Well here within the next 5 years i want to put a 12 valve into my 98 chevy 1500. I know I'll need a straight axle and im gonna lift it. But what else will i need? I'm wantin a manual tranny i'd like a 6 speed but would it bolt up to a 12 valve? I do not really want a body lift at all, but i heard its hard to fit with out one. What all am i gonna need?

Thanks

 

Im a realist, not trying to be mean spirited. you have a 1/2ton 2wd leaf hauler. if you really want to keep and use this truck go with the 4bt. the 6bt is heavier than a big block chevy. the truck is not right for it. the 4bt will get you 30mpg, and fits in there sweet. if you are waiting 5yrs, save the money and get a real truck to really appreciate the 6bt cummins. just to clarify I have been around many swaps over 10yrs. everything from ford to hummers and alot of others.

 

4bt's are heavier then BBC's too but not as heavy as a 6bt. I would suggest 4bt because half ton trucks with little 4 cylinder diesel's kick ***. You can get enough power out of the 4bt to fit the application. But whatever you decide to do, 4bt or 6bt for a transmission you can't beat the NV4500. It's a bolt up for both engines and with the chevy NV4500 rear shaft you can connect a chevy transfer case and utilize your stock Tach.

 

did a swap on a small block chevy, 3/4 ton 2wd. I will have to find the papers on it. it was close to the small block we took out. bbc are about 250lbs heavier yet. with ac and all I thought it sat higher in the front than before. not measuered just subjective looking. the 4bt was out of a bread delivery truck. totally stock its been getting 28-30mpg. Im thinking of putting one in my 95 fullsize blazer. I agree the nv4500 is a great tranny chevy or dodge.

 

a 98 1/2 ton with a 6bt is just asking for problem after problem. my swap cost me about 20 grand all said and done and a 1/2 ton wouldve been ten times harder. if your going to do it go get a new truck that is at least a 3/4 ton to do it with. your 1/2 ton frame wont hold the power or the weight. as for the body lift, if your creative and can work sheetmetal, you dont need one. but it does make it alot easier. nv4500 is a good transmission as long as you take care of its problems. but a 6 speed nv5600 will also bolt up to a 94 and newer engine.

another problem your going to have with the truck being a 98 is your going to have a headache getting is swapped out for a diesel through dmv. and they probably wont let you put in an engine that is older than a 98 engine either. and on top of that, hey probably wont let you put a medium duty engine (6bt) in a light duty truck. most of the state laws will only allow a light duty diesel (4bt) into a light duty pickup.

that 6bt will tear apart your frame, running gear, and everything around it. its just too much power and weight for that light of a pickup.

my opinion (coming from someone who has been down the same road as you and had to learn the hard way after not listening to everyone else) is to just spend the money and buy a cummins pickup (i couldve bought a new body style bitchin cummins 4x4 with how much ive spent on mine) or if your 100% into doing the swap, buy a 97 or older 3/4ton or 1 ton pickup. itll save you thousands of hours of headaches and thousands of dollars all said and done. plus you wont have to smog it with this new 50 state diesel emissions thing starting to go into effect