Would You Rather Have A New Truck Or Diesel Swap A Classic For Your PERFECT Pickup?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- ( www.TFLcar.com ) This GMC K Series is a 1980's and 1990's icon. This example has a special secret hiding under the hood, a 5.9L cummins diesel. With four wheel drive and a 5 speed manual transmission, this classic truck has all the components for a perfect rig. What do you think? Would you rather spend big bucks for a new truck with a warranty or would you prefer a classic truck with new components and a refreshed heart? We go in-depth with this diesel powered monster to find out what makes a classic truck so special and desirable.
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My favorite thing about this truck is that is paid off
CesarConH and they last longer way longer
I can't believe people go out and spend 60 to 70 thousand on a truck and some have no need for them. I got my old truck when I need to haul something and it's 2 wheel drive if I feel the need to go 4 wheeling don't want to be in the woods in a full size trk trying to get around. I had a friend that wanted to borrow my old truck to haul some gravel I started to hand him the keys I said wait you've got a new trk he said it didn't have a liner in it and he didn't want to scratch it. I loaned him my old trk and drove the new platinum ford diesel of his around all day super nice trk. He brought my old dodge back at almost dark the trk was washed ,waxed and had a full tank when I saw the trk the next morning in the day light I called him to ask him about it and he said that's what friends are for. That new trk was nice but I think I'll still keep my old one
@@davidcaskey4669 your friend sounds like a tool
@@davidcaskey4669 hey what difference between r and v and c and k c 2wd k 4wd what's r and v on chevy gmc
@@AlejandroP1980s in the chevy the c was for 2wheel drive and k was 4wheel drive. That was till they changed the body style in 1987 then r was 2wheel and v four wheel
i would take that truck over any new truck. simplicity, style and affordability. that is a sweet rig
James Hall, wish I had that motor in my truck with a 95 7.3. I love my 7.3, and it is here to stay for a while.
@@michaelbenoit248 7.3 is a beast as well.
he is clearly married and hates his wife and therefore spends months at a time in the garage so he had to find something to do
My vote would be 4 diesel swapped old trucks for the cost of one new one!
Only problem with these older swaps is there require money up front lol is to where you can make payments and have a warrantee.
@@bristoldaffern8898 yup and with a new truck everything is brand new and all you gotta do is drive it.
Those could have votes to see a family truckster from the 1950's into the 1970's retro restored as some of the steps those take is to yank out the big block the station wagon came from the factory with and stuff a modern diesel between the frame rails. Other votes those were to see is a square bodied GM pickup head into a shop as those wonder if they want to keep it all GM when whatever the engine the pickup came with was yanked and replaced with a duramax.
I'm getting older and while this is appealing the drone sound driving down the road would drive me nuts now. I took my flowmaster muffler off my truck and went back stock on my truck so while I;m pulling my trailer it's quiet.
If I was 30 years younger.... hell yea!
I agree. Slowly saving money and paying 10k cash for a restomod is superior to being a slave to the bank with a 5 year payment. New trucks are super nice but parts are soooo expensive and diy is getting really difficult.
That is one nice truck, you just can't beat this setup, this will run until the doors fall off, I have a 91 suburban with Cummins 12v , awesome on fuel and can tow like a freight train.
Thought about getting a 91 suburban and 12v swap but not for of suspension work.
@@wildbill23c yeah mine was a 2wd 350 TBI backed with a 700r4 or 4L60e slushbox. Great rig when I bought it, took me over a year to find the best no rust body over here in UK. Now it sits on an 84 K20 suburban frame with locked D60 front and D70 rear axles, Rockwell T223 t case, zf 5 speed stick and awesome 12v Cummins. Its a daily driver and I wouldn't swap it for any other truck at the moment.
@@privateparker5698 hey a square body suburban with a Cummins 12v is a perfect setup, you should do it, you'll not be disappointed. Its a killer combo
GMCBURBAN send a photo...
The doors won't fall off, just droop waiting for new hinge pins.
This guy is such a down to earth, humble guy. Really enjoyed hearing him talk about his truck. Thanks for featuring this TFL!
with the addition of DEF systems in all new Diesels, id much rather have an old truck with a swap. hands down!!!
Cant go wrong with a 5.9L 12v p pump Cummins!! Great build!! Well done 👍🏻
That's pretty much THE ultimate truck! Love it!! Some serious Deboss Garage stuff going on right there!
zip ties and bias piles eh ?
Awesome truck! He will have years of use with little to no problems. Nice guy too. He was very good in this interview. Could have been any one of my friends and would just fit right in.
Andre was so focused in this interview. Think I saw some drool dripping around the 4 minute mark!! Kidding,,, haha!. This is my favourite truck and interview so far in this segment! Not to say any of the other interviews were bad.
Thanks TFL team!
Keep them classics coming.
Man, what a beautiful truck. These are getting mighty rare to find in this condition. I like that it’s still being used and enjoyed versus a show truck.
New trucks sound appealing.. but then I realize how old cars are much easier to work on for a DIY person
blapblapism for sure about the working on new trucks I have a 2017 F-350 with the 6.4 and had a problem under warranty thank god with one of the turbos and they had to take the cab of my truck completely off and motor out of the frame to fix it!!!
blackandgold51 trust me I work in the auto industry and they mark things up 110%... and even the dealership is mostly younger graduates.. you have better luck supporting a local mom and pop shop for half the price
@@adamadams6740 2017 f350 and you didnt get the 6.7?...
????
And the new 70000 dollar truck depreciate the old goes up in value
Sweet rig. I have a '87 Suburban 2500. I am replacing the 6.2 L diesel with a new one. Almost finished.
I love that engine. It's not nearly as robust as the 5.9, but it gets great fuel economy and sounds amazing.
@@kaulincurtis9665 The sound of the 6.5 diesel is very very nice!!!!!
@@ype469 yeah both sound nice, they are almost the same engine. 6.5 is just a larger bore with a turbo.
Stud the main bearing caps and the heads. Also I would install a new harmonic balancer. If you want more power install a Banks sidewinder turbo.
Matthew Harris Thanks. The turbo was on the old engine and will be on the new one too.
Love it and super cool owner
Back in the 80s I had a diesel specialty shop in Cleveland Ohio. One day a guy brought me in a square body suburban with a Isuzu midsize truck engine under the hood. It also had a dog Nash five speed. Unfortunately the engine had been hurt and needed major lower end repair
The new owner had no attachment to all the work that was done by the previous owner and decided to just swap out a 350 Chevy instead. I hated to do it because whoever did the job did a fantastic installation.
I just bought a 1994 Ford f350 7.3 diesel, long bed, full four door crew cab, single rear wheel. The thing is cherry and I love the thing. Its been garaged its whole life.
Nice!
Turbo IDI which I prefer (kind of), super simple, will last forever and no computers. I know they arent the most powerful but can be modified to get more than I will ever need. 94.5 they went to the powerstroke 7.3
I think its a kind of rare truck with the srw, crew cab, and one of the turbo IDIs they only had for two years.
I have an f350XL srw originally a small block truck that I'm putting a 12V in. It's a crappy ford but it was cheap.
@@D73GT I'd love one of those long centurion Broncos with a 12V
Very neat setup. This proves that you don't need 60k to get a diesel truck, this cummins will run forever.
What's funny is you can get used commercial trucks for a lot cheaper than pickups the same year. I just bought a 1996 ford f800 box truck with a 5.9 cummins turbo that runs great and a six speed manual transmission that passed state and DOT inspections with just a few minor repairs for $2,500. When I was looking the only one ton pickups I found under $5,000 were in bad shape, this box truck is in excellent shape.
Forgot to mention, it's GVW is 26,000 lbs so it's under CDL, anyone can drive it with a standard drivers license, you could convert it to an oversize pickup if you wanted to.
Awesome truck, I love how he cut out the “Dodge” on the valve cover top plate
Love the truck!! Low tech is great, it rarely breaks down and is is to understand and fix. Outstanding job David!!
I took a rust free grandpa 1988 F250 7.3 IDI Supercab 4x4. Put new paint on it. Added a gearvendors OD unit. Restored the interior. I have about $23,000 in it. Air works. Heat works. It turns heads. Probably the nicest one in KY. I haven't seen another one looking as good. NO WAY I'd sell it and buy a new truck. No way!!
Just had the old vs. new conversation with the Mrs. She even agreed we'd sooner put the money into my old truck than buy a new one, especially with all the fantastic electrical gremlins in her new jeep.
That is really awesome, I've thought about doing the same but the simple fact is every time I tow heavy it's for a long haul and I'd rather just the comfort of a newer truck. Really great looking build though.
I like how he just casually just bangs the hood to make the hood open 1:38
Had a 73 single cab. Was a great truck. My parents had a 88 or so Suburban. We did everything in that truck. Can’t tell you how many road trips we had I it.
Just plain awesome! Cummins, legendary power, reliability and efficiency!!
Awesome old truck that I’m sure is just a blast to drive. Looks like Andre was having a great time. I know I would.
The smile on this mans face tells us of the love and pride for this truck. Great job on the truck and this video.
Wow wow wow the dimensions on this truck are insane, dream car for me I’d put a big block from GM and a 5 speed transmission. Man congrats on that deal.
My friend came across a guy years ago that had an older chevy one ton dually like that with a Cummins 12v and he was pulling a goose neck car hauler with it for a used car dealer. Guy said it never missed a lick.
Were glad you liked our specially made mounts! We are the leaders in 6and 4BT swaps into older trucks! Give them the engine they should’ve had to begin with! thanks Dave!
Love the old,square bodies. Thats,a nice ol truck
I love square bodies! Especially 4 door Square bodies! 😍
U said it
This boxy design is timeless! ❤
Right before the square body renaissance started I bought a 1978 K20 as a project. Dropped a peanut port 454 with a 650 carb on it and a 4l80E transmission. 33" tires, 4.10 gears and it keeps up with the newer diesels. 12-13 mpg around town, 15 mpg on the highway, runs 80 mph straight and quiet. The truck runs so good I splurged for a vintage air kit and now its super comfortable. Ill never get rid of it.
This is an absolutely beautiful truck!
Winner! Smart man, good use of funds to get a real workhorse.
2:47 that’s the face of a man quite proud of his truck! As he should be, it’s 👌
Great interview Andre! I didn't see any visible rust on a 30 year old truck! Love the simplicity of his truck with no computers, DEF, and all that modern nonsense.
I have an 82 crew can k30 just like that! I never thought I'd see you guys cover my favorite rig, right on!
Great truck and great build- more reliable than new trucks by far!!!
the best looking GMC, Cummins, 6 speed manual, just the best combo ever.
Love a good diesel swap. My ‘93 F250 will get either an IDI or a 5.9.
Love the headliner, looks great. Now whacking the hood is a true old truck thing hahaha.
I intend to do this same thing but with a mid nineties crew cab F-350. I love my OBS extended cab because it’s made with heavy steel and doesn’t dent like the new trucks. I had a ‘05 Cummins that would dent if you gave it a hard look.
That paisley headliner is amazing
Great truck and great video.
The headliner was the elephant in the room, but looks good and goes with the white on blue two tone. He has $24,000 into it but probably also 2000 hours of his time.
I've got a 1994 k3500 singe wheel crew cab with the 5.9 Cummins/5 speed mated to a Ford transfer case. Great truck and east to work on, makes all the power you'll ever need while still getting 20-23mpg driving normally
that is exactly what I want to do with my '92 ford f-150.Except maybe a 3.9 4cyl. cummins.
Look up Johnson's Gee-Rage he has an 80s truck with on in it.
A saw a 1990’s F-150 at the Overland Expo with a 4BT, it made about 500lbs of torque, great setup!
check out the r2.8 turbo cummins crate they sell now. I'm saving my pennies for one of those.
I put a 4bt in my 93 f150
That is one clean, badass, truck. That thing will probably drive until the apocalypse. Seriously, great job!
Best review yet! I love this truck! I loved my 78 Silverado but hated the fuel mileage, and I loved my 12 valve Cummins but hated the Dodge. Perfect solution!
Aw yeah the underhood light! I love it.
Only way to get a Chevy to run over 500k miles with little expense., plus a lot of nuts for pulling . i did the same set up on my old 1975 dodge power wagon 4x4 dually over 14 years ago . Replacing the 440 gas the 5.9 Cummins with a bosch p- pump and only 50 hp injectors and 40 mm turbo . 35 inch tires w/ 4.10 gear ratio & power lock units front and rear - dana 60& 70 . ive owned this truck since 1989 . also equipped w/ 40k pto rear frame mounted winch , I've traveled 8 states with 9200lbs truck plus 10k on the trailer and still got 16mph on the hwy. Cummins motor made a believer out of me between gas and diesel
Carlos Chavez very cool. I have a 76 w200 powerwagon and am contemplating the same swap. And major hurdles?
not the only way to get a chevy to run that long sorry you got that confused with the dodge
That truck is amazing I really like the classic original paint
I love this truck so much i wish they still made em like this
The pride and love of this build is amazing!!!
Oh, the old “pull the hood release, then walk around the front and whack the hood once trick”. Love it.
This truck is AWESOME!
Square body, crew cab, and a cummins! If they only marketed a truck like that!
Had OffRoad Design suspension on my 85 Chevy. Those guys make the best suspension components for the old square body Chevy. That sure is a cool truck. I love the Cummins engine. My 2018 6.7 is a beast!
I'd take this over my '19 Ecoboost F150. No joke. Slap some better seats and an apple carplay radio in it and you're good to go.
Thanks for the retro review, keep them coming Andre
😊
Beautiful truck, I'd drive that over a 2020 Chevy
That headliner! I love it. This is one of my favorite trucks ever featured on this
Two points: I love the headliner and your lucky rust is not a factor like here in the Midwest.
Awesome you guys should show more owner built trucks.
That trucks perfect with that 5.9 cummins love it
Diesel swap all the way... DId a 4bt in my Jeep CJ and always choose it over my 2019 Ram. There is something about an all mechanical drivetrain that is so satisfying. Who did this guys headliner? very psychedelic.
@@wildbill23c I did all the work myself so I cannot comment on labor charges. Probably close to 20k but I also went with brand new dynatrac axles, atlas tcase and used OEM parts (from other vehicle applications)where I could for ease of replace ability in the future. This added to the costs, could probably do it for a lot cheaper if using online aftermarket parts that fit.
Great now I’m looking for crew cab 3500 on Craigslist. That’s a sick truck.
That is the perfect truck, and I love the tool boxes in the back instead of taking bed space. Awesome!
Sounds like a 3.73 swap might be a better gear ratio. Get those RPM's down on the freeway.
the 4.10s are probably better for pulling his trailer though
Or add a Gear Vendor and get the best of both worlds.
5 speed 3.73 much better. 4th for pulling & 5 th empty. 5th probably 20 plus w 3.73 @75. He's pushing 650-700 lb tq
I used a nv4500 and 3.54 gears and it is great!
@@jesshawkins6496 I turn 2000rpm at 90mph, 3.55 gears nv4500.
Can turn 1500rpm at 70mph
Hell of a build.... Enjoy it for years.
You guys are really gaining ground and also doing a great job! Looking forward to more episodes!
What a beautiful truck ! There is nothing better than a square body stick shift with a Cummins inside....😬💪🏻
Nice truck
I have a 1987 GMC w/5.7 and love it !
Love these old trucks and the Cummins makes it even better.
New!!! Everyday. I'll keep my 2018 hd 6.6 LTZ trim. Im the rarity of not ever really thinking square bodies looked good. Even as a kid i thought they looked lil bland. But this is bad ass and he really has shown passion for his truck! Great video.
12v guys used to use a thick lead sleave around the Cummins oil pan to dampen sound.
Love it love it love it! There is something very special with the old square body. I love the color combination.
I did the Cummins swap to my '66 Power Wagon and my '77 Cherokee Chief. Both are amazing rigs built properly, no crap computers or blue def nonsense, and neither will plummet in value like the new crap they make now.
I loved my old square body, 1987 3/4 ton with 6.2 L Diesel. Wish I had replaced the motor when it died. Great truck.
Man what a beautiful rig.
I've got a suburban with a 12 valve in it too and I put some sound deadening on the insides of the all 4 doors and that made a big difference on the noise levels while running down the road.
Dont forget the k5 blazers were also made till 91
New Venture Gear and New Process Gear are same company. They were made in Syracuse, NY. Geat truck you have there.
Damn this guy is everywhere on TH-cam with his trucks
You just can't beat a squarebody, then it gets better with a diesel.
Another great out of the box thinking video! You should have a special segment just called "Truck Mods"!
You could order what was called a "bonus cab" back in the day. It was basically a crew cab with the rear seat deleted. Coach companies would buy them to install sleeper seats or contractors would buy them to store all their tools back there. I dont know if if it was still an option in 1990 though.
Awesome truck! Runs smooth as silk.
I like the real world viewer's truck videos, y'all should do more of these! Great video!
The paisley on the headliner looks AMAZING gonna have to get a headliner made with that for my 89 chevy cheyanne
I wouldn't mind doing the same kind of swap, but with a 87-97 Ford F-250/350. Those are plentiful in a crew cab/4x4 SRW configuration. Not that there's anything wrong with the old 7.3 though! Even the old IDI was a tough old beast, even if not the most powerful thing.
James McIntire, yeah I agree. I’ve got a 95 7.3. It’s powerful but it would be nice to have a 12v 5.9.
I've got a 94 f350XL srw that I'm about to put my 12v in from my d250
@@Shredxcam22, nice swap. i kinda wish i had that motor in my truck because its all mechenical when taken care of will go forever. but then the 7.3 from 94.5-97.5 is still a tough motor. Either way I love my 7.3 Dinosaur.
this guy is my new mentor
I agree with DEBOSS Garage I think a square body Chev 3/4 ton with this diesel would be my dream farm truck and snowplow rig Good job
love it. That 5.9 should last at least 500k more like 1000000
Great job. I like that he didn't carve up the firewall.
years ago my wife and I passed a yack ranch on the way to telluride. when in telluride we had some of that yack at a restaurant. great meat!
I bought a 98 c1500 4 years ago for 5,700 best purchase I have made I love that truck
Now that's a real man's truck! No stupid 22 inch rims, no giant touchscreen, no backup camera just a tough rugged big truck meant to work
you got one of the good ones. by the way , nice job. I had a 93,95 and a 96 cummins . all automatics and they all had the P6100 bosch fuel pumps. that's the one to have. never had a problem with a cummins engine and I drove a lot of miles. routine service is key. the problems I had were the Dodge chassis. but that wasn't bad either. I like the set-up that you have. enjoy.
Awesome square body. Amazing, classy job on it!
Badass truck! Even a Dmax would be awesome in that truck.
2015_ Rubicnn yes, but the Cummins would be best If possible. Last a lot longer, and very easy to work on.
Cummins = American Engine
Duramax = Japanese Engine
@@burkey426 Partly correct,but it was a joint venture between GM and Isuzu. The Duramax is all founded, machined and built in Moraine, Ohio...so I'd probably say it's more American.
That headliner 👀🔥🔥🔥🔥