Build Dirty Koala Build - Cummins Common Rail + NV4500 + HF2AV Swap

[Dirty Koala]

Another couple @treerootCO pics...Dude knows how to run a camera!!! He really captures the sense of Adventure in his photos.

 

[Dirty Koala]

On our way out to Horseshoe Canyon Overlook we came upon a very stuck Honda Civic trying to use a yoga mat as a MaxxTrax to no avail, I think they took a wrong turn on their way to Burning Man.

It was their lucky day that 12 cruisers with rolled up. @Box Rocket gave them a tug out of the sand and @Muddy.au gave them some stern fatherly advice to turn their arse around.

The Overlook was pretty epic as far as camp spots go.

A little Aussie firestick cooking action!

 

[White Stripe]

Do you use the 6bt as a daily driver? And if so what are the pluses and minuses that you have found of doing so vs a v8 or 1fz?

 

[maxamillion2345]

Have you ever driven a 12 valve dodge?

 

[Dirty Koala]

Do you use the 6bt as a daily driver? And if so what are the pluses and minuses that you have found of doing so vs a v8 or 1fz?

I was using it as a daily driver, but I have now pretty much dedicated it as my touring rig and I keep it fully loaded at all times.

Pluses:

• Much more power and torque than a 1FZ or V8.
• Better Fuel economy that both of the petrol variants. (I was the only one on the trip that never needed to dip into the Jerry Cans)
• Highway driving (hills) no longer require 'strategic driving'
• Cool Factor

Cons:

• You have an engine conversion and lots of custom parts that some shops may not want to work on (I haven't run into this...but I am sure some have)
• More ambient noise in the cabin than either of the petrol variants.
• If you reside in a cold northern climate you have the fun of cold starts that gas motors don't.

 

[White Stripe]

Have you ever driven a 12 valve dodge?

Only 24 personally

 

[White Stripe]

I was using it as a daily driver, but I have now pretty much dedicated it as my touring rig and I keep it fully loaded at all times.

Pluses:

• Much more power and torque than a 1FZ or V8.
• Better Fuel economy that both of the petrol variants. (I was the only one on the trip that never needed to dip into the Jerry Cans)
• Highway driving (hills) no longer require 'strategic driving'
• Cool Factor

Cons:

• You have an engine conversion and lots of custom parts that some shops may not want to work on (I haven't run into this...but I am sure some have)
• More ambient noise in the cabin than either of the petrol variants.
• If you reside in a cold northern climate you have the fun of cold starts that gas motors don't.

Does it seem harder to move in and out of lanes due to the extra weight? Does the noise get obnoxious after a while?

 

[Dirty Koala]

I was really impressed with the ease of setup/pack up of the Stealth Aluminium hardshell RTT by Eezi-Awn...it allowed for a relaxed morning as I knew I could have the tent closed up and ready to roll in about 2 mins. The morning views were nothing short of epic.

 

[Dirty Koala]

Does it seem harder to move in and out of lanes due to the extra weight? Does the noise get obnoxious after a while?

Getting in/out of lanes? My rig fully loaded is north of 8000 lbs (I have a lot of gear that is always onboard) and I never have to worry about getting up to speed to get in or out of a lane. The only thing that is a consideration regarding weight is the braking capabilities...but that goes for all heavily loaded 80's. The extra weight of a Cummins is only 300lbs...very similar to the weight difference of 1FZ vs a 1HD-FT or adding 1 large passenger....I have a couple thousand pounds of other gear on/in the rig that has nothing to do with the 6BT.

Regarding the engine noise, I just drove 3000+ miles over the past two weeks and it didn't bother me. I took plenty of phone calls and we were on the 2M Ham radios all day every day without any issue. That said, it is an industrial diesel and sounds like one. "Bridge to Engine Room"

 

[White Stripe]

Thanks man

 

[Dirty Koala]

The Henry Mountains were beautiful and a little chilly at the top (10,500+ ft). The variety of landscapes that we passed through on this trip was astonishing (Arid Dessert, Moonscape, Drastic Canyons, Alpine forests, Lush Fields etc.)

The original plan was to cross over the Henry's and camp on the other side, but too much snow at the summit meant we needed to make an itinarary change.

Another glorious morning view...I seem to always wake up to a roaring fire.

Pretty cool hammock stand that @Box Rocket built. Good light weight setup.

 

[maxamillion2345]

Only 24 personally

24 valves are no less rattley or quiet than a 12 valve so I guess you know what to expect hah. It definitely bother some.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I think the 24V is actually a bit louder.

 

[Dirty Koala]

24 valves are no less rattley or quiet than a 12 valve so I guess you know what to expect hah. It definitely bother some.

I think the 24V is actually a bit louder.

I have owned both 24V VP44 Cummins trucks and 12V P-Pump cummins...the 12V is considerably more quiet than the 24V VP44 engines.

 

[FMC80]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread from start to most recent. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city is what I need! I'm excited to do more of the same in the near future. Great job on the continual work in progress!

 

[Dirty Koala]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread from start to most recent. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city is what I need! I'm excited to do more of the same in the near future. Great job on the continual work in progress!

Thank you. These projects are never really finished, they are continuously refined as your adventure needs/wants adjust over time. My preferred get-away is remote adventure in awesome locations with some moderate tracks to weed out the Subarus. I spend far less time in the 'tear your rig up' knarly tracks these days.

 

[Will Van]

Yes, this adapter was designed after I pestered Dustin for a while to make it. He has since made and sold a bunch. I beleive @Wheelingnoob & @thegogglesdonothing both have this adapter. I particularly like that there is no intermediary shaft between trans and xfer case.

Could you elaborate on this point a little bit? What is the advantage of having no intermediary shaft between the trans and transfer case? A different vendor uses a spud shaft for their kit. Is that bad?

Is there any disadvantage to using no intermediary shaft between the transmission and transfer case? Do you have to move the trans or t-case forward or aft?

 

[Dirty Koala]

The reason some adapters use an intermediate shaft is to adapt the output of a transmission to the input of the xfer case. That is one extra part to potentially fail. OEM transmission/xfer case combos are designed to mate together without an intermediate shaft...the way we did it was to follow the OEM logic...make the NV4500 mate to the HF2AV as cleanly as possible.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Intermediary shafts are bad if you push the limits of your truck. More connections = more failure points. Aka spud shafts. I'm not a fan of them either.

 

[Will Van]

The reason some adapters use and intermediate shaft is to adapted the output of transmission to the input of the xfer case. That is one extra part to potentially fail. OEM transmission/xfer case combos are designed to make together without an intermediate shaft...the way we did it was to follow the OEM logic...make the NV4500 mate to the HF2AV as cleanly as possible.

Intermediary shafts are bad if you push the limits of your truck. More connections = more failure points. Aka spud shafts. I'm not a fan of them either.

But don’t you also have to machine down the splines on the output shaft of the transmission if you don’t use the intermediary shaft? Isn’t that also making it slightly weaker?