'72 4x4 diesel - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wildwilly4x4 · 09-15-2009, 01:01 AM

Heres a lil bit of what i've been working on. I am new to these trucks and this forum, so heres what i've got going. I got an old '72 longbed 4x4 that was fixing to be crushed for $100 at a junkyard. My old military chevy 4x4 was taking up too much room,so i thought i'd build me a '72 diesel 4x4. I started by junking the long bed(it was rusted bad), cut 12" out of the frame and bought a short stepside off a kid I grew up with for $200. I nabbed a couple of nice doors from a salvage yard and started welding, fabbing, and cutting to get this all to work. I used the whole 4x4 engine crossmember out of my military 1 ton (cut,hacked and massaged into the '72 frame). Next I stabbed in the turbo 6.5 diesel and the dana 60/14 bolt out of the military rig. Since my '72 was originally an auto, I went to the salvage yard again to get a clutch pedal and manual steering column to clean up the interior. I modded the hydroboost system to fit the firewall, and mounted a hydraulic clutch master next to it. I'll be using a '97 nv4500/np205 combo that I had laying around for gear duty in this rig. As I tore the trck down I started painting the underbody/firewall with implement spray paint( IHC red), and will be shooting the entire truck this color once I have it all back together and running. Heres some pics of where Im at as of now.

mtdave2 · 09-15-2009, 01:43 AM

bad ass man

mosesburb · 09-15-2009, 02:16 AM

Looks like it will be a fun ride when you get it done. Was the Banks kit on the motor when you got it??

texanidiot25 · 09-15-2009, 02:35 AM

Badass franken truck!

wildwilly4x4 · 09-15-2009, 06:08 AM

I put the banks kit on my 6.2, but after cranking up the fuel a lil too much it went boom. This 6.5 was a '93 turbo, but the original 6.5 turbo stuff didnt fit my other truck as well as the banks kit does.

rwolf9653 · 09-15-2009, 06:34 AM

Did you keep it 24 volt oir swap it to 12 volt? Looks nice.

chadio72 · 09-15-2009, 03:45 PM

cool, man ! I love retro rides and alternative engines !

QKENUF4U · 09-15-2009, 03:52 PM

very cool...

Sinister · 09-15-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

Badass franken truck!

x2, lol

95light · 09-15-2009, 04:52 PM

I don't remember any of the military trucks coming with a turbo setup. Was it built after 1994?

Edit: of course the a/c compressor wasn't an option on a military version either.

jay6891 · 09-15-2009, 04:57 PM

Cool Truck and Welcome from a former Texas Panhadler.

Thealien · 09-15-2009, 05:11 PM

You're an fn madman!! I like it. Keep posting with updates and pics!

wildwilly4x4 · 09-15-2009, 09:11 PM

My original mil truck was just your normal CUCV 1ton chevy 4x4, but then my wife let the door get caught in the wind, which screwed up the cab. We were still newly weds so since my tow rig was a single cab duramax 4x4, and I had a screwed up CUCV work truck, I decided a crewcab would be better for us to camp in when we took my jeep out 4 wheeling. SO, I ended up with a 2wd '87 crewcab, which I then cut in front of the cab to fit my '86 CUCV front frame, behind the cab(shortend 14" for short bed) rear 4x4 frame, and used all the CUCV drivetrain. After a lil searching I found a Banks turbo system on craigslist for $400, so naturally I put it on my 6.2. APPARENTLY my EGT guage didnt work properly because I ended up turning up the fuel WAY too much and melted the pistons to slag. So I bought a turbo 6.5(93 model) to replace it, and ended up with the wrong pressure plate after finding the NV4500 for $75. So, now I'm currently building this '72 single cab since I ended up trading my single cab Duramax for a FAR better Dodge CTD. I'm a Chevy guy, but when it comes to a heavy duty diesel, my duramax just wasnt up to snuff, even though it had more power and a WAY better tranny, the Dodge is a far superior truck as far as my driving style. Anyways, enough rambling, I should be mounting the tranny and such this weekend. Thanks for all the complements, Laramie.

packers05 · 09-15-2009, 09:38 PM

I love chevy diesels my coworker burns 50/50 diesel and used trans fluid in his and it runs great and cheap get her done and on the street its real cool

wildwilly4x4 · 09-15-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by packers05

I love chevy diesels my coworker burns 50/50 diesel and used trans fluid in his and it runs great and cheap get her done and on the street its real cool

Yeah, I've even burn citranella( or how ever you spell it) in these things, at least it keeps the bugs away! Everytime I change the oil or tranny fluid I just dump it in the tank and the fill her up with diesel and keep on smokin!

wildwilly4x4 · 09-19-2009, 01:27 AM

I got the tranny/t-case installed today, along with a few other small items. I still have to buily my rear driveshaft, hack up the tranny tunnel to fit, work on the turbo crossover pipe, and a few other things before I can at least run it around the block. I cant wait to try out the nv4500 and 3.73s on the highway!

wildwilly4x4 · 09-21-2009, 07:19 PM

I got some more work done today. Went to the salvage yard and picked up some pretty nice inner fenders, a nice heater blower box, and a rotten battery tray. I painted the inners and box with black rustoleum and got them mounted up. For some reason my pics arent wanting to upload....I will try again in a lil bit.

wildwilly4x4 · 09-21-2009, 07:32 PM

heres the pics!

mal68ibu · 09-29-2009, 11:53 PM

From what I can see that is turning out alot better than the mess I've made. I'm jealous of the NV4500, but after driving my 6.5 with the mods on it I'm sure I'll survive. Bad ass frankenstein for sure.

wildwilly4x4 · 10-01-2009, 01:34 AM

I put in a seat out of a '96 p/u (although its tan and has a hole in it for now..lol), got most of the wiring done, and got my glow plug relay mounted to the engine, instead of the firewall. I still need to fab up a battery box for the driver side for the 2nd battery.

Does anyone have pointers on getting a fuel sending unit that has a return line plumbed in. If I have to add one, it wont be too big of a deal. I got my tank from a salvage yard, but I dunno if the truck was a manual or auto tranny. Apparently, from the sending unit searches I have done, there seems to be a difference for the fuel sending unit depending on what tranny the truck has. WTF, can anyone shed some light for me? Thanks, Laramie

texanidiot25 · 10-01-2009, 01:38 AM

edit: nevermind, wrong idea

tcb-1 · 10-01-2009, 05:16 AM

all business!! LOVE IT!!

WCRiot · 10-01-2009, 11:03 AM

Are those good engines? I love diesels and really want to do a diesel swap some day. But, I heard the military diesel engines are a problem.

wildwilly4x4 · 10-01-2009, 01:10 PM

I've seen many of these make it well over 300,00 miles. You just have to remember that these arent you're "modern" high HP diesels. These are more of a light utility engine with emphasis on economy vs. TQ and HP. These engines are about the same as a healthy stock 350 as long as they are turboed. NA 6.2 and 6.5s are kinda sluggish from a performance standpoint, but they do get your normal pickup chores done, with great economy to boot. I had this motor in an '86 crewcab short bed 1 ton 4x4, and no overdrive. I usually got around 20 MPG in that setup with 3.73 gears. This project has the same axles, but I'm running an nv4500 along with this truck wieghing alot less, i'm hoping to get it to low to mid 20's. And trust me, with one of these things tuned and timed properly, it'll still do a firey burnout in a big heavy truck. With my pump turned up a lil I could get that crewcab sideways on asphalt!

WCRiot · 10-01-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildwilly4x4

I've seen many of these make it well over 300,00 miles. You just have to remember that these arent you're "modern" high HP diesels. These are more of a light utility engine with emphasis on economy vs. TQ and HP. These engines are about the same as a healthy stock 350 as long as they are turboed. NA 6.2 and 6.5s are kinda sluggish from a performance standpoint, but they do get your normal pickup chores done, with great economy to boot. I had this motor in an '86 crewcab short bed 1 ton 4x4, and no overdrive. I usually got around 20 MPG in that setup with 3.73 gears. This project has the same axles, but I'm running an nv4500 along with this truck wieghing alot less, i'm hoping to get it to low to mid 20's. And trust me, with one of these things tuned and timed properly, it'll still do a firey burnout in a big heavy truck. With my pump turned up a lil I could get that crewcab sideways on asphalt!

Are maintenance parts easy to come by? What about pricing? I have seen military diesel engines from about the same era sell for about $500. I'm really interested in diesels and I really want to swap one in. I just want to find the best diesel for my needs.

I really want the diesel for the better fuel economy. I'm going to be able to see what a performance built 327 engine does in a 4000lb car, so that will give me a nice comparison. But, what diesel would you recommend for fuel economy in a c10? Oh Ya, I love Turbo's so I have to have a turbo charged Diesel

09-15-2009, 01:01 AM	#1
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	'72 4x4 diesel Heres a lil bit of what i've been working on. I am new to these trucks and this forum, so heres what i've got going. I got an old '72 longbed 4x4 that was fixing to be crushed for $100 at a junkyard. My old military chevy 4x4 was taking up too much room,so i thought i'd build me a '72 diesel 4x4. I started by junking the long bed(it was rusted bad), cut 12" out of the frame and bought a short stepside off a kid I grew up with for $200. I nabbed a couple of nice doors from a salvage yard and started welding, fabbing, and cutting to get this all to work. I used the whole 4x4 engine crossmember out of my military 1 ton (cut,hacked and massaged into the '72 frame). Next I stabbed in the turbo 6.5 diesel and the dana 60/14 bolt out of the military rig. Since my '72 was originally an auto, I went to the salvage yard again to get a clutch pedal and manual steering column to clean up the interior. I modded the hydroboost system to fit the firewall, and mounted a hydraulic clutch master next to it. I'll be using a '97 nv4500/np205 combo that I had laying around for gear duty in this rig. As I tore the trck down I started painting the underbody/firewall with implement spray paint( IHC red), and will be shooting the entire truck this color once I have it all back together and running. Heres some pics of where Im at as of now. Attached Images

09-15-2009, 01:43 AM	#2
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: '72 4x4 diesel bad ass man __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

09-15-2009, 02:16 AM	#3
mosesburb I had a V-8 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,116	Re: '72 4x4 diesel Looks like it will be a fun ride when you get it done. Was the Banks kit on the motor when you got it?? __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban, 5.9L Cummins, Banks Power Pack, NV4500HD, NP205, H.A.D., D60/14FF ARB Link To Build: HERE.

09-15-2009, 02:35 AM	#4
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: '72 4x4 diesel Badass franken truck!

09-15-2009, 06:08 AM	#5
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: '72 4x4 diesel I put the banks kit on my 6.2, but after cranking up the fuel a lil too much it went boom. This 6.5 was a '93 turbo, but the original 6.5 turbo stuff didnt fit my other truck as well as the banks kit does.

09-15-2009, 06:34 AM	#6
rwolf9653 more ideas than money Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: spring grove, pa Posts: 1,068	Re: '72 4x4 diesel Did you keep it 24 volt oir swap it to 12 volt? Looks nice. __________________ Randy 1948 Chevy 3100 5 window 1966 Chevy C30 Dually 1967 Chevy K10 1972 Chevy K20 1972 Chevy C10 1972 Chevy K5 Blazer 1987 Chevy V10 2003 Chevy Suburban

09-15-2009, 03:45 PM	#7
chadio72 Truck Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: merced, ca Posts: 20	Re: '72 4x4 diesel cool, man ! I love retro rides and alternative engines ! __________________ Chadio72 and his toys 67 C10 longfleet beater 68/01 K10 (4.8/4L65E project) 72 C30 Flatbed (400hp400) 66 Harley Davidson Shovelhead

09-15-2009, 03:52 PM	#8
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: '72 4x4 diesel very cool...

09-15-2009, 04:52 PM	#10
95light Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cartersville, ga. Posts: 47	Re: '72 4x4 diesel I don't remember any of the military trucks coming with a turbo setup. Was it built after 1994? Edit: of course the a/c compressor wasn't an option on a military version either. Last edited by 95light; 09-15-2009 at 04:55 PM.

09-15-2009, 04:57 PM	#11
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	Re: '72 4x4 diesel Cool Truck and Welcome from a former Texas Panhadler. __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit.

09-15-2009, 05:11 PM	#12
Thealien Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pine Ridge Florida Posts: 4,125	Re: '72 4x4 diesel You're an fn madman!! I like it. Keep posting with updates and pics!

09-15-2009, 09:11 PM	#13
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: '72 4x4 diesel My original mil truck was just your normal CUCV 1ton chevy 4x4, but then my wife let the door get caught in the wind, which screwed up the cab. We were still newly weds so since my tow rig was a single cab duramax 4x4, and I had a screwed up CUCV work truck, I decided a crewcab would be better for us to camp in when we took my jeep out 4 wheeling. SO, I ended up with a 2wd '87 crewcab, which I then cut in front of the cab to fit my '86 CUCV front frame, behind the cab(shortend 14" for short bed) rear 4x4 frame, and used all the CUCV drivetrain. After a lil searching I found a Banks turbo system on craigslist for $400, so naturally I put it on my 6.2. APPARENTLY my EGT guage didnt work properly because I ended up turning up the fuel WAY too much and melted the pistons to slag. So I bought a turbo 6.5(93 model) to replace it, and ended up with the wrong pressure plate after finding the NV4500 for $75. So, now I'm currently building this '72 single cab since I ended up trading my single cab Duramax for a FAR better Dodge CTD. I'm a Chevy guy, but when it comes to a heavy duty diesel, my duramax just wasnt up to snuff, even though it had more power and a WAY better tranny, the Dodge is a far superior truck as far as my driving style. Anyways, enough rambling, I should be mounting the tranny and such this weekend. Thanks for all the complements, Laramie.

09-15-2009, 09:38 PM	#14
packers05 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: minonk illinois Posts: 224	Re: '72 4x4 diesel I love chevy diesels my coworker burns 50/50 diesel and used trans fluid in his and it runs great and cheap get her done and on the street its real cool

09-19-2009, 01:27 AM	#16
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: '72 4x4 diesel I got the tranny/t-case installed today, along with a few other small items. I still have to buily my rear driveshaft, hack up the tranny tunnel to fit, work on the turbo crossover pipe, and a few other things before I can at least run it around the block. I cant wait to try out the nv4500 and 3.73s on the highway!

09-21-2009, 07:19 PM	#17
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: '72 4x4 diesel I got some more work done today. Went to the salvage yard and picked up some pretty nice inner fenders, a nice heater blower box, and a rotten battery tray. I painted the inners and box with black rustoleum and got them mounted up. For some reason my pics arent wanting to upload....I will try again in a lil bit.



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09-21-2009, 07:32 PM	#18
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: '72 4x4 diesel heres the pics! Attached Images

09-29-2009, 11:53 PM	#19
mal68ibu Parts Hunter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sacramento Posts: 247	Re: '72 4x4 diesel From what I can see that is turning out alot better than the mess I've made. I'm jealous of the NV4500, but after driving my 6.5 with the mods on it I'm sure I'll survive. Bad ass frankenstein for sure. __________________ 1968 Chevelle 300 DLX (350 4 speed) 1984 GMC 2500 6.2, 700r4 work truck 1967 GMC Custom (was 6.5 Turbo Diesel powered) My ebay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Musclecar...3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm My website:http://themusclecarshop.net/ 1967 GMC 6.5 TD conversion build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=290922

10-01-2009, 01:34 AM	#20
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: '72 4x4 diesel I put in a seat out of a '96 p/u (although its tan and has a hole in it for now..lol), got most of the wiring done, and got my glow plug relay mounted to the engine, instead of the firewall. I still need to fab up a battery box for the driver side for the 2nd battery. Does anyone have pointers on getting a fuel sending unit that has a return line plumbed in. If I have to add one, it wont be too big of a deal. I got my tank from a salvage yard, but I dunno if the truck was a manual or auto tranny. Apparently, from the sending unit searches I have done, there seems to be a difference for the fuel sending unit depending on what tranny the truck has. WTF, can anyone shed some light for me? Thanks, Laramie

10-01-2009, 01:38 AM	#21
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: '72 4x4 diesel edit: nevermind, wrong idea Last edited by texanidiot25; 10-01-2009 at 01:39 AM.

10-01-2009, 05:16 AM	#22
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: '72 4x4 diesel all business!! LOVE IT!! __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson Last edited by tcb-1; 10-01-2009 at 05:16 AM.

10-01-2009, 11:03 AM	#23
WCRiot Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 10	Re: '72 4x4 diesel Are those good engines? I love diesels and really want to do a diesel swap some day. But, I heard the military diesel engines are a problem.

10-01-2009, 01:10 PM	#24
wildwilly4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunray,TX Posts: 251	Re: '72 4x4 diesel I've seen many of these make it well over 300,00 miles. You just have to remember that these arent you're "modern" high HP diesels. These are more of a light utility engine with emphasis on economy vs. TQ and HP. These engines are about the same as a healthy stock 350 as long as they are turboed. NA 6.2 and 6.5s are kinda sluggish from a performance standpoint, but they do get your normal pickup chores done, with great economy to boot. I had this motor in an '86 crewcab short bed 1 ton 4x4, and no overdrive. I usually got around 20 MPG in that setup with 3.73 gears. This project has the same axles, but I'm running an nv4500 along with this truck wieghing alot less, i'm hoping to get it to low to mid 20's. And trust me, with one of these things tuned and timed properly, it'll still do a firey burnout in a big heavy truck. With my pump turned up a lil I could get that crewcab sideways on asphalt!

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