The 2000 Diesel Page Rendezvous
The 2nd annual Diesel Page Rendezvous could best be described as a series of highlights and surprises! The entertaining and informing speakers presented a series of "glued to your seat" seminars, the Duramax Diesel Power Tour showed us all that we really are just kids at heart, the Diesel Page advertisers were very generous again this year for the prize drawings, and the scenic trail ride provided for some great photo opportunities. Best of all, we were able to get re-acquainted with old friends and make many new ones.
More than 40 members from around the US and Canada converged on Stevensville, Montana July 1-4 for the 2nd annual 2000 Diesel Page Rendezvous. All totaled, there were 20 travel trailers, 5th wheels and campers, and a people total of well over 100. Even more interested diesel drivers came to see the Power Tour. Three members drove from as far away as sunny Florida, and several others came from the east cost of the US. Members from Alberta and British Columbia Canada also attended.
There is nothing quite like the sound of a couple dozen GM diesels idling into the parking area. I was impressed with the fact that more than 40 6.2/6.5 diesels came from all across North America (some pulling huge trailers), and not one experienced a single diesel related problem coming or going. This group of GM diesel owners are enthusiasts, as evidenced by the many spotless engine compartments and "tricked-out" accessory installations. Nearly every aftermarket 6.2/6.5 product known to exist could be found on someone's truck or Suburban.
The arrival of the Power Tour was an unexpected, but greatly appreciated and enjoyable part of the Rendezvous. As the Power Tour was pulling into the drive, someone remarked that a truck load of naked women could drive by, and no one would even notice. It was several hours before most people's interest had diminished. C.J & Ged (Tour operators) were great, and they were able to give us more information on the truck and powertrain performance. We were also treated to all the new 2001 HD brochures and a few Power Tour t-shirts.
There were a few attending trucks that stood out from the others. Martin Quandel's 1982 6.2L GMC K1500 has been tweaked, tuned, modified and customized till it's just the way they like it. Martin fabricated a number of custom additions including the hand-built front bumper, dual exhaust stacks and intake air snorkel. You can bet that Martin gets the attention he was looking for wherever he goes. Martin drove here from Henderson, Nevada. Cool truck!!
Nearly $3,000 in free prizes were donated this year by our generous advertising sponsors and Diesel Page supporters. Not shown in this photograph is a new DS4 injection pump donated by Peninsular Diesel and a complete water/alcohol injection system donated by Bill Heath of Performance Diesel. Everyone was a winner. Those who weren't selected by their fellow members in the following categories received free products in a random drawing.
- $500 gift certificate from The Diesel Depot:
Best work in progress 6.2 or 6.5 - Martin Quandel - Gear Drive starter from Gomer's Diesel:
1993 and earlier highest mileage 6.2/6.5 - Pat Johnson - 1985-93 Glow Controller & wiring harness from The Diesel Depot:
1993 or earlier 6.2/6.5, lowest mileage - Jack Roberts - 6.5TD mandrel crossover supplied by The Diesel Page
Most modified 6.5 without one. - Bob Bucknew - New DS4-5521 electronic fuel injection pump from Peninsular Diesel:
1994 or newer highest mileage - Roger Paxton - Light Booster headlight wiring kit from Kennedy Trailers:
1992 or newer - Dennis Bradford - J-model 6.2L intake manifold from The Diesel Depot:
Longest distance towing with a 6.2. - Terry Pittman - Complete wash and detail kit from The Diesel Page:
Longest distance not towing with a 6.2. - Lee Swanger - Amsoil Synthetic oil change from Amsoil dealer Greg Landuyt:
Longest distance towing with a 6.5. - Jim Glus - Amsoil Synthetic oil change from Amsoil dealer Greg Landuyt:
Longest distance not towing with a 6.5. - Phil Garrity - AC-60G glow plugs from B/K Farms:
Best 6.2 - Brad Knight - AC-60G glow plugs from B/K Farms:
Best 6.5 - Tom McCauley - AC-60G glow plugs from B/K Farms:
Best trailer - Claude Vickers - Diesel Tech books from Dr. Lee:
Member's choice - Greg Mead & Brad Engdahl - Commercial water/alcohol injection system from Performance Diesel:
Member's choice - Ivan Belyea - 4- Duramax Diesel Power Tour t-shirts - GM Powertrain:
won by Jim Glus, Rick Meyer, Ron Wong, Bogdan Szewczuk - One each of every book published by - The Diesel Page
- Two each hats & t-shirts by - The Diesel Page
Bill's own 1995 6.5TD has been a test-bed for a variety of products, all developed by Bill. These include water/alcohol injection, propane injection, boost control, sensor modifications and custom computer programming. This particular truck (used as a race car tug) is said to have produced 1/4-mile trap speeds of 95 mph.
One of Bill's interests is in starting a new company called "Performance Diesel". Bill hopes to bring many of these products to market in the not-too-distant future, and The Diesel Page will be there covering these developments.
To get into the swing of things, Bill donated a complete water/alcohol injection system to the Rendezvous prize drawing pool. Ivan Belyea (on the right) was the lucky winner of this system, which will be installed by Bill himself.
John Kennedy of Kennedy Trailers made the trip from Wisconsin. John is perhaps one of the most enthusiastic Diesel Page advertisers about the 6.2/6.5. John himself drives a beautiful red 1996 6.5TD GMC K2500, and has devoted considerable effort to increasing performance for the electronic trucks. This picture shows John part way through a seminar covering the GM diesel performance products he has in stock.
John's knowledge of the electronic 6.5 was put to good use during an entire afternoon. I lost count of how many 1994 and newer 6.5's John looked at, but I know he used his Tech II scan tool to measure the actual and TDC Offset timing on a bunch. Some of those that were out of spec had their timing re-set by John. One member noted an increase in fuel economy of 3 mpg on the return trip home after having his injection timing set correctly. Kennedy Trailers is one Diesel Page advertiser that can answer your questions about DS4 injection timing, and offer suggestions for increasing power.
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