Looking at the options for a repower

[jmiller]

So I'm looking at the options for a repower of my truck.

6.5 Carnage Photo Album


The 6.2 / 6.5 hybrid from Diesel Depot has my eye right now.

Putting a Cummins 4bta caught my eye as a possible option (with 4l80e adapter). DD has some delivery truck take outs for sale.

The wife doesn't like either option, but a newer truck or a gaser aren't either.

Pro/ con

The Cummins would cost a little more overal.
The cummins should be more reliable
the 3.9 is short on power compared to the 6.5
the 3.9 should get better mileage
switching would require dedicated TCU and some rewiring
The 6.2 / 6.5 hybrid is a drop in

​

 

[btfarm]

I'd suggest the drop in John. Engine swap usually nickel and dimes you to death with all the little things you didn't think of.

 

[chrisk1500]

I would do a 4BT swap...much more potential.

Mind you, with the cost of a swap, you might be surprised at the prices of used LB7's....

Just my 2 cents....

 

[buddy]

Simplest, cheapest, quickest solution will also be less hassle from your wife

 

[jmiller]

Simplest, cheapest, quickest solution will also be less hassle from your wife

I'm all for that. But then again, she hates that I bought the truck in the first place.

 

[Woody35]

out of the box a 4bt might have less power but it has a lot more potental than a 6.5 right now.

 

[Crankme69]

This prolly won't help, but sure would be nice...might be a scam being as though there is no phone number to call...

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/pts/1529153416.html

 

[Paveltolz]

I'm all for that. But then again, she hates that I bought the truck in the first place.

Sorry about the truck and really sorry about the wife's feelings about the the whole deal. On the flip side, you've nothing to worry about regardless of the decision if she hates the truck anyway. However, in the spirit of 'things can always get WORSE'...take the path with the least resistance for the truck's resurection.

My .02...The Diesel Depot motors come with great warranties and Jamie is first rate as a person can be. That and any other used parts you may require now or later can be had through his father and their connections on the salvage side of the house. Win Win in a losing situation.

FWIW, My plan upon redeployment next spring (2011) is to road trip to Savana and swap engines there at DD and road trip back as a means of break in.

 

[Chevylover]

Put a Chevy in a Chevy !

Cu,
Sven

 

[bk95td]

A whole donor truck is another option. I've seen 2wd fleet trucks go pretty cheap around here. Under 100,000 miles for less than $2000. Sorry to add to the mix.

 

[jmiller]

:idea:

Of course, there is a diesel 4.3 v6 that has been sitting at the farm for a few years. That engine came out of the Celebrity, dad probably doesn't want much for it. What needs to be changed ...... :sleeping: zzzz


Sorry, I must have been sleep posting

 

[btfarm]

:idea:

Of course, there is a diesel 4.3 v6 that has been sitting at the farm for a few years.

 

[Turbine Doc]

That 4.3 would make a great generator set.

I'd go drop in 6.5 as longer you are down longer you will be getting grief from the missus, My 83 1/2 Bronco project got terminated early, had rebuilt engine-trans in it Katrina put it under water a little before I got finished with it but just to keep the peace and to have to stop hearing "when are you going to fix that junk", I donated it to charity.

Put a 6.5 back in it and be done, or if one of these guys that wants you to swap to a "more capable" engine wants to take it off your hands so their wives can love a long project much as yours would sell it to them, discretion being the better part of valor & all. .

 

[North Maine]

I don't really think there is any argument that a 4bt is more capable than a 6.5, considering that Diesel Power has featured some pushing 800 horses. Yes that is with a huge amount of money and time and its likely going to grenade at some point, but still, 800 hp is 800 hp, and no 6.5 is making 800 hp.

 

[ak diesel driver]

turn up a 4bt and your mileage will go south

 

[CUCV]

I just got a former HMMWV motor off fleabay. $1200 + 350 to ship. The motor is immaculate inside. Can't say they are all that way, but I was short on cash and time so I figured what the heck. Had to change water pump, injectors, IP, intake, oil pan etc with parts off my old one, but not too bad. In a perfect world, I'd have an optimizer, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'd put that in your list of potential solutions, too. I've been breaking the parts costs to the little women gently, 1 bill at a time. I think the grand total would've made her faint!