For the most part I agree with most of what Jim said about conversions. I don't see the reason for going to 5.9L Cummins when a good engine can be had in a drop in situation with say 6.5T. I have a 1971 Ford Bronco with a V-8 302 in it. The darn thing loves it's gas. Now I've run across a guy who dropped a 3.9L Cummins in an EB (early Bronco) and he has all the power he needs and get 28 mpg's mixed driving. With the 32 gallons of tanks I have on mine that would give me about a 900 mile range more than double what I have now. I think a 6.5TD would be a tight fit in the old EB but I think a 3.9 would tuck in very nice from the photo's I have seen. In fact I have located a 3.9L enionge and 5 speed OD tranny 3 hours away. I'm thinking real hard about it.
95, 6.5, C-2500 extended cab shortbox, Auto transmixer 3.42 diff, Jardine exhaust system
FSD Cooler replaced w/ Heath PMD Isolator
Heath Turbo-Master Boost Controller, Max E Tork chip '97 cooling upgrades, Kennedy Fan clutch,
Glow Plug over ride,DeeZee 38.5 gallon Aux fuel Tank 225K miles and rolling
1994, 6.5 Blazer, 3:42 diff, 4 inch exhaust, Heath PMD Isolator, Heath Turbo-Master Boost Controller Max E Tork, Heath SB intake filter system.
221K miles and rolling.
Diesel Page member #81
Actually, the following quote, found on the site's home page, is TDP's mission statement:
The Diesel Page is a membership based web magazine and enthusiast group, which has focused on the General Motors light-truck 6.2L, 6.5L and the Duramax 6600 diesel engines since 1996. We'll help you maintain and repair your 6.2, 6.5 or Duramax diesel engine, find solutions for diesel fuel injection problems, increase performance, locate the best and least expensive parts sources, repair and upgrade the Chevrolet and GMC light-duty trucks, and we'll help improve your satisfaction in owning a General Motors 6.2L - 6.5L - 6.6L diesel powered light-truck.
Pulling a 6.5 from a GM vehicle to install a non GM diesel engine doesn't fit the mission.....
. . .repair and upgrade the Chevrolet and GMC light-duty trucks
Some might interpret a swap as an upgrade.
Between the D-max and a Cummins, what are the realistic, usable power capabilites? Not for racing, but pulling loads easily and efficiently. I have seen 800hp injectors for the Cummins, but that does not mean it should be done. If the choice for a swap is a crate d-max and a crate 6BT, why (other than GM product) would someone choose one over the other? I have seen that some maintenance parts for the Cummins are quite expensive, but injectors seem to be an issue with the d-max. I am not preparing to do any swap of any time right now, just curious.
Incedently, it was asked if someone wanted a cummins, why not buy a Dodge. I like my Suburban, Dodge does not make one.
Q: What about stuffing a 6.5 into a non-GM vehicle?
If it promotes the 6.5 or GM diesel ownership in general.. You've got my vote!
One of our members in Australia has made a living equipping Ford trucks with the 6.2 then the 6.5 diesel when it became available. Toyota Land Cruisers, Land Rovers and many other types of vehicles around the world are running the 6.5.
Put yourself in the shoes of someone new who comes to this web site for the first time, looking for help with his/her 6.5 or perhaps just wanting to learn more about the engine and related maintenance. How might they react to lots of BB talk and published articles about pulling the 6.5 to install a Cummins? How would promoting the Cummins as a replacement affect their 6.5 ownership.
As you'll read in the Rendezvous coverage in a few days, about 60% of the vehicles attending were 6.2/6.5. I know at least one of them had over 200,000 miles. One attending member owns both a 6.5 and a Duramax. He drove his 1992 6.5 from northern Alberta to attend. Many of these guys are true 6.5 enthusiasts. If ronniejoe attends the Pull-Off next week, we could see a new level of performance for the 6.5.
JTodd, Useable power... The 90's GMT-400 3500 series dually trucks were rated for up to 8500-lbs max towing capacity or about 17,000-lbs GCVW. A 400 RW horsepower Duramax won't break a sweat or lose any speed on any hill with that power and load. Want more? I've heard of Duramax's generating more than 900 RW. Once the aftermarket somewhat caught up to the Duramax potential, no Dodge has come close to running with the Duramax at our Pull-Off for the past 4 years.
Jim
PS - If anyone wants to discuss Cummins conversions, the "General Diesel" forum is there for you to do that.
The 90's GMT-400 3500 series dually trucks were rated for up to 8500-lbs max towing capacity or about 17,000-lbs GCVW. A 400 RW horsepower Duramax won't break a sweat or lose any speed on any hill with that power and load. Want more? I've heard of Duramax's generating more than 900 RW.
That is the kind of information I was looking for. Thank you. I did not want to get anyone bent out of shape, just looking for information.
I have been wondering if you buy a Wrecked or Salvage complete DMAX truck. Would having all the wires and computor box make it an easy swap into a 90's CK pickup???? MP just said it is complicated. That was my fear.
Sorry; I just don't think I could shoehorn a 6.5TD in my old Bronco, and I thinkthe 6.5 would be much more Engine than the litttle EB would need. In reality the MOST COST EFFECTIVE thing is simply to keep the 302 and hose it full of GASOLINE when needed as I drive it so little, it's mostly a Ranch vehical and bit of Hunting. I have only got it stuck once real good and that was 300 yards from the house, I almost got my tractor stuck retrieving it!!!!
95, 6.5, C-2500 extended cab shortbox, Auto transmixer 3.42 diff, Jardine exhaust system
FSD Cooler replaced w/ Heath PMD Isolator
Heath Turbo-Master Boost Controller, Max E Tork chip '97 cooling upgrades, Kennedy Fan clutch,
Glow Plug over ride,DeeZee 38.5 gallon Aux fuel Tank 225K miles and rolling
1994, 6.5 Blazer, 3:42 diff, 4 inch exhaust, Heath PMD Isolator, Heath Turbo-Master Boost Controller Max E Tork, Heath SB intake filter system.
221K miles and rolling.
Diesel Page member #81
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Originally Posted by More Power
I just don't think I could shoehorn a 6.5TD in my old Bronco, and I thinkthe 6.5 would be much more Engine than the litttle EB would need. In reality the MOST COST EFFECTIVE thing is simply to keep the 302 and hose it full of GASOLINE when needed as I drive it so little, it's mostly a Ranch vehical and bit of Hunting. I have only got it stuck once real good and that was 300 yards from the house, I almost got my tractor stuck retrieving it!!!!
