Detroit Diesel in a pickup

[jmeehan]

I need a little advice.

There's a 1 ton 4x4 early '80's GMC with a 4-53 Detroit Diesel here in town. The owner just offered to sell it to me.



It has an Advance Adapters Ranger Torque Splitter OD and a NP 435 4 speed transmission. The truck was assembled by the owner, who was a professional mechanic. It's a top notch install, but the body is rusting away.

Mainly I'd buy it for the drive train, then swap it into a two wheel drive pickup. I don't need another 4x4.

I can probably get the truck for around 2 grand.

I was planning on looking for a 12 valve two wheel drive in a year or so, but now this truck comes along.

How much H. P. is that 4-53 Detroit capable of? That's the main question I have.

Which engine would make a better diesel hot rod? The jimmy or a 12 valve cummins?

 

[Grey Wolf]

I saw quite a few of those around here in the late 70's and the horsepower was usually per the size of injectors. They definitely have a nice sound to them, However you probably wouldn't want to spend all day driving around in them... ... them scream pretty good! If you want to Hot Rod I would stick with the 12V



Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

4-53 GM

It's been said before, they do a great job of turning diesel fuel into noise! Stock form, they were rated 105 hp. in the 1950 Oliver tractors. I have no idea how hard they can be pushed. I do know that the 2100 rpm redline is a joke - they run best from 21-2500. They were pretty durable, and cheap (by diesel standards) to overhaul/get parts for.



Ray

 

[RustyJC]

Bear in mind that you're only dealing with 212 cubic inches (4 x 53), so even though it's a 2-cycle diesel, that's going to put a pretty effective cap on maximum BHP. It will never have the ultimate BHP potential of a 359 cubic inch B-series Cummins. Of course, only you can decide if it will make enough for you.



Rusty

 

[Rman]

Rusty's right, anytime anyone asks me how to make more power, my answer is always CUBES. Cubic inches are the simplist way of making power... bottom line. I'd go with the cummins 12v, but either way you'd have a cool ride.

 

[willyslover]

Jeff. . Eh cant hear you over the damnnnnn noise of that 2 stroker... why would you want to put yourself through that LOL

I'm square in the 5. 9 12 valve camp

 

[nickleinonen]

that would be a nice powertrain to stick in a jeep for playing with... the 2 cycles aren't that loud... [idling:-laf]

 

[jmeehan]

I'm talking myself out of this one. If I had money to burn it would be a fun toy. The thing would need more tinkering to keep it on the road then my jeep.

I'll keep saving my money and look for a 12 valve next year.

 

[Philip]

they do a great job of turning diesel fuel into noise!

that they do. roflmao.

 

[thekidfan]

Hey Tag-a-long, I mean Jeff lol, its me was great meeting you and cruisin up with you and Gary. Is this rig a duelly? If not since your making a 2WD out of it anyway i'll help you out on the $ thing would love to have that front axle in my old bowtie. Get that clutch squared away? Damn it sure didn't take long did it! take care bud. Jeff

 

[jmeehan]

Hey Jeff! Good to hear from you.

Yeah this rigs a duelly, but I'm not gonna buy it.

If I'm gonna work that hard on a truck I need more H. P. out of it. Plus I don't want to deal with rust and major body work issue's.



I don't have the clutch dealt with YET. The parts are here on the floor next to me. I got shop space, and a transmission jack, lined up for Friday so I can do the work.

It started slipping Sun. morning, the day after I installed the injectors. I set my box back to level 2, trying to take it easy on things. At level 2 I get more fuel @ 20 lbs. of boost. Well the clutch slip's when more fuel kicks in.

I nursed it home, 900 miles, then loaded it up to see if it would last a while. Nope, it's gone.

It's all right... I got the parts here now. Just got to get them in. I'll be back down in th world next month.

Still be taggin' along though, don't want to try and keep up with anyone that'll six wheel drift a 3500

 

[Sled Puller]

A very loud stone.

Friend of ours has been putting 4-53s, Perkins, Deutzs in pick ups for years. He loves to brag about his 28 to 35 MPG beasts.



But we can't hear him, becuase we drive the speed limit!!LOL.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I'm surprised I didn't find this thread sooner.....



I'd love to own a 2-stroker Detroit.



Between Deo and Doug Doring - they can tell you what to wrench on to make it sound like it has a 'mud rail' cam in it.



They do a REALLY good job of turning diesel fuel into noise... . and properly turned up - they do a good job of turning diesel fuel into noise and a respectable power level.



I think a 4-53 is too little for a pickup... ... a 6V-53 would make more sense..... a 12V-92 would be optimal... . but darn heavy.



This thread is describing a truck that sounds like it needs a lot of work..... that's too bad - it's still a cool swap, though.



Matt

 

[therabbittree]

300 plus hp is do able plus the detroits can use a REAL JAKE BRAKE!..... car eto take any pics for us ?... . even reagular papaer photos i'll pay to the postage and developing hehe. . i've been towing with a 453 in a tbucket . . with a jake... would be a head turner. . later

Deo

 

[jmeehan]

Deo,

This truck has a jake, the owner told me it's set up for two or four cylinder operation. I think, when I first saw the truck, he told me it's a 4-71 engine, I miss remembered.

I'll see if I can track it down for some pics.

If anyone on here is interested I could put you in touch with the owner. Jeff

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Definitely get some pics.



Take a whole roll of film worth.



Between Deo and I - we'll pay for your costs of taking the pics.



Matt

 

[Blakers]

The 4-53 is a Screamin' Deamon Gutless Wonder. You'll have to hold it at right about 2800 to get any power out of it. So you'll need at least a 10 speed to keep it up there. You'll grow to hate the noisy torque-less thing.



We had one in a C-65 and it had a hard time moving that truck with any speed. Torque was probably about the same as the 350 Chevy that was in a similar C-60 we had at the time.



Nowhere near a 5. 9 Cummins!