ExpoMike
Well-known member
Hi all, so I have been slowly working on my M1010 project (aka Desert Turtle, see my link in sig) and am at a project crossroads. I have already purchased most of big (read expensive) parts for the internal camper build and am getting ready to start with the roof raise so we can stand up inside. Part of my original plan has been to build out the camper, take care of the needed maintenance of the truck and add some comfort to the cab for traveling. This would including things like A/C, radio, sound deadening and carpet. Already swapped in better seats. Since I am not a huge fan of the original 6.2L diesel, my plan has been to eventually do an engine swap to a 7.4L BBC engine. My goal was to get the box completed and do a few shakedown trips and get things sorted out. Then 6-12 months later do the engine swap.
Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans... Last year I went through the cooling system and took care of the leaking/plugged radiator by having it re-cored. Runs nice and cool and all seemed to be well. I haven't driven it much (maybe a couple hundred miles since) but notice it seems like it is losing coolant as I have been having to top off the overflow tank. There are zero leaks and I have fears it is what is a common issue with the earlier 6.2L diesels. They are known to blow the head gasket back on the #8 cylinder and/or cracking the heads. Actually the crack head problem is almost likely a guarantee of this vintage but you don't know until you take them off and get them checked. Based on reading decades of reports from people, it is very likely and is the likely cause of coolant loss. I am not really at that point of tearing an engine apart or doing an engine swap (though I actually have the engine) as those are both big projects in themselves.
Now my dilemma. I have toyed with the idea of swapping the box onto a newer platform, which solves a lot of things all at once (better creature comforts, better drivetrain, not dealing with 35 year old parts and issues, etc.). The downside is the cost, to make this jump, as the newer truck is a huge cost but a huge savings in time and work. There is the cost and effort to get the box transferred over but my mind feels that is an easier task than all the work I need to do on the current rig (which will include redoing all the brakes including the hard/soft lines, reseal the transfer case, engine swap and everything related to changing from diesel to gas, full interior comfort items, paint, etc.). Once the box swap is done, I can continue the build out of it and once ready, could hit the road.
Really having a hard time deciding which direction to go. Pros and cons to both scenarios. I did do a mock up last year of what the box could look like on a different platform, to get an idea.
Rig as it currently is
Mock up on a later model Chevy truck
Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans... Last year I went through the cooling system and took care of the leaking/plugged radiator by having it re-cored. Runs nice and cool and all seemed to be well. I haven't driven it much (maybe a couple hundred miles since) but notice it seems like it is losing coolant as I have been having to top off the overflow tank. There are zero leaks and I have fears it is what is a common issue with the earlier 6.2L diesels. They are known to blow the head gasket back on the #8 cylinder and/or cracking the heads. Actually the crack head problem is almost likely a guarantee of this vintage but you don't know until you take them off and get them checked. Based on reading decades of reports from people, it is very likely and is the likely cause of coolant loss. I am not really at that point of tearing an engine apart or doing an engine swap (though I actually have the engine) as those are both big projects in themselves.
Now my dilemma. I have toyed with the idea of swapping the box onto a newer platform, which solves a lot of things all at once (better creature comforts, better drivetrain, not dealing with 35 year old parts and issues, etc.). The downside is the cost, to make this jump, as the newer truck is a huge cost but a huge savings in time and work. There is the cost and effort to get the box transferred over but my mind feels that is an easier task than all the work I need to do on the current rig (which will include redoing all the brakes including the hard/soft lines, reseal the transfer case, engine swap and everything related to changing from diesel to gas, full interior comfort items, paint, etc.). Once the box swap is done, I can continue the build out of it and once ready, could hit the road.
Really having a hard time deciding which direction to go. Pros and cons to both scenarios. I did do a mock up last year of what the box could look like on a different platform, to get an idea.
Rig as it currently is
Mock up on a later model Chevy truck
