5/4cucv or 86 gmc 3500

[mcmetalwrx]

Hello all,

As my first post after many lurked hours. I wanna say thanks for answering so many of my questions already.

Ok so Im in the planing phase of building a, rock stompin, stuff haulin, 1ton, diesel GM... typical stuff, around here... hummer wheels, big tires, 456 gears, doubler, wheel base change. Flatbed, custom bumpers, cage, etc.

I have some money saved and, a couple of options what do You guys think.

Note I have my heart set on a diesel rig,

Not sure if I want to build the rig I have or buy a 5/4ton cucv and build it.

Option 1. 86 GMC 3500 4x4 DRW, BBC/4spd/205

Pros-

- title in my dads name and he will give it to me.
- solid clean body, Never abused running gear
- 456 gears, Swap in a cucv rear, do some spring switching and im set.
- has electric power brakes, Good b/c I want to do a diesel swap.
- has a drw 60 in the front so I may not have to recenter the h1 wheels, although I could swap to the cucv.

Cons-
-I gotta buy a good 6.5, and do the swap.I Can handle the swap but I have plenty of work piling up in my shop so im trying to keep this project short and sweet(unlike the post).
- have to get a srw rear end.
- Registration is 10yrs out of date $$?
-Im sure I would eventually want an od tranny on both trucks.

Option 2-
5/4ton cucv, You guys already know they are killer trucks.

Pros-
-Already diesel
-already srw
- maybe less work depending on condition.

Cons-
- would rather have a manual tranny
- has a has np208tc but im going to have to pull it in either truck for the 203/205,
- I have to find and buy a good truck. I foresee a trip to the 100dollarman in my near future either way.
- Im sure I would eventually want an od tranny on both trucks.
- would rather have a 6.5, although I could turbo the 6.2

My consensus at the moment is the the 3500 will yield a better truck in the end.

The cucv will be less work. But its all just a drop in the bucket.

They will both cost about the same.


Thanks

 

[blowedupmotor87]

Both sound like good starting points to me!

Another (way off in left field) idea for ya:
What about a 90+?
Find a good regular cab SRW newer body style truck, and do a solid axle swap on it.
Pros:
6.5 already in it
overdrive tranny already (easy to find: 4L80E, harder to find (but still out there): NV 4500)
newer body, galvanized sheetmetal (less rust issues)
NVG 241 (why is this a pro?- read up on 241/205 doublers!)
No sidesaddle gas tanks!
Cons:
IFS- you'll want to do a solid axle swap
Plasticky interior- not the more metal intensive sweet 73-88(91) interior
it's not a 73-88(91) (though 88-99 are some handsomely sculpted trucks too!)
small wheelwells that don't seem to take as kindly to a sawzall
more electrical doo-dads

Just throwing the thought out there for ya since you seem to really want a 6.5 and an OD tranny, why not start off with both?!

Here's an example of a reg. cab, 6.5/nv4500, SRW, 4X4 truck (a 1999 with admittedly really high mileage, YIKES!) they're out there, just gotta be patient!:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=290966576&dealer_id=103585&car_year=1998&doors=&systime=&model=GMC3500PU&search_lang=en&start_year=1992&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=0&min_price=&drive=4+wheel+drive&rdm=1295845045594&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=Diesel&keywords_display=&sownerid=363587&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=1999&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=28075&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=GMC&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=607&standard=false

 

[82355]

You would actually have to recenter the H1 wheels to use with a SRW.

The dually is your better option.

Martin

 

[gotblazers]

do the cucv and give me that 3500 . In all seriousness though the gmc is your best choice
1.The damn things free, Thats enough right there but ill go on
2.As previously stated you dont have to recenter h1's, Although i would reconsider using the 16.5's they are incredibly hard to find tires for (besides the cheapass pos dry rotted military ones)
3.you dont get the POS diesel you think you want that will die prematurely for a laundry list of problems chevy diesels had and BBC's are badass.

 

[GreenieK30]

I started with a 1986 1 ton 454 dually flatbed and have no regrets. That is a great truck to start with.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

WAIT.... whaaat? The GMC is free?!
Umm, yeah, build IT!!!!
I didn't catch that part!
That big block will beat the heck outta a 6.2 or 6.5 in every way other than ability to drive by a gas pump!

Having thought about it more- Outta the two, it really is the way to go! (not even counting the price difference!)

big block!
465 (you mentioned you want a manual)
205
60
14bff (swapped from a cucv)

That's a bullet proof drivetrain right there! Not too much point in having overdrive, just get some good sized tires, the truck is so big that having overdrive isn't exactly gonna make or break its mpg!

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Im happy with my M1008 CUCV i just need to change out the 208 to a 205. its not as bad as you think. they run well if you know what your doing. there is a huge amount of knowledge out there if you look here and on SteelSoldiers for the 24v issues. plus no smog laws incali for old diesels like mine. 454 some time in late 2011 early 2012

 

[mcmetalwrx]

turns out the 3500 is 3.73 gears... seems I was misinformed. back to the drawing board.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

NVG 241 (why is this a pro?- read up on 241/205 doublers!)

He did say less time intensive

If you're wanting to use H1 beadlock wheels you want the dually front end from the '86 3500.

The CUCV trucks aren't without their shortcomings either, the 24V electrical system is pain, the 208 isn't great, bare bones interior, auto trans (you said you wanted a manual) etc.

It really sounds like the '86 3500 will be better for you.

 

[GreenieK30]

turns out the 3500 is 3.73 gears... seems I was misinformed. back to the drawing board.

If you are going to pass up a free 1986 1 ton because of the gear ratio you are not very smart. I would look at it as an opportunity to swap in some Jana76 parts in the front and gears & a locker in a 14 bolt is an easy install.