Bombers!!
Looking to the feasability of converting my truck from gas to diesel. Is this worth while? Is is possible?

I have a '97 GMC K1500 with 5.7L gas engine. I'm curious if its possible to covnert this to a diesel engine, but don't know if there is an engine out there that would marry up to the hole created from the old engine.

The end game I'm looking for is increased mileage. Just better than what I am getting with the, now, 140,000 mile engine.

The truck is in great shape, and the wife has been eyeballing it for a trade-in for something ... dare I say it .... e-c-o-n-m-i-c-a-l. I have fought her off for years, but this last surge of gas prices puts in a disadvantage.

 

Welcome to the site !

The 4bt seems to be the most popular Diesel Swap

 

and it is good and small too, a kid just put one in a Ranger, so I bet you would not have too much of a problem, other than fabbing mounts...

Oh, WELCOME !!!

 

Be sure a decision come with pics!!!!

 

I'm a novice ... so I need to warn you. so slap me if I'm not getting it.
How about 6BT instead of the 4BT? Too much fuel consumption?
I would still like to haul a decent load, but cargo volume in is more important to me that cargo wieght .... woops ... I have 4x4 (probobly should've mentioned that)

Does Cummins make new 4BT or do I have to hijack a old frito lay truck?

 

a 6BT is gonna get a little better mileage then u got right now. depends what you swap in. i Assume 12 Valve but there is also 24V and Common Rail 6BT. mileage is gonna go up by engine just because of technolgy. 4BT is gonna make about the same toque as you have now with the 350. horsepower is going to be down though, i think the make 100-140 HP depending on model, but this is nothing a few Mods can fix since 4BT is basically a 12 Valve 6BT with two cylinders cut off. i know they make 4BTs for Kubota tractors that may be somewhat new but your best bet is a old delivery van.should be able to tow okay just not as much as before. hope this helps

hears a link

https://www.dieselbombers.com/diesel...tml#post196748

 

they put the 4's in the case stuff too. my neighbors got 3 of them I think you would be able to tow the same amount with one. diesel world has the ranger in it with the 4bt. think the 6 would be way too much for your front end to handle.

 

Glad I came across this sight. This is the kinda of feed back I have been looking for.

What are the big show stoppers I should be looking at before selecting and engine. I'm sure mounts can be adjusted. But what about electronics, gearing and mating the engine to the drive train?

I'm all ears..

 

I dont get what you mean by show stopper but here is a drive train. start off with 4BT. those engines come from the factory with Turbo 400s and no overdrive which wont help your Fuel mileage but will be cheaper. Try a 4L60 or 4L80 off a late model chevy 1/2 ton which have overdrive and one extra gear which will get you better fuel mileage and are built for towing.

i dont know off hand what your tranny is now and what axles you got but pretty sure if you swap in chevy tranny it will fit both axles and transfer case. if you are gonna tow and still want decent fuel mileage i would go with 3.73 gears. if towing becomes more immportant upgrade to 4.10s but your fuel mileage will suffer.

if you want a 6BT which will tow more but will get less fuel milegage you will probably have to swap that crappy IFS for a solid axle to support the weight since it weighs a lot more than the gas 350. now you mentioned Electronics in your post but the 4BT has no elecrtonics and if you put a 6BT it well be a hell of a lot easier to put in a mechanical Fuel injected 6BT then a EFI 6BT. because of this you will have to put new gauges in and

get schematics for the wiring system to unplug wires for engine and gauges and keep the ones for A/C , Heat , Radio and stuff like this.

Hope this helps

 

Woody,
Thanks for making me assess my needs in more detail. I believe my interest is best served by converting my truck into more of a utility vehicle with reasonable horsepower. I don't plan on entering any tractor pull competitions, but I need to make light hauls and get a fuel consupmtion that'll keep cost of living down. I think I'll check out what the 4BT will do for my application.

Normally I only haul a major load once every few years when I move. But I just moved aboard a boat and find that a capped truck bed is a great garage, tool storage, and way to haul around large sail bags, diesel cans, and equiment. I have to use it for daily commuting as well.

(Hmmm maybe I should just buy a delivery van and drive it to work?!! )
My self respect wouldn't let me do that!!! I like my Fire Engine Red GMC 4x4 P-up!

The Genesis of this is that I'm jealous of the wife's diesel. She got a 2000 Jetta TDI that she can get almost 50mpg on a regular basis (when she drives it) When I drive it, I run it too hard - buts its a fun little car for the close quarters combat of downtown traffic.

Bottom line on all this is that I feel a need to fully convert to diesel (car, boat, and truck) for cost and reliablility. I'll do more research on the details of a 4BT conversions, and if I make the leap - I'll be sure to update you guys. ... might need some help, too.