/6 questions

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One of the first things I looked at was the springs because of the condition of the rear wheels. Springs seem to be in good shape , their huge tons of iron.
I think maybe a good clean up.
 
Really whatever fits with your spring chassis width, was targeting the most mass production and availability for the least expensive parts availability, which would be the GM based bus platform, but I'm sure D500-D700 with the big Dayton cast iron 5 point wheels would be great and may even be a bolt in. I am reminded of an '89 F600 dump truck at my last job. Could no longer get front end and front disc brake parts, not even from a dealer. Had to red tag the truck after going through a "Friendly" V.S.P. weigh station/checkpoint and I still don't know if they've been able to auction it off yet. This was back in 2013, so always check parts availability on whatever you find. You had mentioned C-60 (which 50 and 70 are similar), C50 would be very close to your present chassis, so I was giving you a heads up where to look. Around here, GM based bus would be the cheapest route, but you may have something completely different available in Yakima there. Just take measurements and keep your mind open when going on the hunt. On a side note, and I don't know how I overlooked it, but we are having quite a few IH/Thomas DT444 powered buses make it to auction now. I had a friend buy a mid eighties GMC 60 series with an 8.2 detroit in it for $2500 at auction. Find an International bus and you'll be keeping it "All International", just updated. Being IH doesn't change truck platforms very often, what was made in the 90's is probably still being produced today.
 
One of the first things I looked at was the springs because of the condition of the rear wheels. Springs seem to be in good shape , their huge tons of iron.
I think maybe a good clean up.
That would be good, how many leaves and how wide and thick are the leaves? Definitely going to have to stay with the large platform, your way past D300, F350, C30 when you get into 1-1/2 ton.
 
Any used medium duty International that you can cabbage parts off of for cheap is probably going to be your best option.
 
That would be good, how many leaves and how wide and thick are the leaves? Definitely going to have to stay with the large platform, your way past D300, F350, C30 when you get into 1-1/2 ton.

I had heard about the IH bus swap. I'm not necessarily trying to keep it all IH
what ever is affordable and will work. I'm no Mr . deep pockets so $ is a key. It will probably be more a custom then anything. Cab has some rust issues, guages are shot, I will change to 12V, needs glass . I can still get glass but $$$$.Some of the chrome will interchange with Scout, Travellal etc 50's thru 70's.
 
Couple last pictures . Pumpkin and springs. Haven't uncovered any # on diff yet. Springs are double stacked
2 1/2" W x 3/8" thick didn't measure length.
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It was suggested to look at the Jeep 258 I6. Some came with the 5 speed which I could use the extra gear. The diff I'm looking at to swap out has a 7.17 ratio. Would this tranny stand up against this heavy of a truck.
 
Talk to Advance Adapters and Novak. I found a dead link so I couldnt get the details but someone was able to make an adapter out of a piece of aluminum plate and maybe an input spacer ring to bolt an AX 15/NV 3550 behind a slant six bell housing. Novak has info how to do it behind older Jeep engines. At your weight, I would want a GM NV3500 due to its larger output and redesigned (stronger) internals but the cast in gm bellhousing is a potential dealbreaker, unless someone makes a manual transmission adapter. If the starter mounts to the bolt housing, a fabrication shop could cut an adapter plate. Then you also have to have a spacer for the flywheel and use longer bolts, but studs and nuts are a better option if there is enough room in the bolt register on the flywheel.
 
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Since you’re looking at Jeep engines, read up on the hybrid 4.0 258 stroker combination, 4.7 liter. Then again, come to think of it, there where a lot of Ford small block pattern 5 speeds. A 2 wheel drive f series truck with a 300 (obviously), 302, or 351 5 speed bolts right up to a 300 ford six, which would make your best low rpm grunt tractor engine. Look for one of the German built ZF boxes, some of the heavy duty six gear ones had an oil pump and cooler arrangement.
 
Since you’re looking at Jeep engines, read up on the hybrid 4.0 258 stroker combination, 4.7 liter. Then again, come to think of it, there where a lot of Ford small block pattern 5 speeds. A 2 wheel drive f series truck with a 300 (obviously), 302, or 351 5 speed bolts right up to a 300 ford six, which would make your best low rpm grunt tractor engine. Look for one of the German built ZF boxes, some of the heavy duty six gear ones had an oil pump and cooler arrangement.

We're back LOL. I have found a couple slant 6 forums. Slant 6.com is one that goes into detail. I would prefer something I can adapt as a whole rather then machining a bunch of parts. There's a company called Trade water that makes tranny adapters to almost every combo. I got my 354 Hemi to SB 727 adapter from them.
So back to looking at the ford stuff. No comments on the Jeep 258 5speed combo?
 
I think the AX15 or NV3550 might be a little on the fragile side for what's probably going to be a 6000 plus pound vehicle. However, on the upper end of the scale, there are tremec TKO kits for AMC. If you could find a bellhousing adapter an NV3500 out of a two wheel drive V8 Dakota would be optimum, look at this ratio set.
Close Ratio NV3500-HD Dodge Dakota Gearing:[6]

1 2 3 4 5 R
3.49 2.14 1.38 1.00 0.73 3.55
With a 7.17:1 axle,
25.02 1st, 15.35 2nd, 9.9 3rd, 5.23 5th, and 25.45 R. You had mentioned 20 inch rims from and international axle in one of our messages, I am guessing 10 lug?
 
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I mentioned 10 lug but forgot to ask if you were looking at Dayton cast iron hub centers instead.
 
My information shows a 20-7.50 has a 41 inch diameter, so with 7.17 final you'd be running 3500 at 60 miles per hour and with the 5.23 overdrive ratio 2570 at 60. There are many kits to put a GM automatic behind an AMC engine, if you wanted to go overdrive automatic. I think the \6 AX15 is my favorite combination, even though the transmission is a little light, your not going to be pushing it past its torque capacity with the \6, use one out of a Dakota and it should swap pretty easily to a \6 iron truck bellhousing for an NP435 and 11 ind HD clutch. Ratio spread for an AX15 is 1st 3.83:1; 2nd 2.33:1; 3rd 1.44:1; 4th 1.00:1; 5th 0.79:1, and Reverse 4.76:1. The AX15 was a replacement for the NV2500/NP535, but I wouldn't give it a second thought, being that the AX15 was an upgrade. THe AX15 upgrade was the NV3500.
 
My information shows a 20-7.50 has a 41 inch diameter, so with 7.17 final you'd be running 3500 at 60 miles per hour and with the 5.23 overdrive ratio 2570 at 60. There are many kits to put a GM automatic behind an AMC engine, if you wanted to go overdrive automatic. I think the \6 AX15 is my favorite combination, even though the transmission is a little light, your not going to be pushing it past its torque capacity with the \6, use one out of a Dakota and it should swap pretty easily to a \6 iron truck bellhousing for an NP435 and 11 ind HD clutch. Ratio spread for an AX15 is 1st 3.83:1; 2nd 2.33:1; 3rd 1.44:1; 4th 1.00:1; 5th 0.79:1, and Reverse 4.76:1. The AX15 was a replacement for the NV2500/NP535, but I wouldn't give it a second thought, being that the AX15 was an upgrade. THe AX15 upgrade was the NV3500.

I think for simplicity I'm going to look at the Ford 4.9 and SB 5speed. This truck as long as I have it won't see much long distance highway speeds. Who ever has it after me can make the changes they want. My goal right now is to find the cheapest workable solution and the 4.9 and 5 speed seem to be that. I think I'll stick with this combination and see what happens. I would like to find a 4.9 X5 already together . Maybe look at the E series but I want carborated not FI.
 
Yes, that makes the most sense, all the way around, oftentimes around here can buy a whole running vehicle with that setup cheaper than can get the parts from the junkyard. Good luck with everything!
 
That thing is so big you could put two slants in it. One slanting one way and one slanting the other. Now that would be different. lol
 
That thing is so big you could put two slants in it. One slanting one way and one slanting the other. Now that would be different. lol
International calls that a 392. Surprisingly enough as big as the truck is your engine choices are limited. V8,s are out unless you want to rearrange steering.
 
International calls that a 392. Surprisingly enough as big as the truck is your engine choices are limited. V8,s are out unless you want to rearrange steering.

How are you for length? Would a Buick straight eight fit in it?
 
Now that would be cool! If it’s like the S120 I looked at last spring, an international DT466 would probably fit...
 
How are you for length? Would a Buick straight eight fit in it?
I think I measured from back of engine to fan blade 38" but if I ran electric fan I could squeeze a couple more inches. Again using an old eight I would have to adapt the 5sd
 
Now that would be cool! If it’s like the S120 I looked at last spring, an international DT466 would probably fit...
Cab is about the same. They made the L150 cab a little taller. Most cab stuff will enter change. 120 was what I was looking for when I found this.
 
How are you for length? Would a Buick straight eight fit in it?

As a guy who drives a '53 Buick with a 263 straight-8, I can say that aside from looking and sounding cool, you'll be bucks ahead with a more common engine. Parts for the Buick are not HARD to find, but not super easy either, and fuel mileage is nothing to cheer about. And my Buick is SLOW, although the Dynaflow might have something to do with that.

On the other hand, it's almost worth it for the sound alone. Nothing burbles like a straight-8 Buick.
 
a 348/409 would be cool, a 366 did well in this size truck to! id still be thinking detroit, a 6-71 inline would fit well and have some pep to step!! id be looking for a roadranger 66-10 or 66-13 speed trans as well! fuel milage pep, drivibility, have it all!
 
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