What diesel if you had the room?

palmczak · Post by **palmczak** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:12 am

Hello,

I have been reading lots about diesel re-powers. I have a an M56 that has had a Wittenburg conversion. (I actually have 2, one I will keep as Wittenburg converted it) The truck is not even close to original. It has a flat bed, flip front, 12V, amazing heater, fiberglass 3 side hardtop, (windshield is part of the top, wipers are bottom mounted)

What I am curious about is while the space between the frame rails is the same there is ALOT more room under the hood of this truck than a standard m37/56. Also the longer wheelbase of the M56 chassis should allow me more options in transmissions/transfer cases. I just realized as I post this I am not 100% sure of the axle gearing but believe it is stock 5.83:1. The truck currently has Michelin 11x16 tires.

Please let me know what engine/tranny/t-case combinations you would use.

Thanks,

Joe

CGarbee · Post by **CGarbee** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:41 am

I'm real partial to Cummins power...

Since I really like the 4BT that is under the hood of my M37, I'd say that if you had the room (length) to easily instal a six that I'd go with a 6BTA, or an ISB5.9.

With enough length, a six speed such as the ZF S6-650 (Ford Superduty trans) or, the much more expensive but virtually same gearing, NV5600. Otherwise, a five speed such as a ZF S5-42 or S5-47 (Ford Heavyduty transmission), the much more expensive but virtually same gearing, NV4500, or a Spicer 3053A....

Actually, I'd be doing a lot of head scratching before I got committed, but this is my off the top of the head, five second answer...

Got any photos of your stock Wittenburg conversion?

spainex · Post by **spainex** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:55 pm

I would have to say cummins as well, I have a Case Backhoe with 4 cylinder cummins power and I am very happy with it. My 230 runs too good to change it now but will change to a 4bt eventually. I'm still undecided on a transmission because I would need something to be compatible with the factory winch.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:14 pm

spainex wrote:I would have to say cummins as well, I have a Case Backhoe with 4 cylinder cummins power and I am very happy with it. My 230 runs too good to change it now but will change to a 4bt eventually. I'm still undecided on a transmission because I would need something to be compatible with the factory winch.

get a hydraulic motor and run it off the PS pump. Much cheaper/simpler, and its probably stronger. You also have the benefit that the winch isnt tied to the engine then either.

CGarbee · Post by **CGarbee** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:30 am

All of the transmission that I mentioned in my earlier post have a SAE 6 bolt PTO port on the driver's side so you can mount a PTO that you can source for any decent heavy truck shop (remember, PTO's are specific to the transmission since they have to have the gears interface properly so you can't use a PTO of a stock M37 with a transmision listed for a repower...).

I also have the model number for the Char-Lynn hydraulic motor that Braden recomends for use on a LU-4 if you convert it to hydrualic (for years the made the same conversion calling the resulting winch the ASHU-4). They still make a very similar winch... Running one off a power steering pump (such as the Saginaw "ham can" found on a 4BT in a route van or the belt or gear driven pumps avaible from Cummins, etc., for mounting on any of the B series engines is pretty trivial. I have info (not on my website yet) showing how to valve and plumb things up...

Running off the PTO in a stock style configuration has a lot of advantages and is a simple, relatively innexpensive, setup when performing a repower as long as you can clearance the PTO and driveshaft. Installing a hydraulic setup is a tad more complicated, but is still relatively simple, innexpensive, and has a lot of advantages as well. Both have some advantages/dissadvantages as far as use and fitment...

spainex · Post by **spainex** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:18 am

Ya hey cabell, what trans/PTO setup are you running? I didn't think there was much selection in the way of bi-directional PTOs to fit late model transmissions.

CGarbee · Post by **CGarbee** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:30 am

Chelsea 352... Can be configured both for the ZF and NV five and six speeds that we have been talking about. Available in lever shift, air shift, electric shift (12 or 24volts) , etc.

I'm leaning to doing the next truck with a hydraulic setup just because I already have the pump and it will be a bit easier to get everything to fit without having a winch driveshaft to consider.

palmczak · Post by **palmczak** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:57 am

Thanks for the replies.

I have not been keeping up with the forum sine I had computer crash a couple days ago.

I do have some pictures of the stock Wittenburg, but It is proving to be difficult to get to the data on my old PC. Currently the truck is stored in a friends barn about 70 miles away or I would go take some new ones. I will post some of the one I am wanting to repower. Also If anyone is running short on snow let me know I have plenty you cover shipping and it it yours!

Does anyone have a link or info on the dimensions of the 6BT? Also links to the diminsions and info about the transmissions mentioned would be great. The M56 chassis' 126" wheelbase should give me a few more options. Also the tilt-forward front clip make working on it a dream. A friend of mine has an 05 Dodge, PU with a 6 speed gearbox, anyone have knowledge of this transmission?

Here is the truck I am considering for the repower, the current engine runs well, but I want a more capable truck. One thing different about this truck that I have never seen before is the fiberglass top is 3 sided with the wipers mounted on the bottom.

Juan · Post by **Juan** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:29 am

Duramax 6.6 diesel with the ZF 6 speed tranny from a Chevy/GMC truck.

Given the space and the money (they are pricey engines)

spainex · Post by **spainex** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:40 am

I'm with you Juan, my daily driver is an 06' duramax but with the allison 6 speed and it is unbelievable at 360hp & 650ft lbs. I can imagine all that in the old war wagon. FUN!

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:43 pm

Considering that it's a Wittenberg conversion, it's already lost most of its military appearance. I'd say "what the heck?" Replace the driveline with anything you can squeeze in there that will give the truck some good road manners. Of course, you'll definately want to upgrade the brakes!

Paul in Kempner, TX · Post by **Paul in Kempner, TX** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:14 am

Save a trip out in the cold, and keep the snow. Here's an advertisement for the Wittenberg conversion.

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:05 pm

What about ford diesels? My 08 6.4 Powerstroke is scary fast, the only thing faster is the fuel gage 13 MPG best tank 10 avg. But seriously how about a pre power stroke 7.3 navistar with a ZF 5 trans Shorter than a 6bt, mechanical controls, can make decent power especially with a turbo kit, and capable of good mileage to. I used to get 19-20 mpg out of a 92 f-250 4x4.

Brett

KenInGA · Post by **KenInGA** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:27 pm

I was throwing around the idea of a Detroit 3-53, for my next PW. Sound's good in a Gama Goat, why not in an M37! But first I'd have to get that 2nd M37. And before that I'd have to get the current Beastie running good and put back together so it resembles a truck again.

Post by **Monkey Man** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:21 pm

I'd like a 4-53 Gm with an Allison transmission in mine, dreams I know but I really have a soft spot for the feel of a GM 2-stroke.

Regards - MM

What diesel if you had the room?

What diesel if you had the room?

Dream Diesel?