• RME Gear & Apparel

New to me dually project

R

redrussell

Active Member
Let me start off by asking if I can find anyone who can post pictures for me if I text them to you. I cant get my phone or my tablet to post them. Anyways... After my trip in the burb I decided to keep my eyes out for a rig to build as a dedicated tow vehicle. I stumbled upon this, an 89 3500 2wd extended cab dually. Has a blown carbed 454bbc in it mated to a well built th400. I'm going to pull both and donate the 400 to my 68 Impala(also a big block project) and put a 4l80e with conversion for eliminating the electric part. I have a 6.2 Detroit diesel in the back of the shop that if it runs is going in there for now. Previous owner had just done new lowered towing suspension and brand new tires. Now for the bad besides the engine being blown, no interior. It is clean and a good starting point but I need to fix the dash and gauge cluster, put seats in it and both side mirrors. If anyone has any parts for interior, mirrors(model year or newer ones, especially tow mirrors), or 6.2/6.5 diesel parts let me know. Let's see what we can workout. Idk how my post of this got deleted earlier.
 
R

redrussell

Active Member
Ok so interesting options have opened up. What do people think about the 6bd1t engine? Comes with a 5 speed auto and all the wiring and computer etc. I'm not well versed on these engines. It is the industrial version also.
 
R

redrussell

Active Member
The Isuzu engine fell through. Needed more work than I thought, would have been cool. So looks like I will need to drop the 6.2 boat anchor in so it can move around. Anyone have a good knowledge of these engines? I haven't worked on one but it is a direct drop in for the place of the 454. I have the 4l80 already with converter. Think I have pretty much everything but this motor hasn't ran for a while, it has been stored inside but still leery of it. Free beer(alternate beverages available) and food if you wanna help me out. It is complete component wise but wiring wise I didn't bother trying to save it because it was a 6.2 and I never thought I would be using it again lol. I'm thinking of just mating the engine and trans and dropping it in, hooking up the cross member and getting the fuel plumbed then worry about the engine. If someone has a suggestion on where to start or a good plan better than mine throw it out.
 
R

redrussell

Active Member
The 6.2 is pretty much the same power numbers as a standard small block Chevy. If anyone knows of or has a 6.5 or a 6.5 turbo setup let me know too. I have been watching ksl and not much has popped up lately.
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
I wonder how difficult it would be to snag a 6.0L or 8.1L with trans and swap that in? That seems like a pretty affordable, powerful and reliable solution. You'd be significantly more rewarded with smiles per gallon vs doing all the same work for a 6.2L or 6.5L and cursing at their power output.


You did mention you want a diesel but the work you'll be putting in slapping a 6.2 or 6.5 in there (unless you can score a donor truck....then there's some interior parts as well) will be kind of a waste without a significant upgrade in power/torque and/or reliability. (Common Rail Cummins would be pretty sweet in there :D)
 
Last edited:
Rot Box

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
If you do go the 6.2/6.5 route you'll want the core support from a diesel equipped vehicle. Those radiators are HUGE and they need to be.

I like those engines and have a bit of experience with them, but not sure I'd recommend one for a dedicated tow rig.

redrussell said:
The 6.2 is pretty much the same power numbers as a standard small block Chevy. If anyone knows of or has a 6.5 or a 6.5 turbo setup let me know too. I have been watching ksl and not much has popped up lately.
Click to expand...

I may know of a complete ATS kit.. I'll ask the dude tonight when I go to work. He'll probably want a decent amount for it though as it is freshly rebuilt.
 
Last edited:
R

redrussell

Active Member
I had the donor truck that the 6.2 came out of(Blazer CUCV), gutted it and have it all sitting in the bed so getting the parts are free! That's why I am looking at it. I wanted to do a Cummins or duramax swap into this but the budget isn't allowing it right now and I have to get this moving under it's own power for the short while. I can't keep a non running vehicle now due to changes on post. The 454 isn't an option, the number 8 piston and cylinder are fubar. I have the 6.2, 4l80, drive shafts, radiator etc all collected already. I'm just un familiar with these engines(compared to how I know the sbc and bbc).
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
redrussell said:
I had the donor truck that the 6.2 came out of(Blazer CUCV), gutted it and have it all sitting in the bed so getting the parts are free! That's why I am looking at it. I wanted to do a Cummins or duramax swap into this but the budget isn't allowing it right now and I have to get this moving under it's own power for the short while. I can't keep a non running vehicle now due to changes on post. The 454 isn't an option, the number 8 piston and cylinder are fubar. I have the 6.2, 4l80, drive shafts, radiator etc all collected already. I'm just un familiar with these engines(compared to how I know the sbc and bbc).
Click to expand...

Well, I guess that's a good enough reason to use the 6.2 or 6.5L. Cost :D (most of us are unfamiliar with those engines :D)
 
UNSTUCK

UNSTUCK

But stuck more often.
mbryson said:
Well, I guess that's a good enough reason to use the 6.2 or 6.5L. Cost :D (most of us are unfamiliar with those engines :D)
Click to expand...

And those that are familiar would yank the junk 6.2 in favor of the 454. This is a little backwards if you ask me.
 
R

redrussell

Active Member
UNSTUCK said:
And those that are familiar would yank the junk 6.2 in favor of the 454. This is a little backwards if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Don't know what the point of interjecting something that isn't an option and has been addressed. The 454 is BLOWN, done gone belly up, expired, not an option. The 6.2 isn't a desired engine, what it was designed and built for it fit the bill. It was designed for economy and did do better than comparable small blocks and big blocks. Of its era, it was designed during the gas crunch. Comparing it to a duramax, Cummins or powerstroke is like putting a little league player against a high school senior, both can hit the ball, run the bases, catch etc but one is better. Unlike the little league player though the 6.2 won't get better.

We had a 6.2 in a haystack truck and it did just fine. I was young enough I just drive it and did t work on it. I do know you could drive it all week long and not need fuel but it wasn't anything powerful.
 
UNSTUCK

UNSTUCK

But stuck more often.
Sorry, I guess I'm too much of a logical thinker. I'm looking hard for the logic in your choices and I can't find it. You come on here looking for suggestions, ideas and such. I gave you a suggestion. Sorry if you don't like it. But I bet that blown 454 will still give you better performance than a 6.2. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top