Possible Diesel Combo In 1500

[GAsilver5.3]

I am going to be trying to put a 6spd (Allison if possible)of some sort into my 00' 1500 some time here in the next 6 mo to a year... some day my engine is going to wear out and I am most certainly replacing it with a diesel. Since my truck is light duty and will never see above say 8,000lbs... I am looking to put in something small. Maybe find a wrecked Liberty CRD and yank out it's 2.8L motor. Do any of you know if a swap like this would be possible??? I ride mostly around 60,000 mi a year on the hwy so I figure a smaller engine idling down the hwy with the same amount of torque as I have now... coupled with a tough 6spd would be awesome!!! omg I love my truck!!!

[GCncsuHD]

that 2.8 would have a hard time moving your heavy truck, and all its complicated electronics would be a BIG issue, true it does have 295 ft*lbs of torque, but its not at a very usable part of the curve for your heavy truck, and hp is on the low side, not to mention they dont really get that fantastic of mileage even in the lighter jeeps

your best bet is to find an old delivery van with a 3.9 4BT cummins, it is exactly the same as a 5.9 12V cummins, with the front 2 cylinders off, they have decent power, easily upgradeable with many of the same components as the 5.9 12V, and is completely mechanical, you have hardly any wiring to do, also it comes attached to the TH400, so hooking it to another GM trans would not be too difficult, hardest part would be motor mounts

allison 6speed would take a bit of wiring for all its computer controls, although it is a good thing it has a stand alone tcm, also not sure how it would mate up to whatever engine you choose, although adapters can always be made

[GAsilver5.3]

Hmmm. That sounds like some wonderful information. I can't imagine how hard this is going to be... but it will be worth it in the end so long as I take my time and it is reasonably reliable... So the 3.9 4bt Has a lot lower torque curve? I am not really interesting in anything with a lot of HP though. So long as it has some get up and go. I know that the Liberty I drove one day was pretty fast and was stock. Liberties also weigh nearly as much as our trucks and get 29mpg on a 4wd with 5spd. So... in theory if it were set up for mileage stuff it would be awesome. I am sure that it has a nightmare of electronics though. So I'll definitely have to look into these two engines. Thankyou! Does anyone else have comments or ideas???

[justy]

4bt in 93 suburban 30 mpg+ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV903Ai7Uhg Depending on what transmission you use you might want to get a different torque converter being the engine rpms range is different then a gas engine range. I think the guy with the suburban said 2000 rpm. But not sure on that.

[AyerForce]

Where can you find these 4bt's. I want to do a small diesel build some time in the future. What did they come in from the factory, where would I be most likely to find one?

[oldred95]

I would steer WAY away from the 2.8 liter diesel in the Liberty. Mercedes makes it. Everything Mercedes is overpriced, hard to get, and harder to work on. Not near enough power anyway.



The 4BT modded would be a decent engine. They are found in a lot of the box delivery vans like Wonder Bread, Frito Lay, the older ones like that. Maybe even old UPS vans? Its a 5.9 cummins with two cylinders lopped off. They even sound very similar to the 5.9 cummins.

[GCncsuHD]

Originally Posted by oldred95

I would steer WAY away from the 2.8 liter diesel in the Liberty. Mercedes makes it. Everything Mercedes is overpriced, hard to get, and harder to work on. Not near enough power anyway.



The 4BT modded would be a decent engine. They are found in a lot of the box delivery vans like Wonder Bread, Frito Lay, the older ones like that. Maybe even old UPS vans? Its a 5.9 cummins with two cylinders lopped off. They even sound very similar to the 5.9 cummins.

most commonly frito lay, most every chevy P30 they ordered were 4BTs, alot of the other ones sold were just 305s or 350s, although every now and then you come across other ones with the 4BT

[justy]

I also used to find 4bt on ebay. Although I don't know if thats such a good place to get one. Then you got shipping and all that stuff. I would say a old truck in the junk yard. Those 4bt's were a good tough engine. The body of the truck would go to heck before the engine did. Might even come across one that was in a accident.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cummi...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CUMMI...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CUMMI...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CUMMINS-4BT-...QQcmdZViewItem

[dozerboy]

I agree with the 4BT, but the Ally isn't want you want find a good manual that will bolt up. The 6 speeds don't do much better on fuel weigh a ton and are HD trans not something you out behind a commuter with a small diesel engine.

[MoJoe]

Originally Posted by oldred95

I would steer WAY away from the 2.8 liter diesel in the Liberty. Mercedes makes it. Everything Mercedes is overpriced, hard to get, and harder to work on. Not near enough power anyway.

To get off of topic for a second, VM Motori produced the 2.8L CRD for the Liberty. Not saying since DC has a 49% ownership that Mercedes doesn't have a hand in the cookie jar, not sure, but it is not a Mercedes engine.

Now for the swap info, also consider the following:

Of course the Cummins is one of the best "swap-in" engines you can get but below are a couple of possible candidates. I hear the 4BT has some vibration/balance issues out the box, so that is something to think about.

International/Navistar 4.5L V-6 (would not be my first choice)

MWM (Sub of International) 3.9L or 4.2L

And I believe Isuzu produces a few possible candidates as well, but not completely sure.

Good luck, and do a TON of research.

[daved931]

FWIW, an Allison won't fit in a NBS 1500 without a body lift.

It seems like overkill to attach that monster trans to a little diesel. If you're dead set on a diesel, why not wait a year until the new baby D-Max comes out and some idiot wrecks his? Then you can just pick it up at the salvage yard.

Failing that, I like the idea of a small Cummins, they seem very popular for diesel swaps. Mods are cheap and plentiful. I have seen some people opt for some of the older, smaller Detroits (4-53) too. If you go with the Detroit you're still sort of "keeping it all in the family" as it were.

[DarkCharisma]

Wait for the d-max baby diesel, that sucker's gonna ROCK!

[JAB]

I have worked with many Cummins 4BT's in marine applications and I can tell you from experiance that they will vibrate the fillings out of you're teeth at idle. Other than that they are a great engine. IMHO.

[GAsilver5.3]

Wow guys. Thanks for all of the head's up on everything! I would prefer an auto just because it's easier off road and pulling boats up a ramp from a stand still. I have owned a few manuals and loved the mileage... just not the throw-out bearing rattle and replacing the plates and city traffic.
I have heard that Isuzu is one of the most experienced diesel makers in the world. What could I get a good Isuzu diesel out of that has Low low bottom end torque, reliability, cheap, and easy swap?
I would wait for a wrecked baby d-max...(still might); but with all of the comp. tech. in it wouldn't that be a hard swap? What kind of fuel economy is that thing supposed to offer anyway with the trans they are throwing in behind it?
All I am looking for is around 150hp(all I really need) and 300-400ft/lbs (about what I have now) in an engine with about half of the displacement(3L or less). Then take that engine and set gearing(6spd)appropriately.
What are some good sturdy 6spds available??? Manual or Auto

[justy]

Someday down the road. I'm going to find a old CJ jeep and a 4bt and stick it in there. I think that would be a fun rig to play in the mud with. Might be good for trails too. Unless I find a little jeep with a diesel in it. But that would be something different for me to mess with.

[daved931]

Originally Posted by GAsilver5.3

I would wait for a wrecked baby d-max...(still might); but with all of the comp. tech. in it wouldn't that be a hard swap?

Swap the ECM with the engine?

[MoJoe]

Originally Posted by GAsilver5.3

I have heard that Isuzu is one of the most experienced diesel makers in the world. What could I get a good Isuzu diesel out of that has Low low bottom end torque, reliability, cheap, and easy swap?

Hey bud, these are some great reads. The Isuzu 4BD1T and 4BD2T seem very popular.

http://www.isuzudieselswapper.com/

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/archiv....php?t-20.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-...bd1t-swap.html

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414157

[LostBoy]

Originally Posted by GAsilver5.3

...I would wait for a wrecked baby d-max...(still might); but with all of the comp. tech. in it wouldn't that be a hard swap?...

You could always just buy the truck when it comes out - I'd think from a financial stand-point, it'd probably cost around the same money as doing the conversion. Unless you've got a special attachment to your current truck or are shooting for the wow factor of having the diesel in your 00 1/2-ton, that's how I'd go with it.

[dozerboy]

Considering GMs 4.5 will be a new engine I wouldn't want to be the test subject especially with all the new emission crap. You can bet it will take more then just the ECM to make it work. Look for a simple, dependable, and proven engine.

[thirdstreettito]

If I were you I would swap in an old 6.2L GM diesel from a military truck because it is guaranteed to have low miles and have been taken care of. Then I would get the Banks Sidewinder turbo kit. Then a custom exaust system because no one makes an exhaust system for it. The 6.2 is great for highway use but not for say, racing. Thats just my professional opinion.