Tractor Engine Powers Pickup

Tractor engine powers pickup PICKUPS Modifications 10-4-7 Virginia farmers, Kenneth Hooley and sons Daniel, Mervin and Eldon, wanted a diesel pickup. Instead of purchasing one they converted a gas-engine 1979 GMC pickup into a 4-speed diesel using a Deere 2440 tractor engine for power: "The tractor engine has more than 60 hp. We had to put in new motor mounts and another transmission. The pickup's existing automatic transmission wouldn't work with the engine so we put in a 4-speed GMC transmission bought from a salvage yard. We still had to custom make the bell housing," says Daniel. The revamped truck has good power and works well at low speeds around the farm. It also runs with ease at highway speeds. Gets fuel mileage of 20 mpg around the farm and 28 to 30 mpg on trips. The Hooleys added an electric shut-off switch, electric fan and vacuum pump for power brakes to the truck. They also added a battery for additional cranking power. Since the original transmission was an automatic, they had to add a clutch assembly. Daniel notes that total cost for the truck, transmission, engine and miscellaneous parts was under $4,500.

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