25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Truck Hippy · 03-10-2008, 02:10 AM

Here's the deal. Ever since I sold my '72 swb 4x4, I have been sick. It wasn't anything special but it was a good foundation for a really nice truck. All the running gear had been rebuilt but the body was rough. I have decided to start looking for another one this summer and build it to drive every day, look good, and get 25 mpg...... or close to it. My question to everyone here is if you had a blank sheet of paper, what would you do to the truck to meet the goal? The only thing is the truck has to keep the stock ride height and have A/C. Any engine/trans/ t-case combo is fair game. The first engine that comes to mind is a Dmax swap. Maybe a BMW diesel or gas engine?? The 6.2/6.5/olds 350 GM diesels and the Cummins diesels are out. Oh one last thing, the 25 mpg needs to be city. I know, I know

AlienYouth · 03-10-2008, 05:38 AM

maybe a hybrid...

Cannon007 · 03-10-2008, 05:39 AM

LS1/T56 and 3.23 gears you can get a combo on Ebay for around $5k, but will take some work to swap in the T56. But you want a 4x4 though right? If you want a 4x4 with 25mpg then yea your gona have to go diesel.

1971 K10 shortbox · 03-10-2008, 06:52 AM

It would take alot of work but I think a duramax would be SWEET!!!!!!!

72LoBurb · 03-10-2008, 07:21 AM

Cummins 4BT, with a turbo added. There have been a few articles in diesel magazines about these motors doing better than 500hp.
A milder version of one of these builds would probably get you in the ballpark and get you enoughgrunt to haul a 4x4 around.

I know you said no Cummins, but I assumed you were talking about the Cummins 6BT that was in the Dodge trucks. The 4BT is in the same family, just 2 less cylinders, and not factory turboed, to my knowledge.

crazy longhorn · 03-10-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truck Hippy

Here's the deal. Ever since I sold my '72 swb 4x4, I have been sick. It wasn't anything special but it was a good foundation for a really nice truck. All the running gear had been rebuilt but the body was rough. I have decided to start looking for another one this summer and build it to drive every day, look good, and get 25 mpg...... or close to it. My question to everyone here is if you had a blank sheet of paper, what would you do to the truck to meet the goal? The only thing is the truck has to keep the stock ride height and have A/C. Any engine/trans/ t-case combo is fair game. The first engine that comes to mind is a Dmax swap. Maybe a BMW diesel or gas engine?? The 6.2/6.5/olds 350 GM diesels and the Cummins diesels are out. Oh one last thing, the 25 mpg needs to be city. I know, I know

Lets go smoke another blunt, & think about that 25 mpg on a 4x4

crazyL

463 · 03-10-2008, 08:24 AM

can you say minny van lol

qksilver · 03-10-2008, 08:39 AM

4 cylinder turbo diesel, manual trans 6 speed at least, aluminum transfer case , torque around 325-350lbs, keep your weight low, efficiency high, low number gearing . Low rolling resistance.
Find a 4 cylinder turbo diesel set up out of an Iveco, Izusu, mercedes box van or something similar. Use one that will do the job but isn't too powerful and watch your weight, probably come close.
By the time you finish spending, you might find out it doesn't work out moneywise unless you plan on driving hundreds of thousands of miles

**1970cstblazer** · 03-10-2008, 05:25 PM

Buy an S-10...

Truck Hippy · 03-10-2008, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the replys!!
LoBurb, The reason I said no Cummins is that I hate the way they sound and I think it would be very hard to keep that sound out of the cab while driving down the road. I talked to a guy several years ago at the Turkey run in Daytona who had a 67-72 body swapped onto a 90's dually chassis. It had some kind of in line ISUZU diesel and he said the sound inside the cab was terrible.
qksilver, I have thought about the $$ needed to try to get 25mpg and it may not even be worth it. You're right that it may take alot of miles of driving the truck to see any overall savings but I usually keep a ride for several years. I kept the last '72 for 6 years and my current ride, I have had 11 years.
While my current truck is a gas hog, my monthly gas bill is about $150-180. I'm sick of reading about record profits all the time so I thought the only way to keep my some of my money is to either buy a Preis or try to build a cool looking '72 that will get great mileage.

Ol'Rover · 03-10-2008, 05:56 PM

you could get close to it with an 1987-1992 TBI305... there easy to find.

arkracing · 03-10-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol'Rover

you could get close to it with an 1987-1992 TBI305... there easy to find.

I HIGHLY Doubt that. I have a '94 TBI 305 that only has 12k on it - fresh rebuild + all new tune up parts. 4L60E Tranny and 3.42 rear gears. It is a 1500 4x2 LWB. I can't get better than 14.5 with it empty with cruise on, AC off and a light foot.

The 305 will have to work way too hard in a 4x4 and kill any hopes of gas mileage. It works way to hard in my 4x2

Ol'Rover · 03-10-2008, 10:09 PM

mine works great. And ive seen '85 K10 with a 305 in it works great. I have an 88 Scottsdale ext.cab 2WD and mine dosnt work hard. I simply love it. And it gets great gas milage for a V8

67_C-30 · 03-10-2008, 11:22 PM

The 6.2/6.5 is a NOT an Olds conversion diesel FYI. The early 5.7's were Olds conversions and the 6.2/6.5's were designed for Chevy by Detroit Diesel. These engines should never br compared in any way.

With that being said, I have got as good as 26-27 mpg on the highway with mith my 84 K1500 with 33X12.50-R15's and 700R4 tranny. The truck has 323,000 miles on it and it is getting tired, but has never been out of the truck. The IP was replaced at around 180,000 and it has had 2 or 3 sets of glow plugs. If a rod flys out of it today, I can't complain a bit!

6.2/6.5 info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Diesel_V8_engine

4.3/5.7 Olds info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmob...esel_V6_engine

Senator350 · 03-10-2008, 11:48 PM

here's my solution
drive my '69 4X4 that gets 12mpg ONLY when i need a truck
and drive a compact car the rest of the time.

between the two, i average just above 20mpg.

03-10-2008, 02:10 AM	#1
Truck Hippy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hickory, NC. Posts: 776	25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? Here's the deal. Ever since I sold my '72 swb 4x4, I have been sick. It wasn't anything special but it was a good foundation for a really nice truck. All the running gear had been rebuilt but the body was rough. I have decided to start looking for another one this summer and build it to drive every day, look good, and get 25 mpg...... or close to it. My question to everyone here is if you had a blank sheet of paper, what would you do to the truck to meet the goal? The only thing is the truck has to keep the stock ride height and have A/C. Any engine/trans/ t-case combo is fair game. The first engine that comes to mind is a Dmax swap. Maybe a BMW diesel or gas engine?? The 6.2/6.5/olds 350 GM diesels and the Cummins diesels are out. Oh one last thing, the 25 mpg needs to be city. I know, I know

03-10-2008, 05:38 AM	#2
AlienYouth Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 411	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? maybe a hybrid... __________________ Picturesss 71 C10 383/TH400 13.65 @ 99... 2.06 60' spinnin :/

03-10-2008, 05:39 AM	#3
Cannon007 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 69	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? LS1/T56 and 3.23 gears you can get a combo on Ebay for around $5k, but will take some work to swap in the T56. But you want a 4x4 though right? If you want a 4x4 with 25mpg then yea your gona have to go diesel.

03-10-2008, 06:52 AM	#4
1971 K10 shortbox Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lake Orion MI Posts: 111	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? It would take alot of work but I think a duramax would be SWEET!!!!!!! __________________ 1971 Chevy SWB 4x4 1971 Chevy LWB 2003 Duramax

03-10-2008, 07:21 AM	#5
72LoBurb Yup, I'm comp-useless Join Date: May 2005 Location: Edmonton,Alta,Canada Posts: 360	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? Cummins 4BT, with a turbo added. There have been a few articles in diesel magazines about these motors doing better than 500hp. A milder version of one of these builds would probably get you in the ballpark and get you enoughgrunt to haul a 4x4 around. I know you said no Cummins, but I assumed you were talking about the Cummins 6BT that was in the Dodge trucks. The 4BT is in the same family, just 2 less cylinders, and not factory turboed, to my knowledge. __________________ 1972 Chev Suburban(ongoing driveable project) 2010 Harley Wide Glide 1996 Subaru Outback(daily beater) !992 T-Bird Super Coupe(yet, another project) 1995 GMC Suburban(will be for sale, soon) 1995 Dodge 3500 Club Cab(Cummins 12V) 2001 Freightliner(Cummins Powered Money Maker)

03-10-2008, 08:24 AM	#7
463 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sask Canada Posts: 1,666	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? can you say minny van lol

03-10-2008, 08:39 AM	#8
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? 4 cylinder turbo diesel, manual trans 6 speed at least, aluminum transfer case , torque around 325-350lbs, keep your weight low, efficiency high, low number gearing . Low rolling resistance. Find a 4 cylinder turbo diesel set up out of an Iveco, Izusu, mercedes box van or something similar. Use one that will do the job but isn't too powerful and watch your weight, probably come close. By the time you finish spending, you might find out it doesn't work out moneywise unless you plan on driving hundreds of thousands of miles

03-10-2008, 05:25 PM	#9
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,933	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? Buy an S-10... __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 45k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 62k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

03-10-2008, 05:44 PM	#10
Truck Hippy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hickory, NC. Posts: 776	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? Thanks for the replys!! LoBurb, The reason I said no Cummins is that I hate the way they sound and I think it would be very hard to keep that sound out of the cab while driving down the road. I talked to a guy several years ago at the Turkey run in Daytona who had a 67-72 body swapped onto a 90's dually chassis. It had some kind of in line ISUZU diesel and he said the sound inside the cab was terrible. qksilver, I have thought about the $$ needed to try to get 25mpg and it may not even be worth it. You're right that it may take alot of miles of driving the truck to see any overall savings but I usually keep a ride for several years. I kept the last '72 for 6 years and my current ride, I have had 11 years. While my current truck is a gas hog, my monthly gas bill is about $150-180. I'm sick of reading about record profits all the time so I thought the only way to keep my some of my money is to either buy a Preis or try to build a cool looking '72 that will get great mileage.

03-10-2008, 05:56 PM	#11
Ol'Rover Project: years too late. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Almonte,ON,Canada Posts: 550	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? you could get close to it with an 1987-1992 TBI305... there easy to find. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepper LSX 5.3/4L60E 3.73 12bolt posi. Father Son Project. In Memory of Bruce C. Shorten. Rest easy Dad. Ill take it fryom here.

03-10-2008, 10:09 PM	#13
Ol'Rover Project: years too late. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Almonte,ON,Canada Posts: 550	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? mine works great. And ive seen '85 K10 with a 305 in it works great. I have an 88 Scottsdale ext.cab 2WD and mine dosnt work hard. I simply love it. And it gets great gas milage for a V8 __________________ 1971 C10 Stepper LSX 5.3/4L60E 3.73 12bolt posi. Father Son Project. In Memory of Bruce C. Shorten. Rest easy Dad. Ill take it fryom here.

03-10-2008, 11:22 PM	#14
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? The 6.2/6.5 is a NOT an Olds conversion diesel FYI. The early 5.7's were Olds conversions and the 6.2/6.5's were designed for Chevy by Detroit Diesel. These engines should never br compared in any way. With that being said, I have got as good as 26-27 mpg on the highway with mith my 84 K1500 with 33X12.50-R15's and 700R4 tranny. The truck has 323,000 miles on it and it is getting tired, but has never been out of the truck. The IP was replaced at around 180,000 and it has had 2 or 3 sets of glow plugs. If a rod flys out of it today, I can't complain a bit! 6.2/6.5 info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Diesel_V8_engine 4.3/5.7 Olds info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmob...esel_V6_engine __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club! Last edited by 67_C-30; 03-10-2008 at 11:24 PM.

03-10-2008, 11:48 PM	#15
Senator350 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 522	Re: 25 + mpg '72 swb 4x4?? here's my solution drive my '69 4X4 that gets 12mpg ONLY when i need a truck and drive a compact car the rest of the time. between the two, i average just above 20mpg. __________________ RN U OVR



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