'82 K20 4x4 diesel restoration...?

[byoungquist]

Hi, I’m a newbie, Bob Youngquist of San Diego, CA.

I’m “restoring” a ‘82 K20 I’ve owned for about 13 years.  It’s a 6.2 diesel, TH400, 4x4, 117,00 miles, Power Pac (intake and exhaust), Gear Vendor O/D, Selectro front hubs. 3 fuel tanks (one behind seat), Helwig helper springs- rear, 2” Add-a-Leaf- front, etc.  I’ve installed  new glow plugs, injector pump, starter, batteries and fuel hoses.  The body and chrome is perfect and it has a heavy duty Callen steel framed cap and a 3 point extended hitch receiver.

I’d appreciate any thoughts regarding potential problems with this vehicle, ideas regarding upgrades, or any other ideas that the members of this Forum may have.

I’ve very interested in reliability, since this truck will spend a lot of time in the California and Baja desert and will being doing some towing.  I’m especially interest in thoughts about a rear locker.

It also seems to have slight coolant leakage; probably, the infamous cylinder head coolant port…? How serious is this problem?

Thanks,

Bob Youngquist
San Diego, CA

[Mr Diesel]

Sounds like a great truck. The coolant leak is potentially serious. If it begins to leak into the oil you will need to fix it ASAP.
I just located some brand new heads for mine, since the old ones have cracks in the usual places between the valves. Cost was $308 each plus shipping, which was cheaper than having these rebuilt. Here's the link if you ever need a set.

www.tristatecylinderhead....ucts_id=46

- Mr Diesel
'76 C30 Crew 6.2

[DnStClr]

I had my eye on an 83 shortbed on ebay but let it go without bidding. Chickened out.. .What fuel mileage do you typically see-17mpg or better?
PowerTrax makes a real good unit for posi.

Those $300 heads sound like a super deal Ray.

Don St.Clair
Culleoka Tn

[byoungquist]

Mileage is probably about 20 mpg without a load and on the flats...which I attribute to the Gear Vendor O/D.

Bob