What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

new(ish) truck, 1982(1983?) k20 diesel - electrical woes.

X

xenomarine

1/2 ton status
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Posts
1,061
Reaction score
3
Location
Southington, CT
so i bought this truck off craigslist for $1000. it's a k20 diesel, with a 10 bolt, 14bsf, and an 8 foot stepside bed, which seems to be uncommon. well the bed is going to the first $50, or maybe just the scrap heap.

there is a problem with the charging system though. brand new alternator and batteries, and the batteries won't charge off the alternator, at least not enough to keep them charged. the dual battery setup is kinda odd, or so thinks my neighbor. the batteries are connected by a 4ga wire running across the fan shroud, with one lead going to the glow plugs, and another on the other battery going under the block, very likely the starter.

my neighbor called his buddy up and asked what might be the non-charging problem, and he said that these trucks are known for getting a short in the starter. might also be some ridiculously bad wiring.

when i started up the truck, one of the glow plugs' leads snapped off from being so rusty and worn out.

what i've got in the truck so far:
$1000 for truck
$150 for batteries
$80 for glow plugs and wire connectors
$150 tow to get it home 30 miles

it looks like a hunk but damn does it sound good.

what does ck5's experts think the problem might be?
 
Gee,it sounds like a clone to my '82 GMC K2500,with a 6.2!--its got the same 8 foot stepside bed on it too..:eek:..

My "brand new in 2004" AC 60G glow plugs litteraly rotted away in the 6 years I used it to plow my driveway--one by one the tabs for the wires fell off,and they were SO badly rusted,they were FUN to remove,since the 3/8" hex on them had whittled down to about 1/4" or looked like rivets..in fact,one or two are still in it,because they still work,and I'm not looking forward to trying to get them out..(I did find a tool that might work good though,a friend bought a new stud remover,that is almost like a drill chuck!)..I am using alligator clips temporarily to hook the wires to two glow plugs,in an effort to get every last mile out of them..the tabs on them broke,but they still "glow",so I aing scrapping them YET!..ten bucks a pop aint cheep,especially when you have 2 diesels to buy parts for..(my burb needs a few new GP's too--)

I am not sure about your batteries wiring,my 2 diesels ('85 K10 Suburban I have is also a diesel) have the long positive cable going across the radiator support,the positive on the passenger side battery goes right to the starter solenoid..the positive on the '82's passenger side goes to a glow plug relay bolted to the side of the fender,then from there it goes to the wiring harness,glow plug controller,etc..

You may have no juice in the 2 wired plug on the altenator,check with a test light ,bith of them should have 12V with the key in the "ON" position..the large terminal on the back of it with the thick red wire should have power at all times too--there might be a fusible link or two,in the red wires that bolt to the solenoid stud where the positive battery cable is attatched too..sounds to me like the altenator isn't getting energized ,so its not charging,if it starts and cranks normally,the fuse links are probably OK..

Post a photo of the truck if you can..if its maroon,it would be scary,because thats what color mine is--looks like a cranberry!..
 
i'm at work so i can't get a picture, but it was a green truck, now it is blue/green/bondo/rust with brown doors that are rotted.

this is my learning truck so i apologize in advance for possibly not making sense. i don't know nearly enough about electrical systems or engines to solve this problem by myself.

might as well note that the bed is being scrapped or sold or given away, and i'm pretty sure the truck was repainted with house paint
 
Still the first one I've heard of just like mine ,as far as the bed & diesel,SF axles,etc..I forget but I think I read only a couple of thousand 82's were sold with 8' stepside beds..I wondered if my truck might have been a military one seeing I bought it not far from Otis AFB,but the VIN numbers seem civillian,no sign of any olive drab paint on it either..mine is a Sierra Classic model..

Dont worry about this being your first truck,I'll be glad to walk you thru any questions you have,as many here did when I first got my '82 and didn't know hardly anything about a 6.2!..first thing I'd check is to see if your altenator is getting the voltage at the wires on the 2 wire plug and the one on the back with the big red wire while the key is on,or its running..if it has voltage at all 3 wires and still dont seem to be charging,(using a voltmeter is the best way to check the charging rate,it should be about 14.5V with it running)--it could be the regulator in the altenator is bad..
 
so i got the electrical problems squared away for the most part, now on to some other stuff.

i need to get replacement floor panels, where is the best place to get quality, thick panels? should i just fab my own, i might be using my brother's camaro seats instead of the bench.

should i run a fuel cell, since dual tanks hang lower than i'd like? where would i get a good sized one, and what size would be recommended?

if i'm running 35's what aftermarket axle shafts should i get for my dana 44? my stock ones are garbage, completely rusted, and destroyed from my attempts to pound out the u-joints. should i just get some stockers? i have money saved up so it won't be hard to justify getting some upgraded shafts.
 
I cant answer some of those questions..the fuel cell ?, I'd look into the legality of running one on the street,where will it be mounted (on the bed perhaps?)..they cost quite a bit and though they are safer than a typical fuel tank the DOT might not like seeing a exposed fuel cell,and mounting it in the frame rails might not gain you anything as far as clearance..

You might find the Camaro seats to be uncomfortable,I put a pair of bucket seats from a Mercury Topaz on a "frame" I made of bed frame angle iron ,I bolted the frame to the original bench seat brackets & tracks ,so both seats moved as a unit..I tipped the rear of the backs of them backwards as much as possible,but they were still too "straight up" for my liking,being 6'5" tall..I also had to swap on a smaller steering wheel so my legs could fit under it.I used one off a Cavalier..I saved the setup when I scrapped the truck I had them in,because they matched my 82's interior and they were velour seats,but I kind of doubt I'd trade my good old bench seat "couch" for those things again..in my experience only the right buckets made for a pickup,suburban or blazer fit right and are fairly comfy..those two things only you can decide..

As for axle shafts ,I only plow with my trucks,I dont do any off roading,so all I run is stock stuff..I have not had any axle failures with any of my trucks.1/2 or 3/4 ton up front..so unless you plan on whaling on it bad,I'd say stock ones shouls live,35" tires will put some stress on them though..
 
hmm alright, i'll take all this into consideration. i'm pretty sure the seats are what smell like wet dog and the camaro seats are pretty fresh and decent smelling. i need to check up on fuel cell laws.

i'm thinking about saving a little more and going for the superior chromoly shafts, but if someone knows where i could get similar or a little less expensive for a good deal, that would always be nice.
 
also, i'll be ordering my shackle flip and shackles as soon as possible, what is the best shackle length for a 6" front suspension lift? rough country 6" lift springs.
 
I`d be interested in the bed if there is anything left of it. Can you get some pics up. You might consider a Blazer or Suburban gas tank conversion. For what you spend on axle upgrades, you might want to save up for a Dana 60. How much wheeling are you going to do, that should determine your axle needs. I had either 33`s or 35`s on my 82 w/a ten bolt, it worked OK. Are you sure it`s a 44?
 
the bed is in rough shape, needs work but for $50, it's hard to go too wrong. if they're rare, it might be a collector item. the wheel humps have some bondo, the tailgate is a bit dented, and the part that is flush with the cab is dented in as well from use. the wood floor supports are shot. but my brother and i had a hell of a time lifting it off all in one piece, and it stayed in one piece
 
so it turns out my rear leafs are completely shot. one of the eyes is snapped. where can i get stock replacement leafs, or with 2" lift? 56" rear springs.

also, how do i edit the title of the thread?
 
I would just start a new thread about the springs..not sure if you can alter a title after a thread is started..

I know of local spring shops where you can buy new ones,but I'm sure there are more in your area than here that are a lot closer to you..might try google,I see a place called ATS that sell spings,I found them while searching for replacement stock shackles (which GM no longer sells, for 73-87 trucks!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom