Watch this before you diesel swap your Squarebody!

There have been a lot of questions regarding fitting, installing and swapping a Cummins 12v into my Squarebody Suburban. In this weeks video I go through some of the challenges and problem areas to the swap. And my solutions!
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[@jes8235]

Who knew the injections were in the P-pump? I think you were talking about plunger & barrel assemblies... 😉

[@Woofsharks]

pee is stored in the balls

[@MerricksGarage]

Lol there were a couple of mistakes in this video. I caught most of them! Lol. Not this one

[@willcas1674]

Hey Brother from the east coast here. Just want to say I love your work. You inspired me to LS swap a K5 and put it on tons. Anyway, absolutely 100% fab a cover up on to the top of your radiator covering the support, and the top of the shroud as well. Seal it up, and your cooling system woes will be over…

[@Nathandabest08]

I've got an 89 R2500 HD suburban that I recently swapped a 12 valve into. It's a daily driver so I went automatic. I sourced a built 48re from a local transmission shop and traded my turbo 400 and some money for it. The truck uses a factory dodge computer and wiring harness to control the grid heater and the transmission. Drive it every single day. Has double the power the 454 had and 2-3 times the efficiency. Any other swap wouldn't have been nearly as feasible. My 90 R1500 suburban will soon be getting an LS swap as well. Can't wait for both projects to be finished.

[@ianwolfe7124]

Awsome build. I have had my 89 suburban for 5 years now. Finally picked up a 98 24valve, 47re, and 241tcase. Going with a set of 14" coilovers and 01 superduty axles. Been wanting to do this for awhile, few more parts to collect and maybe start my swap this winter. Keep up the great content!

[@MerricksGarage]

dude, good call on the super duty axles.

[@michaelcuellar1566]

Can't wait to see if you fixed the cooling issues.

[@jamessainz2119]

I highly recommend removing the electric fans and getting the mechanical fan back in. I had similar setup and temps always climbed to 200-220 on a steep grade…..now never gets over 195 on same grade. Have a 91 crew cab with a 12 valve. It’s definitely tight. But there’s ways to make it work.

[@MerricksGarage]

IF these fans don't cut it, then I will try a flex fan

[@jamesbramblett3346]

Nice build! A lot of work in that swap. I’m entertaining the idea of doing this swap on my 80 K5 blazer. Of course with ton running gear. Please talk me out of it 😂 thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion.

[@localno187]

Really nice truck! One suggestion on the overheat condition is (and someone may have mentioned it), but with the leaky heater core you are allowing air in the system and you could have an air bubble, this will also contribute to the over temp conditions. Would want to swap that heater core out ASAP if you haven't already. Another thing i would do is put some holes in that fan shroud, biggest cooling bang for the buck is increasing the flowrate, try to let as much air pass through the radiator as possible. The shroud looks nice but opening up the cross sectional area will help big time especially when vehicle speed increases, the fans will help in traffic when engine load is low. Keep up the great work!

[@TahoeJake]

Hopefully this fixes the issue and there aren't more stranded on the highway videos 😵

[@imforealz8617]

Here to pump up the algo. Nice channel bro

[@MerricksGarage]

I appreciate it

[@Nathandabest08]

The electric fans are fine for your setup. I recommend running an all-aluminum radiator instead of the copper big block radiator. It will also give more room between the engine and radiator if you get a narrower one like I did.

[@MerricksGarage]

Ive run the aluminum with poor results.

[@CountryMileGarage]

Delivery valves are on top of the P-pump injection pump. Injectors are in the engine brother 😂😂😂. A mechanical fan will move more air than any electrical fan or fans. I'm getting ready to install a Dodge 3 row aluminum radiator into my K20 Cummins swap. Nice suburban build been following you for a long time now

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea there are a couple of mistakes in my stream of consciousness babbling ha ha.

[@user-tb1sy3ix4w]

I have a c10 1978 two wheel drive and I’d like to convert it to a 4x4 The axles I have are from a 2nd gen dodge 3500. I hope I can use these axles. Yes I’d prefer yo use the military Dana 60 but to find one is like pulling teeth. I’m looking to swap a Cummins in the near future and I’ll be going with an Allison 6 speed built by Suncoast. I have a complete 2nd gen truck for a donor. What are the steps you’d recommend I take for this build?

[@terry1965]

Thank you for explaining all that I don't know how in the hell you learned all that but it is amazing but it is amazing very good work

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks man. I am still learning. Just keep soaking it all up!

[@thomasmadden7580]

M1009 4BT NV4500 Dana 70/4.88 trutrack on 37’s. 🤤

[@jumper5029]

Nice build

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks!

[@jeffreyminucci326]

What is the brand of mid mount ac compressor bracket

[@v8felon]

So sweet in hindsight would you trim the firewall to mqke room for mechanical fan and clutch set up? Flex fans move tons of air without a clutch.

[@MerricksGarage]

no, I still prefer the route I went. So far the new thermostat and fans seem to be working well. I will try a flex fan if this doesn't fix it. Gonna try and get a test drive towing this week

[@darrinstone49]

How much further can you move your engine back to make room for a mechanical fan?

[@SterlingBall]

What's the name of your oil fill delete?

[@bcummins4702]

Hi I love your suburban and I’m thinking about getting one was wandering if you’d be able to make a video list for your suburban with all your videos in order ? Also are the straps on your cargo doors factory ?

[@MerricksGarage]

Man there are lots of burb videos it’s probably best to just watch them all! Ha ha. Yea the straps are factory

[@gregleblond9367]

maybe i missed it on a previous video, but do you have more pics or video of the PSC reservoir mount?

[@MerricksGarage]

I have it on a few of my build videos. It is just a bracket I made that bolts to the hydro boost housing

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

If you get stuck near Bakersfield im here mate as i said have a 93 surberbon 3/4!4x4 set up for cummins 3in body lift in fair condition you want it make a geart build

[@obijuankenobi420]

How's the MPG ?

[@TheCajunHomestead]

I have a 1985 Chevrolet Diesel SWB that came with 6.2 Diesel that 20 years ago I pulled because of cracked heads and mistakenly let it go to the scrap yard . I have that same Cummins engine with turbo minus the the P-pump out of a motor home with low miles to replace it.. What kind of MPG can expect.

[@MerricksGarage]

I get about 18 mpg when I stay out of it.

[@benji8066]

How’s the gearing after the swap? Is it a 4.10?

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea it’s 4.10. Pretty much perfect for this trans and tire size. (Tremec TR4050)

[@johncaelles9143]

Merrick. Do you have a link for where you bought the Aegon Fab Works (maybe spelled that wrong?) Engine mounts & cross memeber? Thanks for your time. Love the Channel!

[@MerricksGarage]

Duh. Sorry meant to put a link in description. Agan Fab works.

[@johncaelles9143]

@@MerricksGarage Thank You very much!

[@candykid5135]

regarding the thermostat which do you prefer 180 or 160 degrees

[@MerricksGarage]

I went with a 180

[@anthonyrem]

How’s the clearance around the exhaust? I’m wondering if swapping the front axle to a ford kingpin and getting a driver drop transfer case would work better?

[@MerricksGarage]

not a prob at all. I have so much room because it is an inline instead of a V8 I was able to just run an elbow straight off the turbo.

[@anthonyrem]

I was mainly meaning the clearance over the top of the transferase with 4" pipe. I think I'm going to do vintage air so I should have plenty of clearance for my compounds. and exhaust. @@MerricksGarage

[@dougr.6734]

A low mileage mill like that is a friggin' unicorn where I live. Super hard to find. Most are worn out with tons of blowby and yet, still, extremely overpriced.

[@MerricksGarage]

check out www.4btengines.com thats where I got this engine

[@hollyn9456]

Look for Ottwa trucks, airports, UPS, FedEx and construction yards use the to move trailers around. Our yard sold two for $2000 each

[@dougr.6734]

@@MerricksGarage Thanks for the heads up!

[@aremomsh]

Got a 1974 K5 for sale on Craigslist in Fresno California

[@richardgreen1142]

Why did you set up the intercooler upside down?

[@MerricksGarage]

Because the rob bonney kit I installed mounted it that way. That screwed up a lot of things and is something I would do differently next time. I was unable to use the factory radiator because of this

[@LESKOSTEVEN]

What head lights do you have?? And turn signals?

[@MerricksGarage]

just factory headlights with some KC Flex era lights in the grill and Flex Era 4 on the bumper bar

[@LESKOSTEVEN]

@@MerricksGarage the housings look different

[@emilroland3515]

What are you running for a transmission?

[@MerricksGarage]

Tremec TR4050

[@slowscout]

Has anyone here run the rob Bonney radiator and fans? I talked to him he said he never has any over heat issues with his aluminum radiator and dual fan set up in the middle of summer in Arizona. It’s pricy but if it works well and looks clean I’m sold.

[@MerricksGarage]

I replaced my thermostat and added a fan shroud from Tejas metalworks and things have cooled significantly

[@slowscout]

What temp thermostat are you running

[@brandonhall5494]

more running video

[@edgarzuniga8767]

What was your budget on this built

[@MerricksGarage]

Parts list from axles and wheels to AC and wiring was $70k

[@douglasdonegan9372]

Where is your shop at

[@MerricksGarage]

in Santa Barbara

[@douglasdonegan9372]

@MerricksGarage have you put a common rail cummins in a superduty

[@gilhernandez605]

YAY, I'm the 8th viewer!!!!

[@jumper5029]

Seems like the flat aluminum plate on the back of the radiator would make it hot,

[@MerricksGarage]

well its gotta create a pressure differential to pull air through the cores. Plus its behind the radiator so any radiant heat wouldn't matter much

[@jumper5029]

I would try it, my buddy didn't even have fans on his but he did have a larger radiator

[@designfabrication512]

All that exhaust wrap is just for looks yeah?

[@haydent1000]

The guys building Cummins engines with 1000+hp have 2000+ ft lbs of torque.

[@clemfandango5908]

Gas mileage ?

[@MerricksGarage]

about 18

[@americantruck3943]

the engine already has an engine oil cooler buddy.

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea I know. Additional oil cooler.