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Detroit Diesel topkick

6.8K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  junkmandan  
#1 ·
I've been kicking around the idea of a 1ton gmc with a 6v53t but I just don't think its what I want because with all of the extra add ons I would be putting on it, the truck would look like a topkick when Im done. I was wondering what my options are to find a 80's chevy c60 and put either a 6v53t or 6v92ta if it would fit. Also would want to make the truck 4x4 so would my guess is the 2.5 ton Rockwell front axle out of say a deuce and a half may work for this? I just don't see building a 1 ton up with all the parts that a topkick already has other than 4 wheel drive. Any opinions? Or call me an idiot if Im being un logical haha
 
#2 ·
I am about to do a swap into a deuce and the rock wells really limit lower rpm engines like the 6v92 (2100) because they are geared so dang low they are 6.72:1 lol a Dana 60 will hold a 6v53 just put some good thick leafs up front. They do make some 4 something to 1 gears for the deuce axles but it's 1200$ for the gear set. Not really feasible unless you have lots of money
 
#3 ·
There were many of the c60 and c70 trucks with the Detroit's already in them.

You may benefit from finding one of them and matching gears in a front axle since the rear was a two speed.

How about some more info? Planned use, power goals, drive train, lift and tires? What your end goal plays a big part on what you actually need to realize that goal.
 
#4 ·
What you are looking for already exists. The 6V53N and T were offered in the 7000/7500 GMC / Chevy C70/C75. I have seen more than one with the 6V53T, both backed by 5/6 speed spicers and 2 speed rears. Although lots of these trucks are about or in hiding, very few of them have the 2 cycle diesel engines that we seek. Almost all of them have the worthless big block v8's or the 8.2L. The only ones worth anything are those powered by the BF6L513C Deutz, or 4-53T/6V53T Detroit Diesels. The medium duty's could have been ordered with 4x4, but it is very uncommon. I have never seen one in person. I would think that they had a single speed rear end with a matching axle up front. My 7500 GMC Conventionals brochure says "4 wheel drive 7000/7500 series single axle trucks for offroad operations not requiring the submersion of wheels and axles in mud or water above the axle hubs, available in 7 diesel models" If there are 7 models, we could suspect fire truck, flat bed, dump truck with the 3208 Cat, 8.2L and 6V53T Detroit Diesels

Chris
 
#5 ·
The reason i was leaning more towards a topkick was thinking i may be able to fit a 92 series detroit in with jakes because jakes for 53 series are so darn expensive and hard to find. I would like to stay under cdl ratings just to keep registration costs down. From my understanding two speed rears change ratio however 4x4 front axle would only be engaged in low speed anyhow so 2nd speed shouldnt matter if its not used just so the low speed ratio and front axpe ratio are in sync right?
 
#10 ·
My 6v53 came from a 1980 IH chassis that was under a fire truck. It was an unusual truck because of the 6v53, most that had 2 cycle Detroits were 6 or 8v71s.
Might want to look at older fire trucks, because a high percentage had 2 cycle Detroits
 
#12 ·
6V53Ts were in the GMC Brigadier chassis, so that would have been in the early 80s vintage . Probably the 3208T filled in for a while after that . When Volvo took over White/GMC which may have been in the '86-88 era, the first thing they did was phase out the Astro and General. They continued with the short nose Brigadier , probably because of the car hauler market. Brigs were built into the late '80s, but had a junk cab, very prone to rust. About the only body part transferrable from the pickup panel vendors like LMC parts, is the ventshades off the side doors.