Sorry it took me so long to get back with those of you who inquired about my conversion project. Do not have any pictures but it is not painted yet and not much to look at. Mechanically it is very interesting. The suspension is all new with a TCI double wishbone front end including power steering rack, torsion bars and disk brakes. The rear end is a 9" ford with 3.5 gears and adjustable air bags. The turbo diesel fit in like it was made for it taking up about the same space as the original straight six. The weight of the motor/tranny unit seemed to be just about right for the standard coil springs that came with TCI.

It is set up as a dual tank WVO burner using the 6 port Pollack valve. The WVO tank is heated with engine coolant and an in line filter/water seperator takes care of that business. So far I have been able to gather more WVO than I can burn. I also have a Dodge Cummins set up as a dual tank WVO burner.

The old pickup has been a fun project and not without some challanges. The motor runs very well but I am about to give up trying to get the tranny to shift properly. I have the correct vacuum at the modulator and made several adjustments with the "T" key. I have adjusted the bowden cable many times to change the shift points. If I get 1-2 shift right 2-3 shift flares. If I get 2-3 correct 1-2 either flares or brakes the rear tires loose. Sometimes 3-4 does not happem at all. Is the bowden cable a linear pull or does it work on some sort of cam? The original mechanism on top of the valve cover is gone so I have had to fabricate.

The only other problem I have had is with the brake booster. I am getting a steady 15-18 lbs to the booster and it works for a while and then stops boosting. Check the pump and still 15 lbs. when the booster is not connected and 0 when it is. Bought a new booster and it worked for 5 minutes and did the same. I am still using the ford booster but I can not see why that would be a problem. I would appreciate any info given on this problem.

I will post some pictures and more info as I get the problems worked out.

Thanks for the help

Sounds like a cool truck...Can't wait to see picks.

The brake booster should work fine and I can't imagine why it's giving you trouble. Do you have a check-valve on it between the pump and booster? (Not that that would really make a difference for your problem.) I've got the original pump on my 616 pulling on the Land Rover booster and it's been fine for years.

Very cool. We would love to see pics of the engine bay if nothing else.

Regarding the transmission, I think it would be good to get the proper mechanism thats on the cam cover. I can't imagine trying to get the shift points correct without that.
Do a search. There are a few good articles on the correct adjustment of these trannies.

How well does the MB pull that '54 around?

BTW, where are you getting all the wvo? My source lost their lease, closed.

Sounds like a neat project. My Dad had a 53 Custom Cab, short bed pickup for many years while I was growing up. I have lots of good memories surrounding that truck.

Are you SURE that the 9" Ford rear axle will hold all that diesel torque?

I'm a manual transmission fan, so I will really be interested if go with a manual. It would really be nice if you could come up with a five speed. I know that a few years ago, there were some threads here where there was a group of guys getting five speeds from some contact at a wrecking yard in Poland. You might do a search and see what you can find.

Please keep us posted and have a great day,

As they say over @ earlyCJ5...UWOP!