Going to stick a 4BT or 6BT in a Suburban - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vstech · #31 02-16-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bajaman

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

there are MANY nuts out there that put a 6.2 into a chevy astro... it's a tight fit, but it DOES fit.

alphadeltaromeo · #32 02-16-2009, 11:26 AM

You know Cabell too...good deal - he's a frequent on steelsoldiers.com. He did a great job on that M37.

I'm all for seeing a 6bt in that burb...my bud has a 6.5 and has done some improvements to it. He's Mangus580 on the forum...you should ask him about his computer setup, engine enhancements, etc. that he's put in his burb...done a great job!

Andy

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

I'd forget the 6 bt in that lightweight chassis... 4 bta should be able to put out about 200 HP with the pump turned up a bit but it's a pretty gnarley running engine and you might get tired of the noise and vibration. But then again, you might like that...

A friend of mine has a M37 with the 4 bt and a Ford/ZF 5 speed that's a pretty sweet running truck. I'll have to dig up the website he did for the conversion.

Maybe consider an Isuzu 4 cyl truck Diesel too.

Here's the link to the M37/Cummins conversion:

http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/

mobetta · #33 02-16-2009, 02:34 PM

I'd be all over that 6b for a grand...

I been thinkin hard about a cheep cherokee w/ a 617 for the family hauler lately...
but I do have that step van w/ a 4b p-pump, if I can find the right 3/4 T rig.

even here in MN i'd go with 2wd + good snows over 4x4 w/ mediocre tires

KarTek · #34 02-16-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadeltaromeo

You know Cabell too...good deal - he's a frequent on steelsoldiers.com. He did a great job on that M37.

Yeah, Cabell is a veritable fountain of information... You know what I mean...

asnowsquall · #35 02-16-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

I'd be all over that 6b for a grand...

6BT and 5 speed Getrag for $1000 ! What might be really cool is to get this drivetrain for $1000, find a 4BT and hook it up to the 5 speed and try it in the Suburban. If I'm happy with it then sell the 6BT. If not pull 4BT and sell it, install 6BT. Crazy talk?

OK so where was that $1000 4BT?

Here is another angle. The 6BT with the 5 speed is in a 1990 Dodge 350 which is a 1 ton. There are 2 things I fear with this chassis. 1) A truck driving front end that wanders. 2) A rough ride due to the 1 ton factor. Not sure how to hand #1, maybe it doesn't exist. And #2, how about air bags? Can you remove some rear springs and then add air bags? Would be a lot of work, but I could pull the Suburban body off and put it on the 1 ton Dodge Dually chassis.

Wonder what the ratio is on that rear end?

equipmentjunkie · #36 02-16-2009, 05:00 PM

I'd go with the 4BT in your 1500 Suburban. I have a very slow progressing 4BT swap into a '72 F250 myself. It is amazing how much performance you can get out of these B-series Cummins...and still retain decent fuel economy.

Have you been on this site? http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/index.php

asnowsquall · #37 02-16-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equipmentjunkie

I'd go with the 4BT in your 1500 Suburban. I have a very slow progressing 4BT swap into a '72 F250 myself. It is amazing how much performance you can get out of these B-series Cummins...and still retain decent fuel economy.

Have you been on this site? http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/index.php

Oh ya, I'm a forum junkie.

mobetta · #38 02-16-2009, 06:45 PM

I had a friend w/ a first gen D350 cummins- it had airbags all around.. dont recall what it rode like- a truck, I think...

any vehicle will need front end work sooner or later, but them dodges w/ cummins seem to eat them.

catmandoo62 · #39 02-16-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

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...

yes they put 6.5's in the c1500's i have one an ext cab pickup.with 5 lug wheels.the 1/2 ton sub diesels had 8 lug wheels but they have c clip axles.you had to remove the cover on the differential and remove the spider gears to get the axles out.whereas the 3/4 had full floating axles.just pull the 8 bolts on the end of the axle and pull.no need to remove the tires.the 1/2 ton burbs also could come with 3.42 gears whereas the 3/4 was limited to 3.73 and up.also on my 92 pickup it came with a belt driven vacuum pump for the emissions crap(hyd brakes and elec heater controls).but i don't see why it could not be used to run the vac brakes.

JimFreeh · #40 02-16-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

I had a friend w/ a first gen D350 cummins- it had airbags all around.. dont recall what it rode like- a truck, I think...

any vehicle will need front end work sooner or later, but them dodges w/ cummins seem to eat them.

I've owned for going on 12 years now, an 89 Dodge Cummins 4WD with 205K miles on it and the front end and steering is still perfect..... Tracks well, one hand steering with no wander going down the freeway.

Now the ride..... The dents in the roof from head tell THAT story.....

Jim

JimFreeh · #41 02-16-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnowsquall

? Would be a lot of work, but I could pull the Suburban body off and put it on the 1 ton Dodge Dually chassis.

Wonder what the ratio is on that rear end?

3.54 or 4.10 were the ratios for the 1st gen Dodges.

Jim

asnowsquall · #42 02-16-2009, 08:16 PM

This Suburban right now kinda rides like a big caddy right now.

The Dodge 350 that the 6BT/Getrag are in needs ball joints in the front end, and tires.

I'm thinking what I really should do is drive some of these trucks to get ideas. Can really drive a 4BT unless I find a Grumman around.

asnowsquall · #43 02-16-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

3.54 or 4.10 were the ratios for the 1st gen Dodges.

Jim

Looks like 3.07 also.

Motorhead · #44 02-17-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asnowsquall

Getting geared up for a conversion. Selling just about everything I own. Sold the white wagon I had. May have a deposit soon on the Maroon wagon. Someone is coming to look at the Bus this week and seems really excited, going to hurt to see that go. It was very handy but sits alot. I'm practicing something we learned at work called LEAN. I want to get down to just the Suburban I just got, my wifes minivan, and one extra car. Things go right and I'll be down to just two extras, the 82 or is it 83 Rabbit diesel, and the 82 240D. Leaning towards keeping the Rabbit, but we will see.

The Suburban is from Texas and very clean, it was on Craigslist and started at $2500 obo. I got it for $1,100. Now to decide on something to replace the 350 thats running perfect with 181K on it.
Well I thought about a 617 and I think for around town it would be OK, but thats about it. So do I go the easy route and just put a 4BT onto the 700R tranny and leave it 2 wheel drive. Maybe. I looked at a 6BT with a 5 speed Getrag still in the truck, has 112K on it. Guy said make a reasonable offer after no bites on craigslist at $1750 obo. How about a 4BT with the 5 speed, bet that would get high 20's with 2 wheel drive. The other option is getting 4x4, 6bt with Automatic which would let me get a plow option. Way more work also.... We will see. Dave

Check out this link from the Turbodiesel registry. With your Suburban being a 1/2 ton, you probably could only go a 4BTA. After you ck the link, go to the Cummins conversion forum on the Turbo diesel registry.
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/cummins-diesel-conversions/207447-cummins-swap-into-88-burb-done.html