Mods
‘95 5.9L 12 Valve Cummins- dodge rad and intercooler, NV4500 5 speed trans, dual disk South Bend clutch (updated dodge master and slave with metal clutch pedal assembly via Eric Haverkamp), New Process 261XHDGM transfer case, tank sump kit with 1/2 fuel lines, modified P7100 injection pump(ground fuel plate/starwheel ran up), custom hood stack exhaust, 03 cateye front clip swap(hood,fenders, grille, headlights,etc.-most from junkyard), 3” Rough Country suspension lift, custom diamond plate dash and interior, 20” wheels and 35” mud tires, complete ECM/PCM delete- all custom wiring/relays, (full mechanical truck- no computer), 4” tube bumpers full welded to frame.
Build story
My name is Chris Cozart. I bought the truck 10+ years ago as a 8.1L/ZF s6-650 6 speed manual truck. I installed the bumpers and some other cosmetic stuff hut mainly just drove the truck as a work truck. About 4 years ago the 8.1 slung a rod bearing and 6th gear was out on the trans. I removed the engine and trans and due to cost to repair, i sold both of them. The truck sat for 4 years and I was going to scrap the truck but due to sentimental reasons( similar to Rich and his silverado- drove this truck to honeymoon, dating, kids, hauling way to heavy equipment, done alot to it) i hated to get rid of it. My brother in law suggested i do a Cummins swap and introduced me to Richs silverado youtube videos. I decided to attempt the swap myself. I found a donor truck in chuckey, tn and traded a four wheeler for the truck with everything but a transmission. Me and my brother in law hauled it 2.5 hours home. I removed everything i needed from the truck to do the swap (engine, rad, intercooler and piping, etc) and parted the truck out. I used the funds from the donor truck parts to find a 2wd nv4500 in jackson, tn and bought it, rebuilt it and converted to 4wd. I made custom motor mounts and altered trans mount and dropped the cummins and nv4500 into place. The factory transfer case and driveshafts fit. I welded the motor mounts to the frame and installed the rad and intercooler. I got my 03 cateye fenders, hood, headlights and supports from the local junkyard. I sanded and painted my fenders and installed. After running fuel lines, adapting to hydroboost, fan belt, etc. i primed my P7100 with help from a buddy and got my Cummins running. The project from donor truck to running in the silver was a little over a year. Once it was running i did drive it down the road and tested everything a few times. I then built my diamond plate dash from a roll of aluminum i bought off ebay. I cut, broke, and installed all the metal myself. I installed a hood stack and diamond plate trim ring. I installed the lift kit and wheels and tires. (All of this in my gravel floored shop in Watertown, Tennesse. I did at least 95% of the research and work on this project myself, the other 5% was my buddies helping me do the things i couldnt do myself. Almost every nut and bolt on this truck i have turned myself at some point.) The truck is still a project and has a long way to go but thanks to deboss garage and rich for the information and videos my Cummins swap is running and coming along very nicely i think. Thanks Rich and everyone else involved in the 2021 Internetional car show!