Put together or Buy? Truck question

[ladykiller]

I'm wanting to obtain a diesel truck, but don't really want to drop $38k on a new truck. That's just for a 2500HD WT extended cab 4x2 and the only options selected are a Duramax motor and an Allison transmission. I'd want to get a LT 4x4, and that bumps the price up to $44k+

Lets say you and your friends have the tools, know-how and space to buy a used truck and replace the motor and transmission. But you can only work on it over the weekend. Would you buy a non-diesel used truck, new motor and transmission to save some money?

Lots of used trucks <$10k
Duramax motor $ 6900
Allison Trans $ 4200

Total ~ $20k

I guess a 3rd option would be to buy a high mileage (100k+) diesel that I like around $20k. The selection for this option is just more limited.

[sullie]

I searched around on autotrader and cars.com and these seem pretty plentiful (the 6.6 diesel, extended cab, 2WD) for under $20k w/under 100k miles. I would go that route because you have a lot of things to think about such as suspension (isn't the diesel much heavier?), plus electronics, wiring harness, doesn't a diesel usually take two batteries(?), fuel system (fuel lines, fuel tank, etc.) plus many things I'm probably missing.

It just seems like a huge headache, a lot of added expenses and tons of unnecessary frustration plus you would never get that money back out of it and if someone plowed into you and totaled it, again, you're never getting that money and time investment back out of it.

[Smigelski]

I searched around on autotrader and cars.com and these seem pretty plentiful (the 6.6 diesel, extended cab, 2WD) for under $20k w/under 100k miles. I would go that route because you have a lot of things to think about such as suspension (isn't the diesel much heavier?), plus electronics, wiring harness, doesn't a diesel usually take two batteries(?), fuel system (fuel lines, fuel tank, etc.) plus many things I'm probably missing.

It just seems like a huge headache, a lot of added expenses and tons of unnecessary frustration plus you would never get that money back out of it and if someone plowed into you and totaled it, again, you're never getting that money and time investment back out of it.

I fully agree with this. The swap from gas to diesel is a lot more of a hassle than just engine and transmission.

[the flying grape!]

Why the need for a diesel 4x4? Or is it a want instead?

[cryption]

Just buy a truck used.

When you go gas -> diesel you should replace the fuel tank and lines among other things as well

[89VWdieselGolf]

high mileage (100k+) diesel

100K is high mileage?? HAHAHA It's diesel! 500K is high milage

[IHateSpeedBumps]

Just buy a truck used.

If you look around you can find *new* trucks on the lot with ~10k+ in rebates and incentives.
At least down here in Texas.

[Rex_WRX]

Why would you hesitate to buy a 100k mile truck? At that point the engine and transmission are not going to be the trouble points; if anything, the suspension will need maintenance, which would apply to your transplant truck as well. And I'd be surprised if you could do it for less than the cost of just buying a diesel truck outright. If you only need an extended cab and 2wd, you will save some money, as the Crew Cab 4x4 shortbed trucks fetch a premium.

Maybe if you find a wrecked one with all the conversion parts you need. And if you're a very skilled mechanic with knowledge of diesels. And if 100s of hours of your time is worth saving a few grand.

I could understand doing this for an off-the-wall custom or project. Duramax/Allison swap in to a 67-72 Chevy? Sign me up. Duramax/Allison powered Grand National clone? Absolutely. But for something you could buy off the shelf? I don't see much point.

Something else to consider, if you have emissions testing and inspections, it's likely that you'll run in to issues. I don't know the specifics, but I've heard things from the offroad community about having trouble swapping Cummins engines in to their trail rigs. However, I don't know if this applies to newer vehicles/engines.

[SSLByron]

Something else to consider, if you have emissions testing and inspections, it's likely that you'll run in to issues. I don't know the specifics, but I've heard things from the offroad community about having trouble swapping Cummins engines in to their trail rigs. However, I don't know if this applies to newer vehicles/engines.

Most of them are probably running into issues because they don't put OEM-equivalent exhaust systems back on the engines after the swap, and because full-size trucks aren't subjected to the same limitations as light-duty trucks and passenger cars. The emissions rules follow the chassis, not the engine.

Swapping from one HD chassis to another wouldn't be as problematic from that standpoint.

[PLAYED TT]

100K is high mileage?? HAHAHA It's diesel! 500K is high milage

I was a little confused at this too lol. I thought they only broke in at 100k miles.

[maryz]

Just buy a truck used.

When you go gas -> diesel you should replace the fuel tank and lines among other things as well

+1
...if you don’t want to spend too much, try to buy a used truck then buy at least tools you would need for repair/maintenance try to check this site: http://www.stylintrucks.com/category...d-_garage.aspx hope this could help you

[pho]

100K is high mileage? It's diesel! 800K is high milage

Fixed.

If you want to build your own truck, you need to find a mechanically injected diesel motor, 6.5td, 6.9/7.3idi, 4bt, 6bt, dt466, 3208, 4bd1t/2t, Deutz, Perkins, etc.

Then choose your transmission, the,th400 auto is really popular, so is the NV4500. Once you have your swap, rebuild it, then find a body, 86 GMC 3500 3+3 crewcab would be nice, or any 70s, 80s, or 90s 3/4 ton, crewcab 4x4.

Re: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...=Nissan+diesel

I built a 1978 F350 Supercab, 4x2, Isuzu NPR 4bd1t swap, T19/Doug Nash 2 speed. 4:10 rear axle, with a Detroit eLocker. Email me, I have plenty of pics. Pulled like a train.

Have fun.

[ValveCoverGasket]

i guess it depends as well on how you value your time...

i dont think swapping a gas truck to a diesel would be all that fun though.

honestly id either do the swap to something really old, or just buy a new(er) truck set up how you want it

[pho]

Hmmmmm, AIRCOOLED DIESEL: http://www.magirusdeutz.co.uk/MD8deutz.htm

Read the whole article, really interesting.

[GahannaKid]

I've always dreamed of swapping a Duramax/Allison combo into an older Dodge Ramcharger or an even older Chevy 3500 Dually P/U. Other than the gas lines/gas tank which doesn't seem like that much work, why is it so hard to do?

[WakusPakus]

100K on a diesel is like 10 miles on a gas engine

[MCTB]

Just buy a truck used.

When you go gas -> diesel you should replace the fuel tank and lines among other things as well

Theres more involved than that. You will have WAY more than 20k in that truck before its legally re registered and back on the road.

[ValveCoverGasket]

Theres more involved than that. You will have WAY more than 20k in that truck before its legally re registered and back on the road.

swaps always sound so easy...
its just an engine/trans, what could go wrong

[zane!]

swaps always sound so easy...
its just an engine/trans, what could go wrong

This x10000

It's not just an engine and trans... ECU and wiring, TCM and wiring, drivelines, engine and trans mounts, fuel lines, EVAP, tank... the list goes on.

[personman]

How old is this thread?

[zane!]

How old is this thread?

Haha we fail.

[MCTB]

swaps always sound so easy...
its just an engine/trans, what could go wrong

Gas V8 for gas V8...not too tough. A full diesel swap is the thing dreams are made of. I thought about it but then realized it would be smarter and cheaper to buy one (a diesel Cruiser, that is).




Whats odd is there was less of the usual TCL "put an LSx in it." I know it has one but where was the 8.0 suggestion?

[Cousin Eddie]

Brodozin' ain't cheap pal.

[Broduski]

I built a 1978 F350 Supercab, 4x2, Isuzu NPR 4bd1t swap, T19/Doug Nash 2 speed. 4:10 rear axle, with a Detroit eLocker. Email me, I have plenty of pics. Pulled like a train.

Pics and Videos please. I want to see this.

[pho]

How old is this thread?

Talkin about a ninja bump. Wow, just checked out the initial thread date,
Sheesh.

[pho]

swaps always sound so easy...
its just an engine/trans, what could go wrong.

Pics and Videos please. I want to see this.