I’m starting a project to build my dream truck – a 1972 GMC K2500 with a 4-53T Detroit Diesel.
I learned how to drive in my father’s 1972 GMC. Unfortunately, it is long gone. It succumbed to rust and went to the scrapper.
My ’72 was strictly a sentimental purchase. I have many great memories of my dad’s truck and wanted one of my own. From that standpoint, it is a great truck. Every time I get in, it feels like I’ve stepped into a time machine and I am a kid again.
My dad’s truck was a 2WD. It did fine until things got wet and in Southern Alabama, things got wet frequently. I spent a lot of time getting it unstuck and longed for a 4WD.
I also longed for a truck with a Diesel engine. My father was a partner in an earth moving company that built dikes for fish ponds. He had lots of diesel powered equipment including my favorite, a 12 yd. Euclid scraper with a 6-71 Detroit Diesel. I loved the sound of that “Screaming Jimmy” both at idle and full throttle.
Fast forward 40 years – I have owned 3 pickups, an Isuzu P’up, a Dodge W250 and a Ford F-250, all with Diesel engines.
My fourth is the ’72 GMC. My goal for this conversion is to have a truck that looks as if it came from the factory with the 4-53T installed.
Here's the truck parked in our meadow.
Here's the engine. It is out of a 1979 Chevy C-70. The truck was cheap because the engine was making lots of white smoke - poor compression or bad blower (or both!) - so an overhaul is in its future.
Here's the transmission. It is a Fuller RT-6610 and is a "take out" too. It will be getting an overhaul and conversion to overdrive.
Here's my first attempt at fitting the engine into the frame. DD's are tall so fitting it without a suspension or body lift will be difficult.
I will update this post as I make progress. Be patient, I’m not in a hurry…