72 chevy to diesel??

[Saccowboy]

hey guys i need a little help and opinions. ive got a great 72 chevy 1/2 ton that is the project truck. i want to either put a cummins in it or i have a complete 83 jimmy with 6. 2L(FREE) to put in it. im debating on spending the money and getting a 2nd gen cummins or using the 6. 2L. i dont need a tow rig just something fun to drive and play with that gets good mileage. has anyone dropped a diesel in a 69-72 chevy 1/2 ton?? or have any info on it? thanks for the help



Will

 

[IC Smoke]

My 83 6. 2 1ton 2wd is GREAT on fuel but worthless for power. IMO dont mess with the 6. 2 if you want a reliable powerful play rig. The first 6. 2 in it broke a crank yes crank, the 2nd one broke a fuel pump push rod, had a loud tick for a little while that is now gone, the electrical has a gremlin (manual glow plug engaugement now to fix the problem) and NOW its leaking oil like its going out of style from the cooler lines. Make the best choice and go with the cummins you know first hand its a awesome motor!!!! stuck with it! weight might be a issue on the half ton but someone will chime in on that issue. I dont know if I said but the 6. 2 is GUTLESS hahah BUT it is good on fuel 20+ mpg





Ian

 

[DBogo]

well i am very familiar with that body style (67-72) i got one and i think a cat 3208 will fit in there and that would be a better motor then the 6. 2 but again you may have weight issues in a 1/2 ton

 

[MaxMartin]

Can be done! I put a 93 Cummins in an 82 GMC 1/2 ton 4WD. Lots of fabrication. Completely cut the radiator mount and sides to the point the 93 dodge after cooler and radiator and maounts would fit. The hood latch from the GMC was welded to the dodge stuff after it was welded in to the GMC. The motor mounts were lowered 2" and the front crossmember was lowered 2". The rear fire wall was beat back 1. 5". The inlet to the intake manifold was angled forward a few degrees to clear the power brakes. The trans tunnel was raised 1. 5" to clear the transmission- an NV4500. The stock 208 transfer case was used with adapters from Blumenthals for the transfer case and the engine to transmission bell housing. All the automatic stuff from the dodge was discarded and manual switces were used: ie; manifold preheat, start and cold advance.



It gets 20 mpg at 70mph unloaded and 15 to 18 mpg pulling an 18 ft car hauler. It only took 6 months.

 

[VanOverbeke]

I am in the middle of putting a 6BT in my 72 chevy 3/4. I have a 4" lift and that made it easier. There was no moving the fire wall or the stock radiator. It will all fit. I have not gotten to putting the inter cooler in yet. I made custom motor mounts and new cross members. Project is 75% right now. Just need to make time to get it done. Have not worked on it since December.

 

[CyberRanger]

Can be done! I put a 93 Cummins in an 82 GMC 1/2 ton 4WD. Lots of fabrication. Completely cut the radiator mount and sides to the point the 93 dodge after cooler and radiator and maounts would fit. The hood latch from the GMC was welded to the dodge stuff after it was welded in to the GMC. The motor mounts were lowered 2" and the front crossmember was lowered 2". The rear fire wall was beat back 1. 5". The inlet to the intake manifold was angled forward a few degrees to clear the power brakes. The trans tunnel was raised 1. 5" to clear the transmission- an NV4500. The stock 208 transfer case was used with adapters from Blumenthals for the transfer case and the engine to transmission bell housing. All the automatic stuff from the dodge was discarded and manual switces were used: ie; manifold preheat, start and cold advance.



It gets 20 mpg at 70mph unloaded and 15 to 18 mpg pulling an 18 ft car hauler. It only took 6 months.

An '83 Jimmy is a totally different body than a '67-'72. If its a 4x4 it'll be easier than if its a 2x4. It is a much easier fit into a '73-'87 GM truck.



I only know of one person who has done a 5. 9 into a '67-'72, Ron Savage. He did it about 10 yrs ago. Here are some photos & background on my own website...



http://users. frii.com/cybrrngr/coolwheels/ronsavage/



Ron said it was a very tight fit into his truck, a '70 K20. He had to dimple the firewall a tiny bit & use an offroad equipment exhaust manifold to relocate the turbo. The original Dodge exhaust manifold put the turbo smack in the middle of the '67-'72 heater box. He also said he used the Ddoge crossmember/motor mounts & fabbed it to fit his Chevy frame. The frame of his Chevy is highly beefed. It was a competition puller prior to the Cummins swap & has ½" plate added front-to-rear on the top & bottom of the frame.



Ron's 12V 5. 9 is also highly bombed & puts out ridiculous power.



A half ton Chevy would likely be better off w/ a B3. 9. Over on a Chevy Forum that conversion has been done. The 5. 9 would be way too heavy for a half ton. It weighs something like 1100 lbs dry. Even the 3. 9 would be a bit of a stretch. It weighs about 75 lbs more than a big block Chevy. Even the torque from the 3. 9 might be a bit much for the 1/2 ton drivetrain.



I've been contemplating this conversion for about 4 yrs now, but haven't done it due to money issues. I plan to buy a complete wrecked 24v 5. 9 with the NV5600 so I'll have all the parts at hand. My Dana 60 in my K20 won't be stout enough. I'll likely shorten the Dana 80 to match my 60 width. I'll also have to get a hold of a late model NP205 (square front bolt pattern) to fit the NV5600. My earlier model has a different front bolt pattern (round). I also plan to build a Dana 70 front axle. I four wheel my Chevy & would like a stouter front axle than a 60. 70 allows bigger axle tubes & bigger pinion shaft.