New Project Pulling Truck

SmokeShow

SmokeShow

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My fiance and I puchased a 1983 GMC K30 Crew Cab SHORT BED! to make a diesel pulling truck out of. It's currently set up as a small block gas puller. We will be putting a D/A in it here before long and then going from there for the 2.5 diesel classes. It'll take us a while to complete it but should be fun for us, competitive or not.

I go get it in Normalville, PA the weekend of the 15th of March. Normalville is just across the WV/PA line south and a little east of Pitt. Anyone from here in that area?

C-ya

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JoshH

JoshH

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Who made it? As far as I know GM never made a short bed crew cab of that body style.
 
SmokeShow

SmokeShow

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you're right. the current owner had it shortened by a professional that stretches semi truck frames. It was sectioned, welded, then had a plate bolted and welded over lapping the seam. I'd imagine it's pretty sturdy. I'm excited about it and it being a short bed is all the more cool IMO.

Odd thing is, the guy didn't advertise it as a short bed. It was advertised as a pulling truck. It's an Ebay find. It had the engine and stuff in it for the Ebay auction. He and I struck a deal after the auction ended and it hadn't sold. He kept the engine, ign. system, wheels and tires. He kept the wheels and tires cause I can't run cut tires (which it had) and they were on 16.50 Weld Typhoons and I didn't want to buy tires for that size rim - not enough options. So I had him keep them as well.

It comes with gauges, tach, fuel cell (gotta go), 14 bolt welded, GM D60 with lock rite locker, NP205, SM465 with HD centerforce pulling clutch, 4.56 gears, weight rack and 1000#s if weights, reese style hitch, and you can see the bumpers on the back.


It's a good start. I've got most details figured out on paper. We should start looking for an engine and trans. here before long. Most likely gonna get Dan at PPE to help with the conversion since he has a good bit of experience with DMax re-powers. He can modify the wiring harness so it's much more plug-n-play then he provides special tuning so it all works right. :D

C-ya
 
duratothemax

duratothemax

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looks good Mitch.. :cool:

let me know if you need any help or anything with the wiring or anything, Id be happy to send you a copy of my factory service manual
 
LBZ

LBZ

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Nice Mitch.
What are you doing with the old NP205? It won't bolt to the ally will it? If you don't need it, I think I can find a home for it.
Also if you do go with the ally trans and Tcase, I think you will have to change the front diff out as well-the input is on the wrong side I believe. Talk to Lonnie though-he's doing an 84 up right now I believe.
 
SmokeShow

SmokeShow

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LBZ said:
Nice Mitch.
What are you doing with the old NP205? It won't bolt to the ally will it? If you don't need it, I think I can find a home for it.
Also if you do go with the ally trans and Tcase, I think you will have to change the front diff out as well-the input is on the wrong side I believe. Talk to Lonnie though-he's doing an 84 up right now I believe.
Click to expand...

I believe I have about talked myself into keeping the NP205. SunCoast makes a billet tail housing/adapter for the weak stocker (you know, the one that cracks and therefore needs the transfer case brace that SunCoast sells so it won't crack) on the allison and it just so happens they can set it up for virtually any transfer case. Just have to tell them exactly what I got. :D The damn thing is high though - retail is about $1100. :eek:

As you mentioned, my alternative is to use the 263 from the D/A trucks and then swap the front to a Ford D60. I don't see an immediate need or advantage to this based on my research of my current parts and their ability to answer the call of duty. :D


I've been in conversation with Lonnie already and will be frequenting his site often for picture references.


C-ya
C-ya
 
LBZ

LBZ

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Well that's cool if you can keep the stock running gear. Hopefully it holds up.
 
SmokeShow

SmokeShow

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and as luck would have it, you'll be down here in KY at the time for Sturgis won't you??? If not, I would like to check out your truck. :D


C-ya
 
SmokeShow

SmokeShow

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yes, it was an Ebay find although I bought it after the auction ended because I didn't want the engine. :D Worked out for both of us. He lost a little for listing but didn't have to pay fees for selling it. :D Win-win situation.

I'm having a hard time on which engine to use. One side wants to do LB7 because I can find one with a trans much cheaper but I want the ability to spin some RPMs later on and I've been advised that the LBZ will be better suited for that. It comes with a much higher price tag though so I just don't know right yet. I suppose if I go LB7 and find that I do need more RPMs later, I can go with a stand alone computer and get them that way.

I'm just really trying to make sure my foundation is as good as it can be today for upgrading later. I know that with future innovations that is hard to do but I'm trying to do as best I can for now as to not have to completely redo everything down the road for lack of planning while building the first time. This should ultimately save some green backs. Or so I hope. :D


C-ya
 
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