Ideal Donor Vehicle for 6.2/6.5 Diesel Swap into 72 Truck?

[fishmunger]

Hey guys,

Eventually I want to swap either a 6.2 or 6.5 GM diesel into a 72 4x4 k20 to serve as a tow vehicle. I am not looking for a hot rod (already got one), and I know what to expect power-wise. I just want a classic yet economical truck for towing. Eventually I would also like to get it running on WVO, but I don't know much about this yet (still researching).

I want to start by buying the 'ideal' donor vehicle (in good running condition) and using it for a year or 2 before I begin the swap. I've been doing a lot of searching, but I'm a bit confused as to which year donor vehicle would be the best in terms of economy, reliability, power, and ease of swap.

I have heard that the 1982 6.2NA and the later 6.2 CUCV motors are good candidates because they have strong(er) blocks. But on the downside, they mostly come backed with TH400 trannys (I want an automatic-but I think an overdrive would net me the best economy).

I think sometime in the early 90s they introduced the 6.5 backed by an overdrive automatic (700r4 or 4l80e?), with the option of a turbo a couple years later?

I have also heard, but I forget exactly, that to make the swap easier, the pre '93 or '94? trucks were not computer controlled, whereas after a certain year either the motor or tranny is computer-controlled, which would make a swap into a '72 harder, no?

Sooo, what I'm trying to figure out here is...what year truck should I look for to get the best combination of "old simplicity and ease of conversion" and "modern power and reliability"?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[special-K]

The '82 and milotary blocks are higher nickle. So,yeah,good motors. If you want to get it all from one vehicle you can use anything that came with a 700r4. I found an '85 Jimmy 4wd with both and just drive that for an economical classic. In '91 the 3/4t Suburbans as well as 3/4t & 1t crewcabs ran 4L80Es so the ECM for the trans is stand alone. Through '93 you have the same thing. In late'92 2500HDs and 3500s in regular cabs is when the 6.5TD was first offered,through '93 before EFI came out in '94

[The Youngen]

Maybe my progress will help you.
I picked up a 82 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban with a turbo 400. truck came stock with cruise control, ac, power steering, hydroboost brakes, a casette radio with the two knobs, and a heater block. The plan for my 71 is to swap over the engine, cruise, maybe ac, ps, pb, the radio. All of this will be backed by a 5 speed manual with od (still deciding between the t5, nv3500 or nv4500). slap all this into a 1/2 ton with 3.08's and ur looking at 25 mpg potential if the engine is still n/a.
In regards to towing, i have done my research and have read that once you start towing with the 6.2, the economy drops to mid teens.
Someone can speak up but thats what im in the process of doing.

[Beat68CST]

http://www.whiteowl.com/ENGINES.html

[Longhorn Man]

the old army truck will probably be the best way to get a low mile complete truck.

[fishmunger]

Thanks for the responses guys, that helps me out a lot.

So if I understand this correctly, if I got a '93 pickup, I should be able to get a turbo'ed 6.5 with a stand alone 4l80e?

Otherwise, I could get a naturally aspirated motor with a 700r4 if I find something from the mid-late 80s.

Would they both be just about as easy to swap?

Is it practical to re-build a 6.2/6.5? Can someone who's done a small block before do this?

Anyone know of anybody running WVO in their 6.2/6.5?

cheers