New For Me 1985 Silverado 20 6.2 Diesel

Well, I drove the truck on my weekly town trip. Got Classic tags, so I don't ever have to buy tags, so now all my vehicles are Classic, kinda like Me. Anyway lots of stops and etc, many starts, and the only trouble is waiting for the glow plug light to go out. Cruse control is great. Got a few complements as well, so feels so good to be in a square. Did a little more detailing, gotta clean up the engine compartment. If this was my 54, just get out the pressure washer and wash the heck outa the engine, but afraid that will damage something, so doing the johnny armstrong method. Starting to look good. I will get some oven cleaner and spray the block, pan trans and pressure wash that off, then finish the top side. Hate popping the hood and seeing gunk, ugg. Nice ol' Ferd......

Well I have been using the C20, and I really like it now. It is quiet, rides nice, has very comfy seats, and....looks great. I hauled 1700 lbs of corn home for the steers we are feeding, and didn't even know it had a load. A few pics.

My wife likes the truck so much, she wants to sell her 2018 GMC Sierra HD2500, (gotta like a girl that likes trucks!) We have also decided to sell our Grand Design Imagine Trailer, as we don't use it enough to keep it around, but is is sweet...

Here is our "new" plan. We found that Leer makes a topper that fits this truck, here is a picture: (not my truck)

Well, well, well....

GM's other saddest nightmare wins a fan. Who'da thunk?

Welcome to the club. And, BTW, beautiful truck. Thanks for the pics.

We want to combine this topper with a topper lift like this:

For Jan and I, I think this is a good fit. The truck already has two big batteries, but our plan is to add a solar panel, wiring from the alternator to charge a lithium type battery tor the tent onside lights, and outside lights. We will also add a canopy, maybe like this:

With this setup, we can haul our Polaris ranger on our trailer, for Bonneville, or Webb Slew events. This is the least expensive way for us to travel, simple and way more minimalistic. The 6.2 gets way better mileage then the GMC pulling the camper, (which is between 7-10 MPG.) Also this setup is not very heavy. When I finish restoring the K20, we can use it for hauling the big stuff in the bed like hay, and grain etc.

I have searched this site, and many others for toppers that fit our trucks. I will make a future post as to what fits my 85, and pic on how it looks. We love our dogs, and they go everywhere with us, hence the need for a topper. Single cab, two dog is doable to town, but not for road trips.

Figuring out the pro's outweigh the con's on them 6.2s .Smokin mpg and ability to haul anything. The qualities that I need in a truck.

Speaking of road trips, My niece graduated from WSU last year Dr of Vet medicine, and got a job on a race horse ranch in Kentucky. While she has learned much, she wants to come home at the end of her intern, and Jan and I are planning to go back to help her move home. Our "plan" is to have the 85 all ready to go, and drive that back there, but needs the topper for the pups. Sounds like an adventure, as it has been years since I crossed the Mississippi. Also Skip White is in Tennessee, about six hours away, and if the stars align, I will pick up the parts for the 454 build in the K20. We will see.

Outfitting for an overland type rig can be expensive, our budget is 10,000. This would include a topper from Leer, 2000.00 max, something used, kind of like this:
The topperezlift system with contractor tent system. This one:

Power management most likely this company, staller products:

We want to be able to be off grid some, so would use something like this Domestic unit, or ARB it refrigerate:

For storage I might build something, or buy something like this:

Jan and I do like to go up in the hills in the fall and winter, so a heater would be nice. Also when we go to Bonnyville, it gets cold after sun down. Since my truck is a diesel, it makes since to use a diesel heater, We like this one:

While I don't think I can have all this done for our trip to Kentucky, we are shooting for having the topper, lift at the minimum. ONE THING I MUST FIX IT THE GAS GAGES AND TANK SWITCHING. Yeah I know I am shouting, but that has a purpose. The archives wiring diagram is unreadable, the fuse box lettering is also unreadable, so am a little stuck. My gage is open, ie, reads past full, the inside switch does not change that between tanks, and I have the six i/o valve. This leads me to think that the switch is not working. I do not know the wire colors, so if anyone can help, that would be appreciated.

Drive the C20 on the first real long trip to Olympia, over White pass. Truck was a gem, never missed a beat. Picked up a canopy. A few things I need to fix, Fuel gage for both tanks registers open (past full), Radiator has a small leak, pulled it today and will take it to a local shop I have been doing business all my life. Oil pressure sender seems bad intermate, so will replace it. The fuel tank 6 port switching valve is not switching, but that may be the switch. I can find NO wire diagram for this setup. Finally, in my opinion, when Chevy came our with this truck, speed limit was 55, (some will remember that,) and this motor is good there, but if you want to drive 75 or 80, she will not last long. I think I will install a gear Vender overdrive, this will make this a true highway land cruiser. Kinda like a Buick Wildcat with 2:73, remember them? That is the best option, auto over, splitting gears if you want. Could change rear end gears, much cheaper, and will check into it. Lastly have a couple 4L80e and could swap and use a stand alone controller. I also have a 700R4, new rebuilt with the corvette servo and etc, but don't know if it would last. Pic of the canopy, doesn't fit quite right, have some ideas....Oh yeah, the horn does not work.