Hello!
First of all, let me boldly state that I know absolutely nothing about diesel engines or drivetrains other than driving an Army deuce-and-a-half several years ago. My main reason for joining this forum is to get a little bit of insight and possibly a bit of knowledge about GM 6.2 L Diesels, and here's why.
I recently bought a project vehicle from a friend, and I really don't know which direction to take it in. It's a 1955 1st (Advanced Design) 1-ton Panel Van. It has a 137-inch wheelbase, and is flippin' huge! One look at it and you can see that it just screams "BIG TRUCK!" That's what I'd like to do with it.
The previous owner started on the project by putting an independent front suspension from an 80's Chevy 3/4 ton pick up, and basically stopped right there. In looking at the 50+ year old frame etc, I've decided to do something a bit different and do a complete frame swap. Basically, I'll be taking the body off the original frame and fabricating body mounts to drop it onto a more modern chassis. That way the engineering is for the most part done, and buying parts for something a lot newer will be a lot easier.
In doing some looking around, both online and in various magazines, I came up with the idea of finding an 80's 1-ton dually basket case and swapping the body onto that chassis. I love the idea of turning this panel van into a dually! It's understood that I'll have to either lengthen or shorten the frame, depending on the wheelbase of the donor vehicle, and there will be a lot of bodywork needed to cover the duals out back.
Well, about the time I came up with this idea, I found a mid 80's 2WD Chevy 1-ton dually that's sitting at an acquaintance's house, and he needs to get rid of it. The truck was a project of a friend of his, and this friend suffered a debilitating accident. The friend has no interest in the truck and is willing to sell it to me for $300 (clean title and all.) Here's the kicker and my reason for joining the forum: it has a 6.2L diesel in it, and I don't know a thing about them.
From what I've been told, the engine was rebuilt about 2 years ago. According to my friend, they were working on getting the fuel system (new fuel pump and associated plumbing) together when the other guy had his accident, so it was never started at all. There are all kinds of receipts and such in the truck, and it appears he has about $6000 total into the engine and trans. It has a manual transmission in it now, but I'd like to swap that out for an automatic - if possible.
I'll not be asking any questions here, as I know to keep such things in the proper forums, and I'll be searching the forum for any/all info that could even remotely pertain to my project. This is just a "Hello" message, and a bit of background on where I'm coming from, and where I'd like to go. To be honest, this idea is still simply that - an idea. Whatever info I gather here and other places will help guide me in the decision as to whether or not to keep the diesel or sell that engine and go gasoline. Either way, I WILL be using this chassis for my panel van.
Thanks for reading this, and I hope to correspond with some of you soon!
Dusty
First of all, let me boldly state that I know absolutely nothing about diesel engines or drivetrains other than driving an Army deuce-and-a-half several years ago. My main reason for joining this forum is to get a little bit of insight and possibly a bit of knowledge about GM 6.2 L Diesels, and here's why.
I recently bought a project vehicle from a friend, and I really don't know which direction to take it in. It's a 1955 1st (Advanced Design) 1-ton Panel Van. It has a 137-inch wheelbase, and is flippin' huge! One look at it and you can see that it just screams "BIG TRUCK!" That's what I'd like to do with it.
The previous owner started on the project by putting an independent front suspension from an 80's Chevy 3/4 ton pick up, and basically stopped right there. In looking at the 50+ year old frame etc, I've decided to do something a bit different and do a complete frame swap. Basically, I'll be taking the body off the original frame and fabricating body mounts to drop it onto a more modern chassis. That way the engineering is for the most part done, and buying parts for something a lot newer will be a lot easier.
In doing some looking around, both online and in various magazines, I came up with the idea of finding an 80's 1-ton dually basket case and swapping the body onto that chassis. I love the idea of turning this panel van into a dually! It's understood that I'll have to either lengthen or shorten the frame, depending on the wheelbase of the donor vehicle, and there will be a lot of bodywork needed to cover the duals out back.
Well, about the time I came up with this idea, I found a mid 80's 2WD Chevy 1-ton dually that's sitting at an acquaintance's house, and he needs to get rid of it. The truck was a project of a friend of his, and this friend suffered a debilitating accident. The friend has no interest in the truck and is willing to sell it to me for $300 (clean title and all.) Here's the kicker and my reason for joining the forum: it has a 6.2L diesel in it, and I don't know a thing about them.
From what I've been told, the engine was rebuilt about 2 years ago. According to my friend, they were working on getting the fuel system (new fuel pump and associated plumbing) together when the other guy had his accident, so it was never started at all. There are all kinds of receipts and such in the truck, and it appears he has about $6000 total into the engine and trans. It has a manual transmission in it now, but I'd like to swap that out for an automatic - if possible.
I'll not be asking any questions here, as I know to keep such things in the proper forums, and I'll be searching the forum for any/all info that could even remotely pertain to my project. This is just a "Hello" message, and a bit of background on where I'm coming from, and where I'd like to go. To be honest, this idea is still simply that - an idea. Whatever info I gather here and other places will help guide me in the decision as to whether or not to keep the diesel or sell that engine and go gasoline. Either way, I WILL be using this chassis for my panel van.
Thanks for reading this, and I hope to correspond with some of you soon!
Dusty