Tow Pig Resto - Getting the Bugs Out

Note: This thread is going to be loaded with pics of everything. Most of it will be a restoration/cleaning and not as much of custom work so it may be boring to you. I hope all of the pics may help others on their projects but I'm mainly doing it to keep track of the before and after.

I've been wanting a full size diesel for awhile and a friend from work was selling this for a price I couldn't pass up. It has been sitting under a tree for a couple of years so I have some work to do to revive it. I'm mainly going to use it to tow my projects around. I have a few I still need to move to my house.

The Truck:
93 Chevrolet 3500 Non Dually
6.5L Turbo Diesel

The plans:
- Get rid of the ant nest, roach nest and what ever other bugs are living in it. I'm getting the bugs out literally!
- Clean up the wiring
- Get it running well then convert to biodiesel
- 99-2000 Interior Swap
- Minor Engine Bolt Ons
- New Paint Job same factory black

What I would like to do but don't know if it will ever happen:
- Solid Front Axle Swap/4x4 Conversion with Air Suspension
- More Extensive Engine Mods. I know the 6.5L isn't known for power but I want to see what I can do.

On to the pics!

Before I picked it up from my friend:

nice solid looking truck its a winner got that Dick Cheney sticker on it!!! u can basically build this truck from the ground up LMC they got everything! my grandfather had a 1996 GMC Sierra extended cab step side super-charged and that was my first truck in high school we still regret trading it in

That Dick Cheney sticker cracks me up every time I read it!

Thanks man I'll have to check LMC out. I have a lot to learn with this truck and diesels for sure.

Were there any common problems you had with your 96? It looks like the person that had it before my friend did a lot of wiring additions.

Anyone want a CB Radio?

Not familiar with GM diesels! Main thing I do on my 7.3 is fuel additive! These older trucks not made for ultra low sulpher diesel! Also motor oil! Either use GM or what they recommend! Never use regular rotella! Rotella t is ok! The t has an anti foam agent in it! Hope this helps a little!

Not a big chevy man personally lol... but there's a company out there that makes a supercharger for the 6.5l, I wanna say its Mercury or something along those lines. Other than that looks good!

Looks like a decent project. Did you mean "convert to veggie oil"? Because it is already ready to run on biodiesel, all of them are, but veggie oil, WMO, etc takes a little more work. You are lucky, you are starting with a 93 Mechanical Injection truck, 94+ is electrical and had quite a few issues, mainly the PMD overheating, but that's and easy fix that you don't have to worry about since you have a 93.

As far as performance, forget it. You could turn up the pump a bit and get slightly more power, but it would not be enough to make it worth the damage you can do to the engine. They are prone to cracking blocks when turned up, although the 96+ blocks are worse.

The best thing to do with the 6.5 is open up the exhaust for a little more flow and just drive it, enjoy decent power and good fuel mileage, the 6.5s can be real mileage misers when driven properly.

Thanks topless, what kind of fuel additive do you use?

eddiep - I'm not much of a chevy fan either but I hope this truck changes my mind!

Thanks for all the info GCnsuHD. I meant to say, make biodiesel. I was excited when I found this deal but disappointed when I read all of the forum threads about this engine not making much power

Do you know anyone that has swapped a newer Duramax into this body style? In my research I also found this site where they claim to make pretty good power from the 6.5L.

looks like a nice rig baha
you should go check out gmt400.com
that forum will have everything you need to know about that truck
including engine swaps to a d-max or cummins

if you are just throwing out the cb, id take it lol

Diesel kleen is what I try to use!

yupp... definitely needs a cummins. 12v or 24v with the 12v ppump. throw a fass or an airdog into it and twins........ fastest tow pig you'll ever drive lol