96 diesel conversion?

[blackknight1992]

im considering converting my 96 k1500 to a diesel. i want to do this because with my 6" lift and 35" tires i want more power and better gas mileage plus nothing beats the rawness of a diesel. i have never had one befor so i really have no idea where to begin. which of the engines would be best i have read all about the gm 6.2 and 6.5s and the cummings 12v and 24v and dont know what to do. whats the best fit for my application because money is a huge consideration because i cant do any of the work myself? and about how much money would i be looking at overall. thanks for any help kind of lost here.

[nick613]

If you are set on a diesel I would go with a cummins for sure. The 6.2 is a very fuel efficient engine but it doesn't have much power. If you can't do any of the work yourself you are looking at a ton of money, I'd imagine 5k atleast.

You would be a lot better off re-gearing your differentials.... Do some research on that, that is the only way to go, even if you had a diesel.

[blackknight1992]

i have looked at gears as well but cant decide what the right ratio would be 4.56 or 4.88?

[nick613]

What engine do you have in your truck, what's you current gear ratio? Most people go 4.56 with 35s, but if you don't do a lot of highway driving and you want more low end power go 4.88

[blackknight1992]

engine: 5.7
gears: 3.73
and ya 90%of my driving is around town

[dirtyhick42]

Ball park of around 10 grand to have the swap done for you. I also find it hard to believe you have done all of your research considering you want a cummings and not a cummins.

Idk where in Georgia you are but if your close enough this might be a good bet for you.
http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?55888-GAS-DIESEL-SWAP-in-FL-or-close-!!!!!-LOOK-HERE

[blackknight1992]

small typo im dyslexic

do you know if the member opening the shop florida is a member on here as well

[dirtyhick42]

I have no idea. It was just a random thread I had come across a month or so ago through some google searching.

[nick613]

Swap some 4.88s in there, you'll feel a huge increase in power. If it's not enough swap in a diesel, or maybe consider putting some money into the 350. Remember you'll want a stronger tranny and rear end if you do decide to use a diesel or even a stronger gas engine...

[kirk]

A 6.2 or 6.5 would be the easiest to swap in probably.
As for a Cummins in a 1/2 ton, Id go with a 4BT. The 6B's are great engines, but thats a whole lot of weight and a whole lot of torque for a 1/2 ton truck to handle. JMO, but I dont trust the IFS, tranny, or rear axle to handle a 6B Cummins. Id want at least a 3/4 ton truck with a FF 14 bolt rear axle for that.

Regardless, if you cant do any of the work yourself, youre probably better off just regearing (which you should do anyways). The money it would cost to buy an engine and pay to have it swapped in will buy a hell of a lot of gas. And none of the engines Id recommend swapping in a 1/2 ton have more power (at least in stock form) than your 350. They do have more torque though.