Diesel conversion

paradisePWoffrd

paradisePWoffrd

Recovering Project Junkie
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Location
Newton, NC
Ive been thinkin about puttin a diesel drivetrain into one of my trucks, but i gotta few questions, and mods can move if its in the wrong place...

1) Does anyone here know if you can change the fuel type on the vehicles title from gas to diesel and vise-versa? I know that there is a spot on the titles for the fuel type, but dont know if you can legally and/or how to go about changing it.

I dont know if the DMV really cares either way, but Id think for inspection purposes youd need it to be right..

The truck is a 94, if it matters....

2) Could a 700R4 hold up behind a 4BT or 6.2/6.5 diesel? Just thinkin to try and get the RPMs down on the hwy without running an insanely high axle ratio.
 
i believe the hummvees come with 700r4 behind the 6.2 in military applications. someone correct me if im wrong on that.
 
Rich said:
TH400
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Rich is right - TH400 in military Chevys.

But the 1/2-ton 6.2L Civilian trucks and Blazers came with a TH700R4. I have one. A TH700R4 will hold up to a 6.2L just as well as it will hold up to a 350 - the 6.2L has less power and torque than the 350. (I've got a 350 TBI/TH700R4 in another truck)
 
thanks, i figured that it would be ok behind a 6.2/6.5, but im not so sure about the 4BT even though i think itd be ok with the right stuff in it...

anyone know of the legality of it?
 
bcammons21 said:
i believe the hummvees come with 700r4 behind the 6.2 in military applications. someone correct me if im wrong on that.
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th400 also known as 3L80 for the 6.2 and 6.5 detuned
4L80E for 6.5 turbo

Many a stock civilian 6.2 trucks had a 700r4
 
youcan maybe ask these guys
http://www.predatormotorsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=6
they do Duramax conversions on H2's

If you truck is 95 and older I think all you need to worrie about is that the engine is the same year or newer than the truck.
I am in the process of putting a 6.2 in my 88 Grand Wagoneer. and using the Th400/np241 from th 89 K2500 that had the diesel in it.
 
well i know that 95 and older doesnt haveto pass emissions, and neither do diesel vehicles... but part of the safety portion is visual inspection of factory emissions equipment, which the vehicle wouldnt still have after switching over to diesel..
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
well i know that 95 and older doesnt haveto pass emissions, and neither do diesel vehicles... but part of the safety portion is visual inspection of factory emissions equipment, which the vehicle wouldnt still have after switching over to diesel..
Click to expand...


the '92 F250 I bought from Ken (BRUISER) was originally diesel, but had a late 70's model 460 installed. still had dual tanks and the "Diesel Fuel" on the dash...but can't remember on the title. Almost positive it still said diesel.

I sold it after a couple months, and never had to get it inspected...but maybe he could speak up if he had any issues?

Greg
 
If you're going to swap to a diesel...I don't see why you would even consider an old gm unless you had one sitting around. 4bt with th400 and be done with it. Is this for a street truck or offroad vehicle?
 
well I am mainly considering a 4BT, but the GM diesels still have more HP and a shitload more torque then the stock motor...

this will be a street truck, that is why i was wondering about a tranny with OD, because having to run an extremely high axle ratio would suck
 
yeah i meant to say civilian trucks lol
thanks guys wont tryin to give miss information.
 
I vote for the 4bt, just cause it's a Cummins. I hear they weigh about the same as a 350. Not too sure about the 6.5 etc. on weight.
 
If you go by a dmv office (license and theft division, not where you get your plates and drivers license) an inspector there can tell you what you need to do to convert to diesel. Probably they will want to see it after the swap, and they'll change it over. Probably want you to get stickers for the dash and filler neck that say Diesel Fuel Only.

When i bought my 03 f250 diesel, they titled it as a gas and i got a letter after my inspection saying I was to be fined for not getting an emissions inspection. I had to go to the license and theft dmv and let an inspector look at 3 vin # on my truck, and the dash and filler door, and he heard it run, then he changed the title to diesel, and I had to go to the plate agency and pay $10 to get a new registration.
 
rattlecanpaint said:
I vote for the 4bt, just cause it's a Cummins. I hear they weigh about the same as a 350. Not too sure about the 6.5 etc. on weight.
Click to expand...

The 4bt is heavier than a 350. I don't have time to go search the weights of 4bt, 6.2L, etc right now, but they are definitely on the web if you have some time look for them.
 
Diesel Quest.

Personally I wouldn't consider going to a diesel unless I was going to something new. Cat, Cummings, Powerstoke (turbo 7.3) or Duramax. The tranny question is no. The 700r4 is sweet for a 3000 to 4000 lb vehicle or less. 4WD is questionable. Yes! It has a killer 1st gear. They just aren't meant for torque or high HP. I come from a racing background. Freddie Brown who is one of the best tranny builders will only guarentee a 700r4 for about 550 HP. Not saying you intend on that type of HP but his other trannys go up to 1200+. Not to strong. It needs a specific lock up torque converter. There is just better ways of doing things these days. Doing custom conversions always cost a ton. Expect your cost to double & triple and lots of time to maybe get it righ. There are great after market overdrive units that would attach to a turbo 350 or 400. No they're not low buck but don't expect the build to be either.



paradisePWoffrd said:
Ive been thinkin about puttin a diesel drivetrain into one of my trucks, but i gotta few questions, and mods can move if its in the wrong place...
1) Does anyone here know if you can change the fuel type on the vehicles title from gas to diesel and vise-versa? I know that there is a spot on the titles for the fuel type, but dont know if you can legally and/or how to go about changing it.
I dont know if the DMV really cares either way, but Id think for inspection purposes youd need it to be right..
The truck is a 94, if it matters....
2) Could a 700R4 hold up behind a 4BT or 6.2/6.5 diesel? Just thinkin to try and get the RPMs down on the hwy without running an insanely high axle ratio.
Click to expand...
 
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