How to convert my 2000 gmc sierra 1500, to a 12 valve cummins
 

Hey everyone, i am new to this site. i am a previous diesel owner. i had a 1995 chevy 6.5 that i loved. I bought a 2000 gmc sierra 4x4 ext cab for 1700 bucks, i bought it with 200k on it and i have done alot of mods to it, its lifted 5.5 inches, and had 35s, but the motor and trans are junk. So for my college senior year project i want to convert it to a 12 valve cummins. i was wondering what i need and how hard it would be to complete. i want to maintain a stock look on the inside of the truck, the push button 4x4 engage stuff, same linkage for the trans. I was thinkin about using a built up 4l80e. with some king of plate to mount them together. so any feed back would be appreciated. thanks :)

Its been done before, Ive seen a Cummins in a half ton chevy before. But since its not a very common swap, and a newer truck, it will be a little tougher than one like mine. First, you would have to find an adapter plate for your tranny to the cummins. Also, you will have to either fab up engine mounts or have someone make them for you. Also to use an electronic auto tranny (thats not from a Dodge) you will have to have a stand alone controller.

Honestly, if you have a limited budget, I think keeping the Chevy auto is going to be pretty expensive. Other than all of that, probably some front end work, then getting power steering, AC, etc hooked back up.

alright so what do you think i should use for a trans and transfer case? i wana make the truck able to handle 600ftlbs of torque and 350hp atleast. i wana make it badass and make it fairly cheap.

i think its gonna be hard but not impossible but it may be expensive i would say just throw a used 6.0 gas or a duramax if you want a little more cause then ittl atleast be gm parts.

well, i want a cummins to be an all out custom project, i want a nv4500 or nv5600 trans. but i dont know how it would work in my truck.

I personally think using the NV4500 out of a Dodge would be the cheapest and less technical route. The hardest part in that route would be switching in the pedals and master cylinder assembly from a standard tranny Chevy, and cutting the hole in your floorboard for the shifter to come through. If not that, I would use a Dodge 47RH, it should be much easier than using a Chevy auto. The 47RH is a mechanical tranny and uses line pressure to switch through gears 1-3, you would only need a way to engage overdrive and torque converter lockup.

how would i mount my transfer case and stuff like that?

Mine was 2wd so I didnt have to worry about any of that. I would think if possible, get a whole donor truck and swap engine, tranny, and transfer case all over, and then you just have to fix your driveshaft to where they work.

I will also say that i am very new to this site.... i am doing a cummins conversion in an 03 chevy 2500 that had a duramax and an allison...the gentleman I am doing it for had brought me a new ATS 47rh and a dodge t-case....the engine mounts I have for this swap are from screaming seeman, and they work very well....the problem I am running into is the with the dodge transfer case hitting the torsion bar cross member and I cannot clear it enough to adjust the torsion keys up.
My big question is ...Has anyone done, seen, or heard of someone doing this swap with an all dodge driveline ei: cummins with the 47rh and the dodge transfer case......if so please let me know asap so we can get this guys truck running!
For the gentle man wanting to do a cummins swap in your 1/2 .....it is a very fun project at times, but can get very time consuming and frustrating at times....and could be very exspensive when you really start adding numbers, engine and injection pump, fuel system, tranny controler...depending on what trany you decide to go with, and all the other little odds and ends to button up the build. The end result is a pretty badass truck though.
Again anyone who has seen, heard of, or built one of these setups please respong or text me at 317-771-9735
Thanks for all of your input....Garret Nolte at Corn Fed Diesel

Ditto. I performed mine for cheap, but I shopped around alot and did my research. If you're not careful you can rack up a big bill.