Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Ran across an all factory 1/2 ton swb diesel 6.2 with the 700r. Didn’t take to much to get her running. And to my surprise the 700 shifts good. Motor sounds good. Maybe an injector knock. I think the injectors and pump are on edge. The previous guy bypassed the fuel filter trying to start it🙄. I’m pretty sure he sent some trash to the system. I know these trucks aren’t rare, but are getting uncommon to find. Plan on keeping the diesel and 700 in it. If everything goes well we’ll put a sidewinder turbo kit on it from banks. I’ll make a build thread on it after the first of the year. Not much rust. All in all a solid truck. Just needs some tlc. Going to be a fun project.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Awsome truck ! Keep us updated.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

That is a good looking truck.

If you keep the T700R4 like you say. At rebuild time I would use 4L65E internals as they are a decent improvement along with Corvette servos.

I am not a trans guy, but I have had it done to my 700's.

Which should help with the torque, and the way diesels deliver it.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

I’ll ask my trans guy about that. The one I had done before I ran a TCI valve body because it takes away the TV cable controlling the internal pressure. And upgraded parts inside.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Thats another good mod for 700's, and well worth it.

The mod i told you is a fairly cheap upgrade since 4L65's are easy to get now, and it is something to do with the planetary gears i believe.

It gives you something close to a level 2 or 3 build with HD clutches.

I am sure there is someone who can better explain it. I am a engine guy, turning into a suspension guy. Trannys are magic to me even though I rebuilt 3 so far, but I got lucky with them going together. Plus working the first time.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

turbine wheels are cool

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Diesel swbs might not be rare in your neck of the woods, but I have never seen one. Great find!

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Turbines was one of those you either loved or hated lol. Unfortunately these wheels must have been 4 3/4 pattern and they hogged out the hole to make it fit a 5x5. Either way they wasn’t staying with the truck. Wife wants some torque thrust ll more than luckily. This will be her ride.



I’ve honestly not seen another swb diesel myself. I just didn’t want to call it rare without knowing how many was made in 84. I can’t find that data. I’ve heard from another post, they was more common in the north East.

But I am exited about this build. It’s been 4 years or so since ive finished the 72. Ls swaps are everywhere. And nothing wrong with that. I just can’t swap over in this square body being a factory C code engine.

Today is fixing the wiring mess ups they did. They put the two red wires on the starter to the purple wire post. Jumped the glow plug relay to hot all the time. Burned it up. But that gave power to the fuel shut off.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

I have never seen on either. I wouldn't say they were very common. Looks cool though.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

I love turbines. If you didn't live so far away I could help you clear up garage space.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Check/change the harmonic balancer. It is the Achilles heal of the 6.2.

I’ve got an 84 k1500 GMC swb with a 6.2, and one of the very first Banks packages, as it was installed before delivery in Nov 1983

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

I plan on replacing it during the rebuild. And also you still running a chain or upgrade to timing gears? I’ve read both ways are good. Also how does
That turbo 6.2 run? Everyone says there dogs but this one seams to have plenty of power to run around. I bet the turbo really wakes it up

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

I always liked how the 6.2s run. They are a 1982 motor from the era of fuel economy, not 2012 in the era of diesel hi-performance. I have owned a handful, with my first being an '84 I bought in '89. Owned one or another up until a few years ago.

Is yours by chance an '82? Is the block red? Great motors, first year higher nickel content like the military blocks. That pump is a cheap pump to rebuild/replace. They are great pumps but like any they don't like dirty fuel. Only GM made 1/2t and K/5 sized diesels and all shortbeds are rare. I'd say the rarest of all configurations. I've had everything but.

The one I last owned was an all original (when I bought it) '85 Jimmy Sierra. It had a 700r4 in it. I took the 8-lug axles, 4" lift springs, & 35/12.50 tires from a '91 diesel Suburban I had retired. The plan was to use the 4L80E and shorten the Suburban driveshaft, but the stock rear driveshaft compensated perfectly for the lift vs larger diff. I decided to leave it be a while and that is how the 700r4 continued to live flawlessly for the five years I ran it. It's still doing fine in NH where it went to a friend. The 700r4 is happy behind the 6.2s, same as always.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

This has the black block 84 model. I’m pretty sure the motor and tranny have never been pulled. I found an orange block but it’s in Ohio. A long drive for me. Did your 6.2s white haze at idle cold or hot? I’m planning on replacing the pump and injectors. Previous guy sent a lot of trash to them. I’m trying to convince the wife to put the rally’s back on it and leave it bone stock. Repaint back to white since it sounds like not to many of these trucks was made.


Very good info I appreciate it. I didn’t realize only gm put the diesels. And from what I’ve read the bad rap of the 6.2s came from people over reving them in the 3/4 and up pulling to much. I agree they was designed to put around town getting 25 mpg. And pull light loads.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

I just run the chain myself. With 9 lbs of boost, it surprises a lot of gas burners. And if I keep my foot out of it, I’ve gotten up to 27mpg (running 50-55mph on a parkway) not too bad for 3.42s and 33s

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/...245176728.html

Banks Sidewinder turbo for a 6.2/6.5 diesel with a new CHRA core from Oregon Fuel Injection. Original one will be included as a spare and has the hard to find part number. Passenger manifold, crossover pipe, downpipe, intake plenum, intake and charge piping included.

700R4 and 208 transfer case - ran great when pulled from truck absolutely no issues. Was bolted up to a 6.2 Diesel

I would look at it for you but its on the other side of the Cascades.
RIP Charlie Pride

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Very cool truck! I drove my 78 factory short bed diesel for years and years before finally selling it.

Let me know if you want to get rid of those turbine mags.... They are probably the "universal" lug pattern as you described the holes look wallerd out.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Also, white/grey hazy smoke at warm idle means fuel is not getting hot enough/burning properly. It could be leaky injectors or low compression. Does the engine fire right up or does it take a couple cranks to fire? Grey/white smoke at cold idle is normal. The early glow plug systems had an "Afterglow" built into the controller that ran the plugs for about one minute after the engine started. That was supposed to help keep the cylinders warm and prevent the smoky cold starts. i'm not sure if they did away with that design when they went from the 5.7 to the 6.2, but that was how the 5.7 was designed.

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Thanks for the link on the sidewinder. Long haul but I may call him and see if we can work something out. Thanks again. And thanks for all the nice comments from everyone about the truck. Wife loves it so that says it all lol.


Man seems like everyone wants these wheels lol. After what you said I looked closer and I think your right. There universal. I’ve just never seen that.

I’m still waiting on my 85 glow plug relay to convert over. So to activate the glow plug I have to jump the old solenoid so that’s causing starting issues and it does start right up but dies immediately. That leads me to believe one or more injectors are bleeding down while sitting. Compression was 320-400 when I first got it. But that was on a cold motor, weak battery’s, and a motor that hasn’t ran in a few years. But had to get a base line before I wasted time. I’m sure they’ll be closet together now with some run time. And 300 is still good enough to fire off

Re: Stock 1/2 ton diesel find
 

Yeah 300 should be just fine. Keep us posted on what you find!