $400 and less than a week of time
Besides that, the block is in the hot tank being cleaned right now and should be ready to bore in a day or two. The head will go in the tank shortly after.
Finally got the rest of my used lift kit! I'll need to get some bushings and ball joints, but it's ready to go on when I can do it. You'll notice there are two sets of coils. One set is the Skyjacker 7" coils, the other is the RCD 6" coils. I'm going to run the RCD springs because they are a 1/2 ton coil and I can get more flex out of them.
Also, this first picture is the truck the lift came off of. The owner is doing his own custom rock crawler build with it as you can see in the second pic. He cut 16" off the rear of the frame, Chevy leafs with custom shackles, Ford high pinion Dana 60 in the front with long arms and coilovers. The second pic is while he still had the old Skyjacker lift on the front, but his new setup on the rear.
Thank god your truck doesn't have the exhuast coming out of the bed of the truck lol
Getting a brand new one is not monetarily possible for me right now, otherwise I would. The diesel shop is where everyone goes from the eastern half of the state, they have a good reputation.
