I am going to be mighty interested in this thread, since I am going to put a Cummins 5.9 ISB in a 99 GMC sometime in the near future. The GMC currently has a 4L80E tranny and a 454 Big block. It is a 3500 HD Mega Cab with an extended frame (wrecker frame) and a 11 foot Wilco bed. The truck has been hauling my 33 foot 5th Wheeler, my 38 foot boat and my 28 foot travel trailer, with the current set-up, but only gets 7mpg when hauling and 9 empty. Hopefully the CTD will solve that, and since the engine is a 300HP that came out of a Topkick, it should be one of the SIMPLER conversions.

 

Well I may just install my 6.5 and auto in the dump truck and put the NV4500 and Cummins in the Burban. I'm still trying to find an engine right now.

 

For a project down the road I want take a 79 ford 1 ton and put a built 12v but thats way down the road.

 

hey i have a 1996 gmc sierra 1500 and i want to put a diesel in it, will it fit and wat all shuld i do to convert it to a diesel and wats the largest engine i culd put in there

 

You'll pay hell to get that front end to hold a 5.9 Cummins and that 1/2 ton frame won't be very happy. The 4bt might even be a stretch. If you converted it to a solid axle or got aftermarket front end parts that are the equivalent strength of the 3/4 GM front end you might have a shot but I think the frame still wouldn't like it very much.

GM put the 6.5 in 1/2 tons for along time. If you're looking for a diesel and don't need to make a ton of power try looking for a 6.5 to put in there. They're not as bad as their reputation makes them out to be.

 

so wat culd i do to the frame to be able to stand all that power and wat ur saying is that id have to put new front end parts on it y wuild i have to put new front end parts on it. o and wuld the 6.5 bolt up to the stock tranny i already have or wuld i have to replace that and the drive shaft and the gearing in the dif.

 

hey guys. im seriously thinking of swapping my 454 out of my 74gmc 1ton and putting a cummings 12v in. what year engine would be the best? and how much of a headache am i asking for? thanks!

 

If your looking for the easiet year CTD to put in it would be a 89-98 12V, if you didnt need any gauges or accessories, all you need is 12 volts to the starter and some fuel..the older Chevy/GMC like your '74 1 ton seem to have alot more room in the engine bay, I think it would a lot easier to do a 12V swap into an older truck than even my '95 Chebby...

 

I am looking into installing 5.9 in 87 1ton crew cab infront of turbo 400 with gearvender lil worried about 400 help

 

I think if you stay at stock hp around 180 in 5.9 you,ll be just fine with 4l80e with good shift kit, there is a stand aloan allison that adapts in nicely lil spendy, for all around 8k but told you wont be changing trany out if you deside you want lil more hp