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

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

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/

You can check the links for the different parts on the left. It was written some time ago and since then, he's swapped in the ZF5. You'll probably find the info helpful or at least interesting...

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

You could also consider a GM 6.5. It would be much more of a direct drop in than a 4bt but it certainly doesn't have the reputation of a Cummins. Sounds like a cool project. Keep us posted.

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'83 300D 198,000mi Howard
'03 Saturn Vue CVT 75,000mi(wifeys)

I bought another 300SD to use the motor/trans in a 88 thru 97 Chevy std pickup. I don't remember the guys name that is on here but he put one in a older (50's) Ford PU and that was a cool swap. So please leep us posted on your build, I have havig a hard time finding a good truck that does not cost a small mint...

Doc.

I envy the stance of that 'burb. I have a thread going on making our C2500 TD sit that low and ride decently with only people aboard.

I'm curious to know how your conversion turns out. Do Cummins have a vacuum pump or will you convert to a hydraulic brake booster like in factory GM Diesels?

Sixto
87 300D

I had a 96 Suburban with the 6.5. For what it is, its a good engine. The independant front suspension was a nice ride also, but it was worn.

On this 2X4 the ride is real nice and comfy, which is part of the reason I may leave it a 2X4 and put the lighter 4BT engine in it. There are adapters to mount the 4BT to chevy tranny which is what I may do if I stay with an Automatic.

The 6BT I looked at today had a vacuum pump which I believe was driven right off the power steering pump.

I will keep you posted. There are people putting the 6BT into half tons which is what dodge did, and they are happy with them, especially if you don't beat on it by 4 wheeling.

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

That is a very clean Suburban and if it had a perfectly functioning engine I wouldn't be swapping......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Another choice is a Cummins 6at 3.4 which is a smaller, higher revving engine if you really want a 6.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

x2

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Its just a Suburban. I'll just have to find a clean diesel engine for it. My goal was to find a clean body for about $1,000. The guy that inspected it is interested in the motor.

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

Does it have a 10-bolt rear? What ratio? 4/1 leaf springs?

Sixto
87 300D

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.

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'83 300D 198,000mi Howard
'03 Saturn Vue CVT 75,000mi(wifeys)

My wrong, thanks for correcting!

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

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

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

the cummins is one fine motor but its very heavy, about 1200# compared to half that or so for a 6.2 gm....

The 6.2 gm on the other hand is
pretty common and give good service and economy for what they cost. Put a stick behind one and you would have a pretty sweet combo.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.