Project Screamer - '72 GMC K2500 + DD 4-53T

[burnitg]

I’m starting a project to build my dream truck – a 1972 GMC K2500 with a 4-53T Detroit Diesel.

I learned how to drive in my father’s 1972 GMC. Unfortunately, it is long gone. It succumbed to rust and went to the scrapper.

My ’72 was strictly a sentimental purchase. I have many great memories of my dad’s truck and wanted one of my own. From that standpoint, it is a great truck. Every time I get in, it feels like I’ve stepped into a time machine and I am a kid again.

My dad’s truck was a 2WD. It did fine until things got wet and in Southern Alabama, things got wet frequently. I spent a lot of time getting it unstuck and longed for a 4WD.

I also longed for a truck with a Diesel engine. My father was a partner in an earth moving company that built dikes for fish ponds. He had lots of diesel powered equipment including my favorite, a 12 yd. Euclid scraper with a 6-71 Detroit Diesel. I loved the sound of that “Screaming Jimmy” both at idle and full throttle.

Fast forward 40 years – I have owned 3 pickups, an Isuzu P’up, a Dodge W250 and a Ford F-250, all with Diesel engines.

My fourth is the ’72 GMC. My goal for this conversion is to have a truck that looks as if it came from the factory with the 4-53T installed.

Here's the truck parked in our meadow.



Here's the engine. It is out of a 1979 Chevy C-70. The truck was cheap because the engine was making lots of white smoke - poor compression or bad blower (or both!) - so an overhaul is in its future.



Here's the transmission. It is a Fuller RT-6610 and is a "take out" too. It will be getting an overhaul and conversion to overdrive.



Here's my first attempt at fitting the engine into the frame. DD's are tall so fitting it without a suspension or body lift will be difficult.





I will update this post as I make progress. Be patient, I’m not in a hurry…

[shopteacher]

Good deal on the build!
There will be Several of us watching this build to see how it progresses and turns out!

[Dieselwrencher]

Great project, and it looks like you have a great truck to start with!

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Great project, and it looks like you have a great truck to start with!

Thanks! It is a very nice truck. Aside from a small area on the passenger door, it has no rust. The driver's door is tweaked. It looks like it was hit and then re-skinned. I was able to buy a pair of very nice '72 doors from a board member so I hope there will be very little body work.

[6BT 56]

looks like a cool build for sure . check the 1st page of my build . I had a buddy that has a 56 that has a 53 detroit in it . word has it a garden centre had 10 made on 56 . it has so many factory looking parts on it . its just plain cool . I know its not the rite vintage but it may be good for inspiration.

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

looks like a cool build for sure . check the 1st page of my build . I had a buddy that has a 56 that has a 53 detroit in it . word has it a garden centre had 10 made on 56 . it has so many factory looking parts on it . its just plain cool . I know its not the rite vintage but it may be good for inspiration.

Your buddy's '56 looks sweet! If you have any more photos of it, PM them to me.

[burnitg]

The UPS Man cometh...

I have been on a parts buying binge in the last couple of days. I ordered the motor mounts and while I was waiting for them, I purchased some parts for the engine and transmission that I know I will need.

Here's the clutch. It is the pull type. This is my first experience with a pull type clutch and just learning how to install and set it up has been interesting.

I purchased the clutch kit and received only the pressure plate/release bearing and clutch disk. I still need to find an alignment tool and a clutch brake.



Here's the K-2019 Overdrive conversion kit to make my RT-6610 a RTO-6610. I called a couple of parts vendors and they told me these were no longer being produced and out of stock. If you think you might want one, better buy it now. I purchased this one from General Truck Parts.



Here's the K-1850 Basic Rebuild Kit for the RT/RTO-6610. It seems very complete to me...



Here are some parts for the 4-53T. I had to reverse the oil pan to move the sump from the front to the rear so I purchased the longer oil pickup tube for the rear mounted sump. I also purchased a rear main seal, a couple of valve cover gaskets and an oil pan gasket.



Here are the motor mounts. I plan to mount the engine from the front mount and the brackets on the flywheel housing. I am looking at a mount for the rear of the transmission. There is no obvious place on the transmission for attachment so I will have to get creative.



Next step - fabricate motor mount plates for the front and rear of the engine and weld them into the chassis.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice parts pile! That's to bad they offed those RTO's!

[mx289]

Very cool build and looks like a great truck to start with.

Awesome motor/trans.

Excited to watch this one.

[ryanroo]

in to watch!

[6BT 56]

Originally Posted by burnitg

Your buddy's '56 looks sweet! If you have any more photos of it, PM them to me.

Those were the only pics i had . Was going to be cool for sure . It had the driptroit . A 4 spd and a brownie box behind that . He bought all my 1 ton napco stuff that was in my truck and was going to add all it to his truck.

[Lemield]

Cool project Burnitg! I'm subscribing so I can follow along.

I have a 1971 K20 with a 6.2 turbo diesel conversion so I understand your desire for a diesel. I also recently put a Kubota V2203 turbo diesel in my 1949 Willys Jeep. Love those diesels!

Good luck on your project!

[muffintop]

best part is if you got it to run on corn oil ;]

[burnin oil]

The clutch brake and alignment tool can be bought at any big truck place such as fleet pride. Those parts are cheap and you can probably get them both for under $30. I have a 6613 with an OD conversion to put into a truck one day. I need to make an adapter for a transfercase first.

[burnitg]

I have made some progress on the engine mounts. The front mount is complete and welded in from the top. I will flip the frame and weld the bottom later.

Here's a couple of views of the mount:







I'm ready to start on the rear mounts. I have decided to replace the rear spring hangers of the front springs and box the frame in that area. The torque of the engine will be transferred by these mounts and I feel that the frame should be stronger.

Here's a mock up of the engine connected to the front mounts and in its correct position:



I'll have to go to town and hunt up the correct tubing for the rear spring hanger.

On the parts front, I have the clutch brake and alignment tool. I am still looking for a horizontal, spin on oil filter since the current filter will hit the front differential and the correct fan hub and pulley.

More to come...

[ryanroo]

looking good! are you planning on using a beefier bushing for the shackle hanger? i would recommend it if you weren't already.

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by ryanroo

looking good! are you planning on using a beefier bushing for the shackle hanger? i would recommend it if you weren't already.

Thanks for the advice, Ryan. I have been following your build with interest. I am envious of your access to tools and equipment.

I was hoping to find some 1.5" 0.250 wall DOM tubing when I go down to Denver next week. If I can't find any, I will probably have someone turn me a pair of bushings.

[Vintage Windmills]

Cool project, I like how you are going with a factory look. I will definitely be following this!

[burnitg]

A little progress and a lot of family time...

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sure did. I spent a lot of time with my family and friends. This is my favorite time of year.

I also made a little progress on my project.

I received my divorced NP-205 transfer case:



I purchased some 1-3/4" DOM tubing and had a local machine shop cut it to the correct length and bore the ID:



I mocked up the rear motor mounts:



And burned them in:





I flipped the chassis and welded the bottom side of the front and rear motor mounts. Before I could flip the chassis, I had to remove the axles. This took a lot longer than I had expected because the bolts had rusted solid to the sleeves inside the bushings. When I reassemble them, I will be liberally coating the entire bolt and sleeve with anti-seize lubricant!

Next step - cut and install the boxing plates and install the spring bushings so I can make the chassis a roller again.

More to come...

[Vintage Windmills]

Looks good, good progress. Those polyurethane motor mounts look nice and will last a long time but unfortunately will transfer more vibration to the chassis than rubber.

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Looks good, good progress. Those polyurethane motor mounts look nice and will last a long time but unfortunately will transfer more vibration to the chassis than rubber.

Yes, I recognize that the poly mounts will transfer more vibration than rubber. I purchased the more flexible (greater isolation) mounts hoping that they would be a good compromise. I'll know the first time I fire it up...

[Dieselwrencher]

If it doesn't shake a little, it isn't an old truck. Nice work sir! It looks like you may have some firewall and floor reconstruction in your future too! Keep up the great work!

[brimc]

Originally Posted by burnitg

I received my divorced NP-205 transfer case:

Attachment 1336878

Really interested how you make this work. Awesome build for sure. How did you get the 205 and what are your plans to make it work?

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

If it doesn't shake a little, it isn't an old truck. Nice work sir! It looks like you may have some firewall and floor reconstruction in your future too! Keep up the great work!

It will shake some; although, in my experience Detroits are pretty smooth just very loud. I used Lizard Skin sound deadening on one of my other trucks and it made a world of difference. I am planning to use it on this one too.

I'm planning to get the driveline and exhaust squared away before I tackle the firewall and floor mods. The 4-53 is both taller and longer than the 350 it replaced so I know that I will have some cab modifications to make.

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by brimc

Really interested how you make this work. Awesome build for sure. How did you get the 205 and what are your plans to make it work?

I purchased the NP-205 on eBay. Just search for "divorced NP-205" and you should find several for sale.

I will end up with 3 custom drive shafts. The one that connects the transmission to the transfer case will be as short as possible and odd because the output yoke of the RT6610 is huge (1710) and the input of the transfer case is normal size.

Once I get the transmission to T-case shaft, I will fab a custom crossmember to support the T-case. Then I will have the other two shafts made. The front shaft will be the long one in this case. It may be long enough to need a center bearing.

Stay tuned and you will see it come together.