Wanted: Dodge Ram Diesel

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I have a 6.2L in a 1983 GMC. Very rusty and in need of a 700R4 auto transmission. Not really worth fixing. Other than a leaking injection pump, I never had any trouble with the Detroit 6.2L. Still has great compression. Not much power, but doesn't burn much fuel considering its displacement. I'm actually looking for another GM truck to drop the 6.2 in. Any decent Cummins is out of my price range. I'd love to drop a Cummins 4BT in something, maybe when the 6.2 finally blows up.

I want:
4WD
Manual trans with "creeper" 1st and reverse. I'm not a horse!
Diesel (with mechanical injection)
Solid front axle
Not a dually
Not really rusty

I believe this leaves me with a Ford F350, Dodge Ram 2500, or older GM. A long wheelbase makes plowing very difficult in tight driveways. The old GMC (regular cab, long bed) has a 131" wheelbase, which is longer than ideal. I'm starting to think I want a short bed Chevy/GMC, but I know I'll miss the longer bed when hauling stuff. Yes, I'm very picky. And I'll probably be shoveling my driveway this winter.

Another thought, to me everything is fixable, except for my Ford.

Check this out. Rustrepair Body Panels Restoration Parts for cars mp

They make all the panels for your truck. If you can't mig, you can glue 'em.
My neighbor is a bodyman he did all the panels on an 01 dodge 1500 for a guy that was going to sell his truck, it turned out so nice that he ended up keeping it. Yep, used panel adhesive & Por15. He said the patches would outlast the rest of the truck. YOU CAN REBUILD!

Dave

[Gasoline Fumes]

It's fixable, but hardly worth it. The bed is falling off, cab has been badly patched up before, transmission is dead, and the suspension is in really bad shape. And I wouldn't want to put another auto in the truck, so I'd have to source the manual transmission and a transfer case that bolts up to it. But if I find another GM truck like it, but with a manual trans, I can install the crappy but efficient 6.2L and snowplow from the pile of rust I have now. And then sell whatever gas-guzzling engine came with the truck.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Oh I see! That could work!

Good Luck,
Dave