Interested in converting my 87 dakota

[rocktumbler]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I'm finding a lot of interesting ideas. My buddy got me thinking about converting my truck from 3.9v6 gas to a diesel. He has an 88 ranger which he is planning on converting. H bought an offroad forklift with a 4 cyl diesel motor that needed woek. While researching to rebuild this motor he found a 4 cyl diesel industrial motor that is rated at 100hp. He's in the process of swapping the 100hp motor into his ranger now. What diesel motor can I be looking for to do a similar swap. I found a new isuzu forklift motor, but it's only about 40 hp. My gas from the factory is only rated at 100hp. So I would like to know what diesels would be a decent comparison to use. I'm not sure what brand motor he found, but he bought it from a farmer that said it was too much for whatr he needed.
I like the better torque pulling as you drive a diesel, and I want better MPG. Do forklift motors make good light duty driver motors? Can you increase the hp on these smaller diesels?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. I'm also interested in learning the ins and outs of the factory chevy 6.2 diesel suburbans. What mileage you actually get. I love suburbans, but the 2 gas one I've had were 10mpg at best. any links for this subjext is apopreciated as well.

Kevin

[spdgofast]

I know someone who put a 6 CYL 5.9 450 HP CUMMINS in a mid 90s Dakota.

[Edahall]

I get 30 mpg out of my 1982 6.2 diesel Suburban at a steady 55 mph. However, the engine is geared towards fuel economy rather than power such as having the older heads with small precombustion chambers, 3.08 gears and 700r4 overdrive transmission. The Suburban is also the most stripped down model with no A/C so it's lighter weight that most. However, it doesn't get as good fuel economy towing a large load like my other Suburban with the Cummins probably because it has to work so hard.

[moparmtn]

I have a 3.0 1985 5 cyl Mercedes turbo diesel and new automatic trans I am thinking about having someone swap into a 2003 Dakota extended cab... would a 2.5 Merc turbo diesel be a better choice since with an aluminum head would be a little lighter. Both these engines do not have computor systems and I believe should be a good choice and put the Dakota in the mid 30 mpg range... any suggestions????

[trbankii]

I've been seeing a few people putting the Merc engines into Toyotas - both Land Cruisers as well as the pickups/4Runners. They've seemed pretty pleased with them. The OM617 5 cyl turbo-diesel seems to be the engine of choice.

[6.5 Detroit Diesel]

might want to check into a smaller cummins. the 4BT is a 3.9 and i have heard excellent feedback regarding conversions involving these little workhorses