60-66 truck with diesel engine OEM or other

[NWVintageAgParts]

Hello everyone. I have heard some rumors about a diesel being available in 60-66 pickups from the factory. I am talking about 3/4 or 1 tons pickup trucks. Not step vans or heavier trucks. I am assuming a 3-53 or 3-71. I have a friend whos dad ordered a new GMC heavy 3/4 ton pickup new (and still has it). It has an exteneded cab installed in Portland and short stepside bed. He says they had the option to get a diesel in it when new. has anyone else heard of this or know of one of the trucks?

2nd question? Anyone put a Cummins in a 60-66 pickup? 2wd? 4wd? Suburban Carryall? Id love to see pix and see how it was done. It is something I would like to do someday. Im thinking a 91-93 Dodge 3/4 4x4 pickup would be a good place to start. Heavy drivetrain, Dana 60 front, 70 rear with decent gear. The transmissions arent the greatest, but can be upgraded.

Thanks for any info.

Jake

[brawley]

they used L4 and v 6 diesel I believe.

[Fred T]

Go to Jolly's website http://www.6066gmcguy.org He has all the info on engines in the 60-66 GMC.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

I have never heard of one that was factory. This is a subject that I have been very interested in. In all my research and in all the Parts Manuals and books I have there is no diesel listed any where. The only '60 to '66 Conventional Cab trucks that had diesels were the larger 2-Ton trucks like a C-50 and larger. The Chevy had a 4-53 Detroit available and the GMC's had the Toro-Flow V-6 diesels. The 6-53 also may have been available, but I would have to double check that.

I guess it was possible that there were some kind on "COPO" application available, but I have never seen or heard of one.

Also, it is possible that some dealers may have offered in-house or private shop installed special applications.

All the C-20 and C-30 trucks out there that I know of that have Detroits were all verified conversions.

Bill

[factorystock]

My guess would be the D351 V-6 which was the diesel version of the gas 351 V-6 used by GMC from 1966 to 1969. It would have been a rare special order, but seems like the easiest to install since the block demensions are the same.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Edit: I had to change some info from my previous post above. I incorrectly listed a 4-71 available, it was the 4-53 that was available. According to my Chevy Parts Book, the 4-53 was available in C-60's from '62 to '66 and the 3-53 was available in C-50's in '65 and '66.

Also just to make the info extra clear, the D-351 V-6 that factorystock has mentioned is the Toro-Flow diesel that I had mentioned, altho I believe it was introduced earlier than '66.

But just to state it again, no diesel is listed as offered as a Regular Production Order in a '60 to '66 3/4 or 1-Ton GM Conventional truck.

Bill

[factorystock]

Here is the gas version on the 351 V-6. GM did not see a market for diesels in pickups since owners did not drive high mileages like they do today.The first" Toro Flows " came out in 1964, in both 351 and 478 cu in versions used in 2 ton and up classes.

[factorystock]

There is always a mystery at GMC between what was a factory option, what was a dealer installed option and what was a special factory order like COPO ( Central Office Production Order) that Chevrolet had.

[502tripower]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Here is the gas version on the 351 V-6. GM did not see a market for diesels in pickups since owners did not drive high mileages like they do today.The first" Toro Flows " came out in 1964, in both 351 and 478 cu in versions used in 2 ton and up classes.

And yet another version that was used in the larger trucks....:brow

[padresag]

there was a US military version that I remember reading about back in chilton's back around 64 that utilized a 3-53 detroit.
I am just taking a 4-53 Detriot out of mine next week which has been in there for 25 years and am shipping it complete from fan to frt ujoint to a young fellow in Santa Cruz. 1700 lbs with 5speed so does add a few lbs to the frt end
they are a pretty tight fit in one of these vehicles. a 71 series would be to tall and a way to heavy for this application.
ron

[Oregoon]

As far as a Cummins conversion is concerned, there's a bevy of conversion kits around (Google it!), but they're spendy, and the motors (4bt, or 6bt) are costly, heavy, and rattle to beat hell.

I looked into that route as an alternative powerplant for an old Landcruiser, which I promptly got rid of!

Were I to do it now, I'd use an Isuzu motor from an NPR, and a conversion kit from this guy.

I'm a regional produce hauler by trade. Our city trucks use these motors. Bombproof. When we hire a newbie (usually a kid) without a CDL, they drive those trucks in Portland traffic, and they can't kill 'em.

Oh, and some of those NPRs came badged as GMCs, so you're technically still running a GM... Okay, that's a stretch.

[kizer]

Wow, that V12 looks HUGE

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Oregoon

As far as a Cummins conversion is concerned, there's a bevy of conversion kits around (Google it!), but they're spendy, and the motors (4bt, or 6bt) are costly, heavy, and rattle to beat hell.

I looked into that route as an alternative powerplant for an old Landcruiser, which I promptly got rid of!

Were I to do it now, I'd use an Isuzu motor from an NPR, and a conversion kit from this guy.

I'm a regional produce hauler by trade. Our city trucks use these motors. Bombproof. When we hire a newbie (usually a kid) without a CDL, they drive those trucks in Portland traffic, and they can't kill 'em.

Oh, and some of those NPRs came badged as GMCs, so you're technically still running a GM... Okay, that's a stretch.

Just checked out that site...pretty cool kit. That would be sweet in an old 60-66 Suburban....old school SUV with some MPG !!

[LILRED66]

Matt Hughes of UFC fame, has a '66 Chevy K10, lwb fleetside with a diesel. His rig was recently featured in one of the truck mags. It was a donor from a 2006 Chevy 2500 Duramax.

The '60-'66 Chevy trucks did not offer a diesel in the C10/K10,, C20/K20 or C30 trucks, however as stated above diesels were available in the big iron models.

[Super73]

Originally Posted by padresag

there was a US military version that I remember reading about back in chilton's back around 64 that utilized a 3-53 detroit.
I am just taking a 4-53 Detriot out of mine next week which has been in there for 25 years and am shipping it complete from fan to frt ujoint to a young fellow in Santa Cruz. 1700 lbs with 5speed so does add a few lbs to the frt end
they are a pretty tight fit in one of these vehicles. a 71 series would be to tall and a way to heavy for this application.
ron

Any idea what he is doing with it? I'm in the Santa Cruz area and always wanting to check out different projects..

[83burban]

I saw an add on CL here in Los Angeles that had diesel in it already...wether it was factory or COPO i don't know...but it wasn't a swap.

[4dranch]

I saw it also c2c20, here is the link.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ctd/891862514.html

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Super73

Any idea what he is doing with it? I'm in the Santa Cruz area and always wanting to check out different projects..

yes ; he is putting it in a boat anchor; a F250
ron

[SmokeShow]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

Matt Hughes of UFC fame, has a '66 Chevy K10, lwb fleetside with a diesel. His rig was recently featured in one of the truck mags. It was a donor from a 2006 Chevy 2500 Duramax.

The '60-'66 Chevy trucks did not offer a diesel in the C10/K10,, C20/K20 or C30 trucks, however as stated above diesels were available in the big iron models.

Actually, they basically did a body swap and SAS at the same time. They put the 66 body on an 06 frame (which had to be shortened a little since the modern LB wheelbase is longer than the pre-73 long bed wheelbase) and powertrain, then swapped out the IFS stuff for a solid front axle D60 from a Ford. It's definately a sick truck for sure!

[Oregoon]

Nothing inherently wrong with the Duramax, but if one is going to do a diesel swap, why not take advantage of the simplicity and mpg diesels have to offer?

The Duramax is a nice motor, displacing around 475 cubes, and making 570 lb-ft, but unless you're trailering some hefty weight, what's the point? While it'd be fun to increase the fuel pressure, slap on an upgraded turbo, and roast tires, ultimately it's just a waste of an expensive engine. Even though the Duramax features wet sleeves, it's gotta be unreal spendy to tear down and reman. Plus, the amount of sensors, wires, and plumbing those things feature boggles the mind.

Were it me, I'd look for an older Isuzu 3.9, or maybe consider putting in a turbo Mercedes. Our n/a 3.0 '80 Mercedes gets ridiculously good fuel economy, and with the exception of the sending unit, needs no electricity to run. And you can get a lot of power out of those engines.

Just my two cents. I've been driving a truck for a lot of years, and I've never understood the need for a pickup to have an enourmous motor when something smaller could make better power, and far better fuel economy. It's like using a dump truck to haul groceries...

Nothing against any of you who have factory diesels either. There's a lot to be said for turning the key and driving away. We have a '97 Dodge at work with a 5.9, and it's a great rig, though it's 100% work truck.

However, if it's a custom truck, why not build the thing the factory should've?

[sosa]

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[Corts60]

I know I am going to get flack for this statement but here goes anyway:

I run a non-turbo 5.7 Olds in my '78 1/2 ton short box and in the city I pull between 16-19 mpg and 22-25 on the highway. My engine has definitely been rebuilt/modified from the orginal version so that it is reliable, but if you don't mind having a little less HP while getting great fuel mileage, I would suggest an olds diesel or the more common GM 6.2/6.5's.

Also, just my two cents.

-Cort