Well, after a long time looking for a tow rig with more interior room than just a regular cab, Jamie and I flew to TX this past Saturday and drove this back...
I know it's no fancy new truck, but it's what's inside that counts, right?
Other than a lady potentially having a heart attack on the flight to Dallas so that we had to divert to a landing in Nashville (not major though - she walked off the plane), there were no big surprises. It was a LONG drive back - about 8 hours on Saturday plus about 16 on Sunday (that includes stops for fuel, restroom, food, etc).
The truck ran great on the trip home. LOTS of power - much different than my stock 1990 6.2 diesel Suburban with 3.42 gears. Going through the mountains of TN into NC was really fun. It is nice to hear the turbo spool up.
I averaged 16-17 mpg on the trip home running 70-75 mph with a bed FULL of parts, including some doors sticking up higher than the roof of the truck (power windows in those doors, so could not roll down the windows down for less drag).
I have a few things to do to get it to pass NC inspection (licence plate light, horn, and e-brake cables). Plus I am waiting for some crap with the title to get cleared up - NC DMV says it wasn't done right, I need to get a duplicate title from the seller now and re-do it.
Then I need to add a receiver hitch so I can tow my bumper pull trailer (it just has a gooseneck hitch now), and then I can start on the interior as I get time. I need to get some gauges, and then maybe I can mess with the injection pump a little more. I guess I should start looking for a gooseneck to pull with it too.
Full Specs:
1979 GMC K35 (1-ton, 4WD) Single rear wheel
1991 Cummins diesel, injection pump tweaked a little, air filter box cut open
3-inch exhaust with no muffler (sounds KILLER and is not really noticeable when cruising)
5-speed/NP205
D60/14-bolt, 4.10 gears, Gov-Lock in rear
4-inch lift
BIG "Camper Special" leaf packs in rear (factory option for carrying slide-in camper)
33x12.50 ATs
Body redone a few years ago, almost all new sheetmetal (including bedsides). Painted almost exactly like my 1990 K5.
Interior is rough, but came with new carpet and new custom front and rear split bench seats that I need to install.
We have been wanting a Cummins, but really wanted full 4-doors, rather than just extended cab, and we can't afford a new enough Dodge to get the 4-door. So this seems like it will work out nicely!
Later!
Richard
I know it's no fancy new truck, but it's what's inside that counts, right?
Other than a lady potentially having a heart attack on the flight to Dallas so that we had to divert to a landing in Nashville (not major though - she walked off the plane), there were no big surprises. It was a LONG drive back - about 8 hours on Saturday plus about 16 on Sunday (that includes stops for fuel, restroom, food, etc).
The truck ran great on the trip home. LOTS of power - much different than my stock 1990 6.2 diesel Suburban with 3.42 gears. Going through the mountains of TN into NC was really fun. It is nice to hear the turbo spool up.
I averaged 16-17 mpg on the trip home running 70-75 mph with a bed FULL of parts, including some doors sticking up higher than the roof of the truck (power windows in those doors, so could not roll down the windows down for less drag).
I have a few things to do to get it to pass NC inspection (licence plate light, horn, and e-brake cables). Plus I am waiting for some crap with the title to get cleared up - NC DMV says it wasn't done right, I need to get a duplicate title from the seller now and re-do it.
Then I need to add a receiver hitch so I can tow my bumper pull trailer (it just has a gooseneck hitch now), and then I can start on the interior as I get time. I need to get some gauges, and then maybe I can mess with the injection pump a little more. I guess I should start looking for a gooseneck to pull with it too.
Full Specs:
1979 GMC K35 (1-ton, 4WD) Single rear wheel
1991 Cummins diesel, injection pump tweaked a little, air filter box cut open
3-inch exhaust with no muffler (sounds KILLER and is not really noticeable when cruising)
5-speed/NP205
D60/14-bolt, 4.10 gears, Gov-Lock in rear
4-inch lift
BIG "Camper Special" leaf packs in rear (factory option for carrying slide-in camper)
33x12.50 ATs
Body redone a few years ago, almost all new sheetmetal (including bedsides). Painted almost exactly like my 1990 K5.
Interior is rough, but came with new carpet and new custom front and rear split bench seats that I need to install.
We have been wanting a Cummins, but really wanted full 4-doors, rather than just extended cab, and we can't afford a new enough Dodge to get the 4-door. So this seems like it will work out nicely!
Later!
Richard
I'm a Ford guy but that is one nice rig. That is the rig that GM should have built.