66 GMC/89 Dodge Cummins 4x4

I have an interesting prroject in mind...put the dodge running gear under the 66"jimmy"(my late father bought the jimmy new)I think that would make an awsome little truck!What wuold be easier,put the gmc body on the dodge chassis;orput the engine/trans,axles,etc under the gmc?any body ever done such a thing?am I crazy?

I'd put the jimmy body on the Dodge. The Dodge is heavier and can handle the torque better from that 5.9. I assume you're close by from reading some of your postings, ie: Royal Gorge Bridge. Where you at? I'm in Monument.

Fix the GMC up and keep it original and use the dodge. Just my thanking.
Frank

Dad's Jimmy

I'm at Delta,Delta county,Peach Valley area

Swap the bodies... I doubt the old running gear will much care for the twist in that Cummins.

Rod

Delta Red, Yes you are crazy! I have to ask in the words of the Little Kamikaze in Kamikaze School after the instructor told them they would take their planes and crash them into the US ships.......
Are You Out of Your Fricken Mind!!!!!LOL!
The 66 Jimmy is way to rare than to waste by cross breeding it with a different undercarriage. Especially if it has the 2 tone paint job or V6 in it. There is a cult like following of people who are looking for those old Jimmy's. If it is a Factory 4x4 it is even more rare.
In that time frame the GMC's had leaf rear springs where the Chevy's had trailing arms and coil springs. Chevys only had leaf springs in the 4x4, K-series package. it was not till 73 did chevy have leaf springs on 2 wheel pickups.
Please don't butcher that old Darlin.
Later,
John A.

Do it! By all means, what a great project. If you get bored with it, sell it to me and I will finish it and take it out to the Maxton mile with some seriously high gears in the rear. Bet that speed record hasn't been attempted yet. I wonder if there is a class for pre 70 turbo diesel, less than 6.0 liter, 4x4...

Aaron

Delta Red,What an Old Sweetheart! Didn't see your old girl till after I posted. Call me and I will give you a better option. Bolt off, bolt on Call me at you leisure in the next few days, If you don't get me leave me message, I am an Ins Agent, I may be in an appointment. My # is 512-577-3837.
Later,
John A.

your not crazy, you think the way I do. I like to repower stuff. I think I would get em side by side and measure it all up to start with. I would probably thing about putting the GMC on the Dodge chassis though. I have a 67 chev 4X4 with Olds power under the hood, makes a whole different truck out of it, and a V-8 S-10 etc, etc.

why would you desecrate that truck by even parking it close to a dodge??? Fix it up and leave it original and you'll have something worth more than scrap price.

Dave

I went the other way around. 30 years ago, a New York State trooper crashed into my 1969 Dodge W200 Power Wagon, with me in it. Tore the cab right off the frame. Later, I found a rust-free 1971 GMC truck. So, I took the GMC cab and stuck it on the 69 Power Wagon running gear. I still have it and still use it (off road now).
With the 4.88 ratio axles, it's not much good on the highway.

It was a very difficult job, and in retrospect, I was nuts to do it. But at that time, I had more time and energy, then money. When I first got done, when I turned the GMC steering wheel to the left, the Dodge front wheels went to the right. I thought it would be fun to keep it that way, but soon learned I'd never get used to it - and wind up getting killed. I finally took two hydraulic pumps off of John Deere 350 crawlers. Mated them together, and made a steering "reversing box." Stuck it between the steering box and wheel - and it made things work correctly. It's still working. The problem was - the Dodge used a box behind the front axle, and GMC used a box in front of the front axle. Totally different geometery.

I wish now I'd found a good Power Wagon cab and fixed it back to original. But, oh well.

NY has motor vehicle inspection once a year. I got aaked a lot of questions over the years about my "69 Dodge Power Wagon" that looked like a GMC. It stayed registered as a Dodge and i riveted the Dodge serial # tag to the door pillar. I also had problems with inspectors breaking wheel lugs. That because to inspect, one wheel gets taken off. Dodge has left-hand threads on on side, which many people aren't aware of. So, they turn them the wrong way and snap them off - unless I stop them first.

If it was my 66, I'd either keep it original, or if I really wanted a Cummins, stick a 3.9 liter, four-banger in there. It will fit nicer and get near 30 MPG. Seems a shame to spoil an original truck when you could buthcer a newer one instead. But, it's your truck.

why would you desecrate a good dodge running gear by putting a rustbucket G.M.body on it?

If you do swap bodies, there's a member of our pullers association that would be interested in the Dodge body. He's in Rye, Co. But looking at the the GMC, I think I'd restore it, not repower.

I am in the process of a 64 chevy on an 83 chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 frame and running gear. All done but the radiator, just hasn't came in yet. Did a 74 IH on a 77 chevy 3/4 4x4 frame some years ago. I say it's your truck go for it.

around here a running 6.9 is worth 3K, take the money and put it into restroing dad's truck

Delta Red, As I mention below But didn't elaborate on this Idea.... I know a guy that deals in the 64,65,66 chevy pickups the 4x4 version is identical to the GMCs, you ought to get a hold of him and see if you can get him you find you a 3/4T rolling 4X4 chassis to set your Jimmy on it will bolt straight up, If it has the 4-speed and the Divorced-Transfer case then you will have as close to Original truck instead of a Crossbred, mismatched rig, My thoughts! Call if you want the # or how to get in contact with.
OBTW run the #s on how many were made....Let me tell you that in the Chevy line Less Than 10,000 4X4 units were made in the 64,65,66 series, that is 1/2T, 3/4T, Long & short beds, cab-chassis Total! just a thought, GMCs will be less than that!!! Convert yours to a factory 4X4 that will be history, and if yours had the V6 it will be even better. Know a fellow in a town 25 miles away he has a 63 3/4T 4X4 long narrow-bed, w/ V6, 4speed Wide back window what a darlin, yours can be that head turning and workable.
Later,
John A.