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H

Hoghead

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2025
Posts
3
Reaction score
5
Location
Rockwall, TX
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
Custom Deluxe k20
Engine Size
350
Thanks for rhe add, my friend. I’m soon to take possession of a 1986 custom deluxe k20 with 44k on the clock from the original owner. I’m sure I’ll need plenty of support from you guys with all the experience. It currently has the sbc 350 with an auto tranny. Does anyone have experience with swapping in a diesel and what tranny and transfer case would you recommend? Thanks in advance.
 
cowpoke

cowpoke

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2025
Posts
19
Reaction score
47
Location
Poland
First Name
Tony
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
350
Welcome from Poland!

Why u wanna go with a diesel? With such a low milage I'd stick to the original motor. I had a truck that was converted from diesel to gas and it was the worst truck I've ever had... Everything was wrong with it. It might be easier with an older vehicle but in my opinion if you want a diesel, sell this one and look for a diesel.
 
Strick

Strick

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Posts
1,641
Reaction score
4,273
Location
Dunn, NC
First Name
Harold
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Crew
Engine Size
350
Welcome from the Tarheel State. Is the K20 a 4 speed manual? Low miles & almost 40 years old means it must be in good shape. Share some pics.

HS
 
E

edgephoto

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2023
Posts
123
Reaction score
202
Location
Stafford, CT
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
GMC V3500
Engine Size
7.4L
Why take a nice original truck and make an abomination out of it? Flip that truck and buy one of the CUCVs that are all over the place. Then you can add a vintage air system if you need A/C. That will be WAY less work.
 
legopnuematic

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
3,366
Reaction score
9,706
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
Welcome from Missouri.
 
JamesSam

JamesSam

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2023
Posts
1,941
Reaction score
5,343
Location
VA
First Name
Sam
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Silverado V10
Engine Size
5.7 L 350 v8
Welcome from VA.
 
H

Hoghead

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2025
Posts
3
Reaction score
5
Location
Rockwall, TX
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
Custom Deluxe k20
Engine Size
350
Thanks for the reply’s. I understand a diesel was an option for these trucks and thought for that reason I could find an oem diesel engine from that period with correct harness and have a factory like installation.
It’s an automatic not sure which one though. The truck has been in my family since new so it has sentimtntal value as well. I’d like the diesel to pull my gooseneck trailer and tractor.
 
cowpoke

cowpoke

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2025
Posts
19
Reaction score
47
Location
Poland
First Name
Tony
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
350
Hoghead said:
Thanks for the reply’s. I understand a diesel was an option for these trucks and thought for that reason I could find an oem diesel engine from that period with correct harness and have a factory like installation.
It’s an automatic not sure which one though. The truck has been in my family since new so it has sentimtntal value as well. I’d like the diesel to pull my gooseneck trailer and tractor.
Click to expand...
Share some pics!

I'd really keep it as much original as can be. If you really need a diesel, try buying some cheap work truck and keep the gasser a weekend rider as its value is only gonna increase over time.
 
H

Hoghead

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2025
Posts
3
Reaction score
5
Location
Rockwall, TX
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
Custom Deluxe k20
Engine Size
350
I don’t have the truck yet, but as soon as I get it, I’ll post some pics.
I have an f250 I’ve been pulling my rig with, so I’m fine there, just thought it’d be cool to pull up with my rock climbing cj7. I’m sure now, I’ll keep it somewhat original, keeping the 350. I’ll probably put a fuel injection system on it though.
Is there anywhere I can put in the vin and tell what the original equipment was?
 
cowpoke

cowpoke

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2025
Posts
19
Reaction score
47
Location
Poland
First Name
Tony
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
k20
Engine Size
350
Hoghead said:
I don’t have the truck yet, but as soon as I get it, I’ll post some pics.
I have an f250 I’ve been pulling my rig with, so I’m fine there, just thought it’d be cool to pull up with my rock climbing cj7. I’m sure now, I’ll keep it somewhat original, keeping the 350. I’ll probably put a fuel injection system on it though.
Is there anywhere I can put in the vin and tell what the original equipment was?
Click to expand...
I think the 350 should do fine with the CJ. I had a sticker in mine (peeled off but laying on the ground) with all the options such as 4 speed trans, upper body molding, am radio and so on. Probably every truck should have it unless it got lost somewhere over the years. LMC vin encoder will only tell you about the year, engine, plant it was made in, and if it's a 1/2, 3/4 or a 1 ton.
 
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