Going to stick a 4BT or 6BT in a Suburban - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #16 02-15-2009, 09:59 PM

What year is the Suburban?

My 1999 has 260HP and 340ftLbs torque. You will want to match those numbers or do better.

Try this forum for help:
http://www.gmtruckclub.com

This place is ALMOST as good as Shopforum.

I would leave the capability of 4WD as that is what these trucks are good for. I can't see wanting a 'Burban with only 2WD.

Actually in this thread http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5248&highlight=cummins+diesel+suburban

They say that you should not put a Cummins into a 1/2 ton. You need the boxed frame of the 2500 to handle the Diesel. As a matter of fact, I don't think the GM 6.5 was available in the C/K 1500, just in the 2500 (3/4 ton)

sixto · #17 02-15-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnowsquall

3.43 ratio, get back to you on the rest....

Argh! I can't find a 3.43 for sale around here. 3.73 must be the minimum in California.

I'd put money on it being a 10-bolt since it has 5-lug wheels. Pretty sure it has 4 leaf spring packs. Only short bed regular cabs came with 3 leaf packs, IIRC. 4 leaf packs I've seen have stubby 5th leaf to make it a 4/1.

I should find a whole 'burb like you did then take what I need. Finding parts piecemeal isn't working for me. Selling a hulk without suspension sounds difficult too, though. Hopefully backing off the leaf springs and LTX tires makes it tolerable. That's a lot or money to gamble on an uncertainly when going with the suspension you have is a factory configuration I know will work for me :/

Sixto
87 300D

badgator · #18 02-15-2009, 10:25 PM

http://www.isuzudieselswapper.com/contact.html

$680 with flex plate

badgator · #19 02-15-2009, 10:30 PM

Used one

http://pueblo.craigslist.org/pts/1013357252.html

New, not so cheap

http://www.transmissioncenter.org/cummins_4bt_and_6bt_adapter.htm

I am now in the process of installing a 617 in my jeep, I have literally search for years trying to find adapters, from now on I'll just make my own.

#20 02-15-2009, 11:53 PM

The 6.5 would be almost bolt-in. If you get a 6.5 with marine parts it can put out around 300hp.

The 6BT will be heavy but you'll get all the power you could ever want.

The 4BT would get great economy but it might be a little slow/revv-happy on the highway.

Personally, since I don't have a bunch of kids to haul around, I'd look for a 1999 2-door Chevy Tahoe / GMC Yukon that already has the 6.5L diesel.

captainmonk · #21 02-16-2009, 12:11 AM

if you put a 6.5 in that suburban
there is a greart site for parts
SS Diesel I have eveything on my truck
from marine injectors long life glow plugs and
a cool 4 inch stainless exhaust

asnowsquall · #22 02-16-2009, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

What year is the Suburban?

My 1999 has 260HP and 340ftLbs torque. You will want to match those numbers or do better.

Try this forum for help:
http://www.gmtruckclub.com

This place is ALMOST as good as Shopforum.

I would leave the capability of 4WD as that is what these trucks are good for. I can't see wanting a 'Burban with only 2WD.

Actually in this thread http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5248&highlight=cummins+diesel+suburban

They say that you should not put a Cummins into a 1/2 ton. You need the boxed frame of the 2500 to handle the Diesel. As a matter of fact, I don't think the GM 6.5 was available in the C/K 1500, just in the 2500 (3/4 ton)

Current burb isn't a 4x4 and is a 1993
My 1996 6.5 was 4x4 and a 1500 which is rare, but it also had 8 lug axles.
I wouldn't go through the work of putting a 6.5 in this rig when the factory did it. It wants a Cummins inline engine. I'd thought of putting a DT-360 like the one in my bus (also a 5.9) but I like that there is so many Cummins info, and parts around. I really like the idea of the 4BT but we will see.

JimFreeh · #23 02-16-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coonerboy

Dodge put the 6bt in 3/4 and one ton trucks only. GM was the only one to offer a diesel in a half ton truck/SUV.

Dodge also used 1 ton axles in the 3/4 T Cummins application.
Put the 6BT in a 1/2 T and she'll be kneeling like an arab prayin' to Mecca.

Jim

89 Dodge-Cummins 3/4 T 4WD
96 Chevy Suburban 1/2 T 4WD

and other non MBs

t walgamuth · #24 02-16-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

The 6.5 would be almost bolt-in. If you get a 6.5 with marine parts it can put out around 300hp.

The 6BT will be heavy but you'll get all the power you could ever want.

The 4BT would get great economy but it might be a little slow/revv-happy on the highway.

Personally, since I don't have a bunch of kids to haul around, I'd look for a 1999 2-door Chevy Tahoe / GMC Yukon that already has the 6.5L diesel.

They are very very rare. Folks who have them seldom sell before they are well knackered.

LUVMBDiesels · #25 02-16-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnowsquall

Current burb isn't a 4x4 and is a 1993
My 1996 6.5 was 4x4 and a 1500 which is rare, but it also had 8 lug axles.
I wouldn't go through the work of putting a 6.5 in this rig when the factory did it. It wants a Cummins inline engine. I'd thought of putting a DT-360 like the one in my bus (also a 5.9) but I like that there is so many Cummins info, and parts around. I really like the idea of the 4BT but we will see.

Well if the Burb came 2wd, then I guess that is what you are going to use

I just never understood anybody buying a 2WD from the factory.

Did your '96 come with the fully boxed frame? Having the 8 lugs makes me think it had the 3/4 ton chassis under it. I had never heard of them putting the 6.5 in the 1500 series, but I guess they did it...
I still wonder about the Cummins engine's weight, but I guess if you box the front frame and put in a heavy duty front suspension it would work. I would leave the front independent if it is 2WD.

Keep us posted...

t walgamuth · #26 02-16-2009, 09:34 AM

I never had any use for 4wd. Extra weight, extra stuff to maintain, less fuel economy, harder to get in and out of an already tall vehicle. Extra cost to buy.

A burb has excellent weight distribution so with posi it will go through lots and lots of snow with no fuss.

I have driven through near blizzard conditions towing a trailer more than once with my burbs. I once drove over the alleganies towing an empty car trailer under conditions so bad at one point we had to drive around a stranded semi which was in the middle of the two driving lanes on the interstate. I was on my way to virginia beach to pick up a 240d.

diametricalbenz · #27 02-16-2009, 09:34 AM

A 4BT would seem more reasonable given the chassis although I doubt you would get high 20mpg's with a 4BT and a 5 speed. That is still a lot of weight and a lot of aerodynamic drag. With the base 110hp and even if boosted to 200hp it's going to be slow. If it is around town I could see it being adequate.

Bajaman · #28 02-16-2009, 09:53 AM

I have similar aspirations. I need a kid hauler in a big way, and the wagon is getting cramped. We can't go on long trips because there is no room for luggage. My wife really wants a minivan. I told her I'll buy the first diesel minivan I see, hopefully that won't be for a long time.
I believe the 1500 6.5TD was actually a 2500, with some small differences. (numerically lower rear end)
My dream is to put either a 4 or 6BT into one of these:
http://isaac.healdsburg.net/travelall/images/IMGP3278.JPG

asnowsquall · #29 02-16-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimfreeh

put the 6bt in a 1/2 t and she'll be kneeling like an arab prayin' to mecca.

Jim

89 dodge-cummins 3/4 t 4wd
96 chevy suburban 1/2 t 4wd

and other non mbs

lol :d

asnowsquall · #30 02-16-2009, 11:16 AM

My last Sub, guess it was a 97. I didn't purchase the wheels, nice on the highway but couldn't get the vibration out. 4x4 is great but it is extra cost. Studded Hakkapelita's will work great on a 2x4. The truck I looked at yesterday (6BT, 5 speed Getrag) with the 112K motor and 5 speed is $1,000 for just the drivetrain which is a Recession Bargain (RB). hhhmmm.