Factory Diesel Stepside

[white 67]

There is a truck for sale that keeps catching my eye. It is a factory 6.2 diesel short bed stepside. I have never seen on like it before and i wanted to see what yall think about it. The truck doesnt run becase the starter mount is broken but the rest of it loost pretty good. I spend most of my time on the 67-72 forums and dont know alot about the other years. How common it a truck like this and does its oddness add any value? Also is the starter mount a big deal from what i have read its not a hard fix.

[white 67]

Forgot the pictures.

[Duster]

Is it an 82? They made a bunch of them. I can't believe it still has the running diesel engine.

Most of them are converted to gas by now. Since the diesel has no vac, they use the powersteering pump for brake booster. There is no booster, just hoses running to a valve at the back of the master from the powersteering pump. It is a problematic system.

The truck looks to be clean though. I like the step side bed. I think they look better on a 4x4, but still cool.

[cory d]

talked to my dad about that one. i saw it in his driveway months ago, did look like it moved in a long time. those are the stock wagon wheels with rallye caps, not too many left

[special-K]

I never heard that hydo-boost brakes were problematic. That's what goes on 1t trucks because they need better brakes. '82 was the best year for the 6.2. It was the first year and the blocks used a higher nickle alloy. Most 6.2 trucks I've seen still have the diesel engine. bout all the prior 5.7 diesels have been converted to gas.
A shortbed Stepside diesel is cool as heck.Only GM offered diesels in full-size trucks lighter than HD 3/4t'including K/5s. That's what makes them so cool.

[MusicMan70]

Wow, a 3.08 rear axle AND Overdrive as well!

[cory d]

i was a little confuse by the starter thing. there i sa small bracket (ear as he called it) near the engine mount that holds that end o fthe starter. if thats what broke then it woul dbe an easy fix

[MadManAndrew]

Originally Posted by Duster

Since the diesel has no vac, they use the powersteering pump for brake booster. There is no booster, just hoses running to a valve at the back of the master from the powersteering pump. It is a problematic system.

Yeah, no. Hydroboost is widely popular, very reliable and very efficient. It was used in most 3/4 ton plus trucks at the time, and if I'm not mistaken is used in all GM's today.

As for the motor, they're prone to blowing out bottom ends but the first years were much less prone. They're very efficient (30+mpg) but pretty gutless if I'm not mistaken. If it's high miles I'd avoid it.
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[hatzie]

I have hydroboost on all three of my trucks. They aren't problematic. Don't know where you got your information.
Other than Power steering fluid flush at around 30,000 mile intervals I've done nothing to any of them. You should change the power steering fluid at the same interval as the transmission fluid to keep any wear metal out of the steering box and booster... I do the Diffs and Transfer case at the same time... Every 30K or so.
I don't want a vacuum booster ever again.

[cory d]

but for $700 its a steal. toss in a used small block

[andrewmp6]

If it has no major rust on it id jump on it for 1500 or less.I would fix it and drive it those diesels got great mileage and will run forever if taken care of.

[Duster]

Okay, so you are saying hydro-boost brakes have less failable parts than a vac boost set up? So when my powersteering pump went out on my hydro-boost truck, my power brakes didn't go out? Because they did. After a $300 ps pump replacement it was up and ready to go again. I have never had a vac-booster go out on any of my trucks. Power steering pumps yes, but 100 bucks and I was done. Maybe I should rephrase my quote as this: I don't like hydro-boost because it is easier to change a booster than a ps pump, and a ps pump will fail quicker than a booster.

[68panelman]

I have owned many trucks with power steering and in 25 yrs have never replaced a single one, But I always check and maintain all fluid levels in my vehicles, Maybe that helped me all these years, My 2 cents

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

I have owned many trucks with power steering and in 25 yrs have never replaced a single one, But I always check and maintain all fluid levels in my vehicles, Maybe that helped me all these years, My 2 cents

Same here. Several went to 250K before I sent them down the road. never killed a steering box or power steering pump. Lost 3 vacuum boosters.

[rs72z]

I want to say that the 6.2 would break the outer bolt hole on the block if someone left the rear brace off of the starter.

[white 67]

I emailed the seller and havent heard back yet. If i get the truck i would leave it a diesel. What are other common problems with the 6.2 also are they expencive rebuild.

[S10Fan]

I've been a UPS driver for 26 years, most all of our trucks use hydro-boost brakes. I've never had any brake issues nor am I aware of any issues with hydra-boost.

[andrewmp6]

The injection pump is a little pricey when it goes out.Online they go from 500 to well over a grand depending brand and site.2nd one will be the glow plugs and their controller box i forget its real name that's about it.Oil changes cost a little more then a gas engine,But you will save a little bit not having a ignition system like a gas engine does.

[80SPORT]

Interesting truck...likely a special order

PA6 styled wheels....LR60 low profile tires....stepside....

The 6.2 was a good engine....or you can drop in a 6.5 turbo

Do a 2/4 drop and you would have a neat little hot rod that would be VERY good on fuel

[Corts60]

Rs72ss is right. There is good chance he left the rear bracket off when replacing the starter and broke the block mounts. Those starters have to turn over around 20:1 compression and have to have all the supports in place.

This a good website for 6.2 owners:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=20
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[white 67]

Looks like it will be mine, she dropped the price and wants $100 down so i just have to work out a secure way of paying to make sure its not a scam becuase im out of town for the next week. Im looking forward to owning it.

[Sabaka454]

Hydroboost can be problematic but so can anything. Some of the more common issues with hydroboost systems are:

They will react to any negative effects caused by the power steering system. The system is prone to hydraulic leaks and can experience morning sickness in older models. The morning sickness in these older units would quickly go away after a few applications of the pedal and allowing the system to warm up.

You can also run a vacuum pump and use a conventional booster as well.

[Corts60]

Nice! Glad to hear you're buying it. If I were you, I would keep it diesel and enjoy the economy.
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[Vbjunker]

Good luck. That should be a cool ride. Decent economy and that nice diesel sound...
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[68Timber]

Glad to hear you are bringing it home. It'll be nice seeing that one around here coming back to life.