Rebuilt GMC Truck Is A Fuel-Efficient Powerhouse

Rebuilt GMC Truck Is A Fuel-Efficient Powerhouse TRUCKS Modifications 31-5-34 Allan Schiefelbein of Whitemouth, Manitoba, needed a more powerful pickup but he wanted it to be fuel efficient. He got what he wanted by repowering his 1993 GMC K-3500 with a 5.9-liter Cummins diesel engine. "It's one of the most challenging projects I've done. I'm a mechanic, so it was very satisfying to have it work out so well," he says. "It was a very tight fit, so it took some time to figure it all out." Schiefelbein says the truck was originally powered by a 350 gas automatic. "It got horrible gas mileage. The best it could do was 14 miles per gallon," he says. He chose to repower the vehicle with a 5.9-liter Cummins diesel engine because it has a good reputation for being reliable, with a good fuel and torque ratio. Some of the features that Schiefelbein built into the truck include its own low oil pressure and over-temperature warning system with automatic shutdown, a heavy duty radiator from a Ford diesel truck, and a heavy duty alternator out of an older GMC. "I built the box myself, with a second fuel tank on it so I can switch from tank to tank on the go," he explains. "The truck's equipped with a slide-out fifth wheel plate, also." The industrious mechanic changed the unit to a 3:42 gear ratio and included a locking rear end (the back differential has a Detroit locker, forcing both wheels to turn equally). He also built his own anti-theft system. Schiefelbein built the rig about 3 years ago and has been to both the east and west coasts with it, pulling a 24-ft. fifth wheel trailer. "I have a heavy foot and I averaged 15 mpg pulling the fifth wheel trailer," he says. "I spent about six months off and on with this project, as I wanted to make sure it was reliable. I also didn't spare any expense and have probably spent $10,000 to do it. The radiator was the hardest part because I had to completely re-manufacture the front end, but I didn't want to have any over-heating problems, and I haven't." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Allan Schiefelbein, P. O. Box 343, Whitemouth, Manitoba, Canada R0E 2G0 (ph 204 348-2560; beefman422000@yahoo.com).

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