PU Engine swap, gas to diesel?

[vargthewanderer]

My original goal was a truck about the size of an F-150 with a diesel engine. I can't seem to find this anywhere though, with the exception being the Ford currier found in Australia. I was curious as to the feasibility and practicality of simply swapping engines. I understand that things like the transmission and fuel system would have to be changed, but can it be done without rebuilding half the truck??

Thanks,
Varg

[MadTripper]

Are you still looking for a truck or did you already pick one up? I would think if you haven't, you could find a 250 that has a diesel and would be comparable to the 150. I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just get the heavier duty vehicle if you absolutely had to have the diesel. Another option would be to look for a toyota diesel. I don't know the years offhand however they are out there and it would be a smaller truck. There are ways to convert a diesel but it really isn't financially feasible with the other options available.

Tripper

Here is an example of the toyota:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-Hilux-Rare-1987-Toyota-4x4-Xtra-Cab-Turbo-Diesel-2L-T_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6059QQihZ020QQitemZ30 0200481089QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[turboRC]

Looking for good mpg with a fullsize truck. Buy a chevy short wheel base 1/2 ton truck. Then find a 6.5 diesel GM 3/4 or 1 ton with a 5 speed tranny. Put the engine trans in the half-ton. Buy front spings for the 454 engine version. Then get the highest gear you can find for your rearend. Then you'll have a 35mpg diesel 1/2 ton truck. Cut your diesel fuel with 1 part burnt motor oil and 1 part diesel. Then you'll be ready to beat the system.

[DM]

Looking for good mpg with a fullsize truck. Buy a chevy short wheel base 1/2 ton truck. Then find a 6.5 diesel GM 3/4 or 1 ton with a 5 speed tranny. Put the engine trans in the half-ton. Buy front spings for the 454 engine version. *Then get the highest gear you can find for your rearend. Then you'll have a 35mpg diesel 1/2 ton truck. Cut your diesel fuel with 1 part burnt motor oil and 1 part diesel. Then you'll be ready to beat the system.

I think i'd look for a good 6.2L, as some of the 6.5's weren't so good... Especially after they put puter controled injection pumps on them and fly by wire!!

BTW, Chevy made a lot of 1/2 ton pu's with 6.2L diesels in them, (starting in 1982) and they were pretty good if treated right...

DM

[turboRC]

DM I have a 92 or 93 3/4 chevy with a turbo 6.5. It runs good but do I need to put a new balancer on it at 200,000? I heard the crank will break if you don't? Cowboys didn't buy the 6.5 but look at all them rollbacks HD's with'em.

[msta999]

Around here, I talked to a guy who put a diesel engine from a boat in his older F150. I also work with a guy who use to put 453 series detroit engines in F250 and F350s. Dang thing would get about 30 mpg pulling, so one of the truck owners told me. I got a chance to look at one of these trucks in WY, while attending Wyo Tech in 1983. It was a pretty cool setup. Didn't even have a turbo, just the blower that is part of the engine.

[msta999]

Came across this while surfing, never heard of it before:

http://automotivesolutionsraleigh.com/4B-Conversion.html

[vargthewanderer]

Yeah, I'v heard some bad things about the 6.5. The 453 sounds interesting though, I'm going to have to look more into it. I'm planning on starting this project once I get back to the states.

By the way, would I have to change out the fuel lines and tank when I switch, or will diesel run through gas lines?