I've decided that it must be done. I have an 86 S10 4x4 Pickup that gave up the ghost at 225Kmiles. I would like to convert it to a 4BT but I need your help guys.

Here is a general setup senario I'd like to go with.

4BT engine
NV4500 Tranny
Clutch master/slave from 90's dodge 1 ton

This is what I would like the truck to result in.

* Daily driver for winter months that gets great mileage.
* Able to run on Bio-Diesel or a mix
* 4x4 still functional
* No raise in ride height, I already have a 04 Ram 2500 4x4 CTD
* Fairly civil ride, although diesel noise never really bothered me.

What I need from you guys

What are the major obsticals in the gasser to Diesel conversion, ie... Power brakes, power steering, fuel pump(s), fuel plumbing?

What transfer case can I use behind an NV4500 that will deliver driver side front drive shaft?

Can I get away with stock axles if I don't go turning the power up on the diesel?

Where do I source a 4bt.... I mean like specifics... someone here has to have gotten one and still have contacts where they got it.

Thanks for all of the help guys!!!!

Jimbo

 

Is there a better place I should re-post this for re-power info?

 

You will have to go some to get an S10 front end to hold over 700 pounds of engine plus the radiator and transmission weight. Then there is over 350 in torque for the frame to handle. Does not sound like something you would want to do.

 

Forgot to add, there is no way that any of the gear train in the S10 will hold the torque of a Cummins diesel.

 

awe heck... I've got it stripped to the frame right now I can re-enforce!!! I see alot of guys running around with 700+ lbs of bigblock in their s10's There must be some of those guys that can offer some help with the suspension aspect of things. If you rev a Mildly built 350 you will find 300 lbs of torque and then some so there are resources for tacklin the specific issues I'll see with putting that much power in that chasis. I'm really looking more at what I need to tackle to make it a technical go.

 

that is not how the original post sounded. Probably need at least the strength of the big block to hold the torque. A small block develops the torque at a higher rpm range the Cummins will devolop the torque at a much lower point and put more strain on the frame and drive line. Anything can be built, good luck with it.

 

I was looking for sources of 4BT engines and maybe examples of people that have used them and perhaps created a journal or web page to document the experience. I know it sounds harsh but I want to learn as much from other people's mistakes as I can before I start making my own because anybody who knows me knows I'll make plenty of my own :-)

 

I see 4bta's on ebay ... they normally run about $2500 for engine and auto trans on ebay. The 4bta is commonly used in the Frito-Lay delivery trucks.

I would think that the stock fuel system should support the 4bta, but I can't remember if they have a block mounted fuel pump or not.

You'll need a source of vaccum for the power brakes. Um. I know that the 4bta and 6bta engines share a lot of the same parts, you may be able to adapt the vacuum and powersteering pumps from a 6bta to work.

I was going to do the conversion to my 97 S10, but for $2200 complete, I have a 350 LT1 from a vette in it.

brandon.