Old 6.2L GM military truck ... Talk me out of this......

JimPghPA said:
Is your usage going to justify the cost, fuel, upkeep, and insurance? Or is it just a big toy? If it's a big toy, there is nothing wrong with that as long at the total cost does not significantly impact your total budget.
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Nah, just something I had wanted to quite sometime. As to budget, you can't take it with you when you die, so there is that.

I will use it from time to time as a truck, but for now, just a project, that needs little, and not a printine trailer queen that needs a buch of money to get it "right". Mostly, driving to the parts store or groceries.

It is nice to have a low tech truck.

I have made the needed repairs and plan to paint it flat green with camo paint out of a can. This can be done to these and look proper. No 10K paint job needed for this one.
 
NIce things about a rugged vehicle that does not have a pristine shiny paint job is that if someone door bump it in a parking lot, it's not a big deal, and if some jerk comes down an entrance ramp right beside you expecting you to move over or brake, of accelerate, you can ignore them and say come on over, let's swap paint. Been there, done that while driving a 72 Buick Skylark that was 2 weeks away from going to the bone yard and a fully decked out pink shiny Cadillac pimp-mobille with a driver wearing a pimp suit and hat with a feather in it tried that with me. I did not alter my corse even 1/8 of an inch. Come on over pall, you want to swap paint with this while your driving that, bring it on.
 
nate379 said:
How many hours on it?

Like my work truck has about 25k miles, but around 12,000hrs... so equal to near 475,000 miles.
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i have no idea. there is no hour counter on it. runs good though

my work truck has 5600 hours and 108k
 
atikovi said:
Can it even do the speed limit? Engine probably redlines at 50 mph. Whenever I pass a convoy of military trucks, they are doing about 45, and even at that speed the engines seem to be screaming.
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i normally run slightly above 50. there is no tach, but the math indicates that is about 2700 or so. it seems to like that engine speed. Another site, Steel Soldiers, has some great info on these. The consensus there, by those who used the trucks in service, was that 55 was the suggested cruising speed, but they would run them at 65 mph for hours at a time. 3600 or so is red line, but evidently they are made to spin.

they also do not run very hot. it can run for and hour,vand you can comfortably keep you hand on the block....weird
 
i did
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i did not like the faded colors it was before, so i freshened it up a bit. also replaced one headlight.
 
addyguy said:
With WW3 on the horizon, good truck to have!
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There are a few bugs. Need to change the fuel pump. I think it is backfeeding into the tank when not starting in maybe two weeks. Unlike what some think, this can only run on diesel, not cooking oil like the internet would have some think. I reckon used oil could be filtered and add to the diesel, but not worth the risk.
 
SupremePossum said:
I'm glad you got it, looks like a lot of fun
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I enjoy it. More like you are part of the machine, than just gliding in a near silent computer on wheels. I enjoy the smell, and the noise, and the "soul" of the machine. Some vehicles have one it seems and some dont.

I think I have chronicled everything with it so far, of nearly everything.

I did do a 12volt conversion.
 
burbguy82 said:
I enjoy it. More like you are part of the machine, than just gliding in a near silent computer on wheels. I enjoy the smell, and the noise, and the "soul" of the machine. Some vehicles have one it seems and some dont.

I think I have chronicled everything with it so far, of nearly everything.

I did do a 12volt conversion.
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I never understood that sentiment until I got a motorcycle, so much better!
 
The 1993 version of that engine family was 6.5 L with a turbo and mechanical injection. this engine with 3:23 or 3:08 gears would allow better road manners. Then again stock may be more sensible esp if something else catches your eye.
 
SupremePossum said:
I never understood that sentiment until I got a motorcycle, so much better!
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Yeah, I mean, you feel like you are doing something. We live today with nearly endless comforts, nice to jump from the jacuzzi to the ice bath once in a while. It puts things into perspective, and allows you to enjoy comfort better.

The truck is tight all the way around, no shimmies, no shakes, no wobbles.

I used to ride a Honda, but no longer.
 
Dinoburner said:
The 1993 version of that engine family was 6.5 L with a turbo and mechanical injection. this engine with 3:23 or 3:08 gears would allow better road manners. Then again stock may be more sensible esp if something else catches your eye.
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I dont mind the 4.56 gears, it is what makes the truck, and allows its capability. If I were to DD drive it long distances, on the highway, I would definately get what @Rmay635703 suggested, a splitter for the gears.
 
The Dodge in my sig gets new gears this winter.

With the granny low, and still super short 2nd out of the NP-435, it's far more capable than anything I'd throw at it with a 4.10 rear. Moving to 3.54 so I can get some highway capability.

Feel like these old trucks were all about the numbers game rather than practicality. Just like the new ones. Don't need to pull a house down. Just need average capability.

Admittedly, this old truck is still more practical as a truck than anything today.
 
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