Hey all.
I just purchased a 1990 2500 with a 6.2L, 3 spd auto (no od).
Trucks in great shape with only 38,000 original miles. It was assigned to a Seabee unit in Virginia, and looks like the only thing it ever hauled was beer from the PX to the barracks! :D

I've got a couple questions and I was hoping someone may know something about the GI issue 2500 trucks.

I'm wondering what the rear drive ratio is. I had to drive this thing 120 miles home, part on the freeway and top end is like 65mph (and it sounds like shes winding out at that).. I do know this much- you let off the gas from 60-65mph and you're gonna smack the windshield! Anyone know what the standard package was for these trucks? I don't believe it is a 5/4 ton, like the M1008 (or M1009- I get the two confused..)

Also- is there any obvious way to determine if this truck is a beefed 3/4? As tight as this thing feels, my friend thinks it's more like a ton or 5/4..

Also- any routine maintenence things I should do right away? I noticed it smokes more when the engine is cold, and smokes a bit under acceleration, and my friend who was following me home in his car had tears in eyes from the fumes... Seems normal?

Any help or direction would be great! Thanks

Congrats on your purchase, sounds like you made a good find! I'm no expert, but I would change all of the fluids, put in some fresh fuel and maybe put some fuel additive in it. You might also want to check the timing to make sure it is at its optimum. Maybe some others will chime in who know more than I do.

What kind of truck is it? Crew cab? Single cab? Is it a older bodystyle (81-87-ish) or newer bodystyle (88-98-ish)?

Standard cab. Here's a few pics.. It's stamped as a 1990 but I don't recall seeing this grill too often in the 90's..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/Threerun533/fullview.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/Threerun533/frontgrill.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/Threerun533/enginebay.jpg

Wow that thing is mint. That is really cool. I've never seen a truck like that before.

You might could take the vin# and go to the local dealership and get them to run it for you in order to learn more about the truck. Also, check the glove box for a sticker that has a the RPO codes on it. You can decipher what options the truck has using this sticker.
That grille is right for a 1990 base model-style truck, I believe.

If you want to do a quick check of the gear ratio, proceed as follows: Block front tires, jack up one rear tire. Place transmission in neutral. Make a mark on the pinion flange that extends to the housing(reference mark), make another reference mark on the brake drum, backing plate. Turn tire 2 full revolutions while counting number of turns on the driveline. I would expect it to be either 4.56 or 4.10. P.S. If you hear a clicking sound while trying to turn the tire that is in the air or if the tire doesn't want to turn, there is probably a detroit locker in the 3rd member. If this is the case, jack up both rear wheels and turn the drive line until the marked tire completes 1 full revolution. Count number of turns of drive line. This second method only works with a locker.:grd:

I've got a grill like that on my '91. It's the Cheyenne base model.