Yeah, but a 4BT is a 4 cylinder, right? That would fit in a space made for the 4.3 V6. That would make a nice truck. However, he's wanting to do something with an OM617...

BTW, The Astro I had came with the 3-row seating, and although the center row had 3 seatbelts, it would take 3 very NARROW passengers to fit in there - it is close to a foot narrower than the 3rd row (which also has 3 seatbelts). They really are more suited for 7 adults or maybe 5 adults and 3 kids.

Here's another idea for you. Dodge Durango 2WD

They're about the same size as a Grand Cherokee, about the same weight as the W123 wagon, they made a lot of them with small V8s, and a lot of them have forward-facing 3rd row seating so they can handle up to 7 passengers.

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

So a 1992 Suburban, 1st year of this body style, from Texas popped up on craigslist, and only about 60 miles away. Very clean, 181K, $1,100 recession dollars. I was reading that the Dodge Sprinter tips in at 4,400 lbs, but it also has 154 HP. I think the 617, and the 4BT 3.9 Cummins would move the Suburban and it would be slow. The 5.9 would do anything I needed which includes towing. I know where I can get a 5.9, I already have a 617 with the hydraulic pump if I wanted a fancy rear suspension. It would be fun to try a 617, even if it was just an around the city Suburban, it may be a dog but I know it could do it.

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

Why not use a Cummins 4BT in the aerostar, its short and way more powerful than the Om617...

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

Is that Suburban 4 wheel drive? Looks like its in nice shape. Nice find.

Just remember, those 4bt's are used in big bread trucks. I dont think it would have to much difficulty moving a Suburban.

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

Its 2 wheel drive. That the other decision I need to make, do I make it 4x4. Just putting a 4BT in would be the easiest conversion. For what you gain in fuel mileage I 'd say a 6BT would still be better and cheaper. Plenty of time to thing about it. I won't be doing it until I get rid of or finish other projects.

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

I think a six seventeen would be just fine in a suburban if you select the correct rear end ratios. You would not give up that much over the six point two really. Hp is close but the six two has more torque.

I towed a twenty four foot wilderness tt with a six two many many miles. with the three seventy three diff it would do sixty five flat out all day with the ac running.

without a trailer a six seventeen would pull the sub just fine, imho....running the three seventy three diff. light tow duty would be possible with a four ten diff.

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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.

One reason I'm thinking of trying the 617 is I have it so basically no cost for the biggest part of the conversion. I agree, alot of its success is in the gearing. One good this is that the 617 has a wide rpm range, what I mean is it can rev, which many diesels can't. The other reason is that there is a nice GM conversion build going on right here in the forum so there is good info, not to say there isn't plenty of 4BT and 6BT info.
Here is a thought, not that I want something this weak, but... How much HP and Torque does a diesel vanagon have, and how much does it weigh?

Update*** Looks like a vanagon is about 3,950 lbs. more to come.....

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