What Is This Worth? (Cummins Swapped GMT400 Content_

In my continuous search for a "forever truck" to outfit as a tow rig, adventure rig, support truck, farm truck, do it all indefinitely serviceable thing, I found this Cummins swapped Chevy dually on craigslist.  Looks like the truck is decent but the swap isn't really complete- what is this thing worth?  I have to admit I like the idea of this engine in this platform, but I'm not sure what one should expect to pay for it, or have to spend (in terms of time and money) to finish the swap.  This would be a long term project if I were to get it.

Engine alone is worth probably $2500, assuming you can hear it run or they have video of it running. The oil filter sure looks banged the hell up, so who knows what else was done during the swap. Looks like a nice adapter plate in there for the trans too, worth around $1000 new. The rest isn't worth much more than scrap since it's not running, though that is a pretty low-mileage chassis. Without seeing it run, I would hesitate to pay more than $3500. 

This is just a Cummins swap kit that comes with a shell.

In reply to maschinenbau :

I'm totally fine with a swap kit that comes with a shell.  I'll need to see how the guy sounds, and whether he thinks this collection of parts is made of gold...

Cummins swap?

They always think they are made of gold.


Not to mention the fact that no price is listed and he has "no Time for tire kicks"

We had a 6.5l turbo version of that truck on the farm, I liked it a lot, and dad still has a 454 version as a farm truck.  The 6.5l grenaded, dad swapped a "rebuilt" eBay motor in it, and about a week later it also grenaded.  Disgusted with it, and sick of dealing with it, dad parked in the family junkyard/pasture with other "parts" cars and future projects.  I had always imagined doing the exact same swap as that CL ad, well maybe a 24V if I could get a good deal on one.  That truck was parked dead for 10+ years, and some passer-by just recently stopped unsolicited and bought it.  Dreams crushed...

If you want another data point, I recently bought this from a friend, '89, 12V, auto, 4x4, recent pump rebuild, new reman injectors, 89K miles. It's ugly, but has all the right parts.  I gave roughly 2.25 challenge cars for it.   Around here, if it wasn't beat up, didn't need a hood, and still had fair-to-middling paint on it, it'd be a 6K truck.  If it were a later intercooled truck and had a 47RH instead of the 727 it'd be $7-8K.  The Cummins tax is nuts!

One of my main comparison points is that this exists:  https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/d/cascade-1990-dodge-cummins-5speed/6935378870.html

So $3k would get me an engine, trans, and free truck to go with.  Yeah, this one has a bigger/better truck wrapped around it, but still.

Also I kind of want to just buy the Dodge now too.

I hate knowing that I'll probably never own another 12 valve truck because of the stupid Cummins tax. A $1500 clapped out square body is now $6k with a 12 valve in it.

With how crazy the 6BT tax is these days, you could buy a REAL Cummins for the same price...

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/hvo/d/lugoff-94-volvo-day-cab/6941940535.html

I paid $2500 for a high mile (230k) but rust-free crew cab GMT400 dually with a 454 big block, working A/C and a 5 speed NV4500.  Pulls anything, and gets 10 mpg empty, full, towing, or parked in the yard.  

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

One of my main comparison points is that this exists:  https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/d/cascade-1990-dodge-cummins-5speed/6935378870.html

So $3k would get me an engine, trans, and free truck to go with.  Yeah, this one has a bigger/better truck wrapped around it, but still.

Also I kind of want to just buy the Dodge now too.

The Dodge you listed isn't intercooled. It isn't 4wd. And is a standard cab without a bed.

You would have to add the price of this truck to the price of a nice 4wd '99 Crew Cab dually that runs an drives to hit the floor of what this guy is going to want.   And I'm betting he likely wants more than that.  Look up the prices of Fummins and Chummins if you think I am full of it.

In reply to Cooter :

Yeah dude I berkeleying get it... but he hasn't called me back yet so there's still hope 

Occasionally you run into somebody reasonable who understands that they're selling a basketcase, that's why I always call and check.  More often than not, they're what you expect, though.

Well, your title did ask what it was worth...

All I did was tell you what these guys are asking for them.   I've watched the prices since I bought my first 12v 20 years ago, and my first crew cab swap.

FWIW, I paid $7K for my basket case, and felt like I got a good deal.

The demand for these is pretty high, and still climbing.

In reply to Cooter :

So you're saying I should buy the Dodge I posted...

Depends on what you are looking for.  They really are apples and oranges.   I like the 5 speed in the Dodge, but don't like much of the rest.  I like longer wheelbase, and more room in the cab.   4wd does nothing for me if I'm not offroading a vehicle.

If you are looking for a donor, I think you can do better.   Plus, the guy selling the Dodge claims it is "NOT FOR SALE!" 


If I knew what you wanted, I might be able to find something, but you would have to be patient, and willing to travel.

 

Cooter said:

If I knew what you wanted, I might be able to find something, but you would have to be patient, and willing to travel.

 

Yeah, if I knew exactly what I wanted this would all be easier for me too!

Basically I'm always on the lookout for my start to what I'm talking about in this thread.

Likely TL/DR, but I'm guessing you want a GMT400 6.5 Crew Cab or a 7.3 Ford crew cab in 4wd.  I prefer the ride of the GM, prefer the engine in the Ford.  You can find either fairly cheap.  (Not as cheap as a few years ago, however)  If you wanted 2wd, this would be cake. Dodge versions would have a Cummins Tax, maintenance issues, or if you are lucky, both. 

Not likely to find anything for $3k that fills the bill, even if you "roll your own"   But there still is a large swing in pricing for what you want.  As in anything, the idea is to "hit 'em where they ain't"  If your forum email is current, and you are interested, I can send you a few links if and when I come across them.

This came up on eBay a few months ago for what I thought was a great price, and went unsold, IIRC.  It was a running/driving conversion that still needed finishing touches, and was listed by a friend that did all of the work himself.  I'm not sure it is exactly what you are looking for, however.

Talked to the guy- seems knowledgeable, and like he had every intent on doing it right and probably collected most of the right parts.  Engine is in, mounted, and attached to the stock 4l80 but that's about it.  I told him to save my number if he wanted to take around $3k for it- sounded like $5k would take it but that's a little steep for an incomplete project to me.

My dream truck is a 4 door 70's F250 with a 12 valve cummins, an allison 1000, atlas II transfer case and a dana 60 front with a 14 bolt rear on 35s.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

Talked to the guy- seems knowledgeable, and like he had every intent on doing it right and probably collected most of the right parts.  Engine is in, mounted, and attached to the stock 4l80 but that's about it.  I told him to save my number if he wanted to take around $3k for it- sounded like $5k would take it but that's a little steep for an incomplete project to me.

You'll want to star away from Cummins, then.  Core trucks usually start around $2500 now.  He probably has around $5k in it.