I have a 2002 GMC sierra 1500 extended cab 4x4 I am starting to consider swapping the 5.3L for some sort of diesel for MPG and also for extra towing power, etc. my problem is I have no idea of it is possible, what it would cost, and what diesels would be good candidates. Depending on some factors it may not happen but it is something I would do if its possible
Thanks for help

 

Best bet would be a 4bt cummins 3.9liter bout the only decent easy finding diesel that is light enough for your half ton. Still expect to spend $8-10,000 during conversion

 

Thanks. What kind of power do these engines put out?

 

Roughly 120hp and high 300ft lbs. They are capable of up to 30mpg easy. Leight can take abuse plentiful and you can modd them fairly cheap to put out the power of a 5.9 cummins. Performance cam turn up injectiin pump injectors intake exhaust etc.

 

Awesome! 30 mpgs is great compared to the 12 I get now. It will be a little while until I can do this but it is a project I could take on. Thanks!

 

Although I'm a huge fan of projects, any reason why you wouldn't take that 8-10k mentioned and just buy another truck?
I feel like it would be a lot of work and money into a 1/2 ton.
On the other hand, I've also been in the jeep world forever and seen people put 15k out on lifts and such on a rig they drive twice a year just because they are bored.
Haha which ever way I'm gonna keep checkin this to see which way it goes! Good luck!

 

While I agree that the cummins is the only decent diesel engine

you do realize that a duracrap only weights 50lbs more than a 4BT right?

4BTs are not light...they are essentially a 6BT with two cylinders chopped off...still a full iron/steel motor that is just as tall as the 6BT.


then again you could get more creative and put a detroit in there!

Detroit 4-53T fits nicely, or for a little tighter fit (but still fits!) a Detroit 6v53T.

both some badass sounding 2 stroke diesels

 

453s are weigh more than a 6bt this is a half ton guy in video had a 1500hd(3/4) ton 4 bt is perfect candidate and will match up with transmission bc they were mated to gm transmissioms in bread trucks.

 

meh, 3/4 ton or 1 ton springs in the front will fix that

It's just ideas.

Hell if my dodge ever dies, the ISB is coming out of it and going in my 87 S10

it's been done before! it'll fit with a cowl hood and notching the firewall a bit