I've been looking for sometime to determine how much of a pain it would be to take my fairly late model 2004 GMC 2500HD truck with a 6.0 gas and convert to a diesel. I was thinking the Duramax is the way to go but it seems like the cost could get pretty high but perhaps it might be the easiest with the PPE wiring harness that you can but etc. Any thoughts on using a cummings engine instead? Thanks for any suggestions and feedback, main reason I am considering the switch is I will be doing some long distance driving and using the 6.0 gas is no way to go plus I can't sell my truck for much these days.

 

It would be cheaper/easier to trade in your truck on something you want.

 

i am not trying steal anything from you my question is almost the same and would be pulling a 6.2 out of a 1984 crew cab 4-4 3500 series maybe get our question answered but in this situation would be going cummins

 

I have a 2005 Chevy Silvarado with the 6.0 gas and have the same question as "xhaus11". I do travel all over and pull a 36 foot 16,000lb 5th wheel. I get 11mpg's light and 7mpg's towing. I think spending 10 grand on a diesel engine swap verses 25-30 grand on a newer truck would be the better way to go. Am I wrong with this thought? Anyone have any prices on what it would cost?

 

I would swap in a cummins personally, but thats just me.
05 HD2500 Cummins swap - Diesel Place

 

thx for the suggestion I read your thread and it does sound like best bang for the buck, I was just pricing out my truck which is in excellent shape and I would just have a hard time accepting the price that I would be given and plus I would have to come up with another 15k or 30k for a new truck. Biggest mistake was obviously not buying a diesel in the first place, huge mistake. I will have to keep my eye out for a cummings any model or year of engine that you would recommend? I think you mentioned you have one currently available as well? Any idea on mpg without towing are?

 

I like 3rd gen 24 valves, but you can make really cheap power with the second gen 12 valves. I have 1-24 valve and 1-1st gen 12 valve. You should expect 21-22 mpg driving moderately.

 

would you say there are any advantages in terms of mpg with either engine? Also, transmission wise suggestions, I assume there is no option to use the existing one with the 6.0 gas engine. Also, have you had to make any accomidations suspension wise with the truck after swaping out for a diesel. What is the pricing by the way on each engine.

Thanks for the help.

 

Your truck has a 4l80E, wich is a strong transmission. If you plan on using it for a driver, it should work fine. I replace the torsion bar cross-member with and install 1-ton torsion bars. Out of those two engines, I would expect that you would get the best mileage from the 24 valve. I am asking $1500 for the first gen and $2500 for the 24 valve.

 

hey screaminseema what about the 84 3500 model with the 6.2 and the 400 trans how would that workout