diesel 4 the 55

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SAWTOOTH 55 LC

SAWTOOTH 55 LC

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jul 19, 2010
Threads
54
Messages
881
Location
Holladay,Utah
I have read quite a few threads about different diesel conversions,and would like some opinions please.My three choices would be the 4bd,4bt and the 6.2.Im leaning towards the Isuzu 4bt2.it may cost more in adapters but i think it would be worth it.Anyone have advice on a choice of motor.would like to get motor/tranny/transfer built during the winter months and install in the spring.I know this isnt the diesel forum,I just wanted to see what others have used in their 55s.Thanks Yall
 
I would say its your best bet for dollar value. Forget the 6.2. The 4bt is heavy and vibration is a factor. The Isuzu is good but very expensive on parts. The Merc is a good choise in my opinion because of the fact that you can buy a whole running car in the $1500 dollar area. The engine is rated around 135hp and will rev like a gasser. 4x4 labs was putting together an adapter for the Chevy bellhousing. They are not the only one putting together the adapters though. Take into consideration this is only my opinion. I'm currently playing with Mercedes diesels as a poor mans hobby.
 
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Dude if you use a 4bt you may want to use a ford front axle. the exaust drops on the same side as the chevy and stock axles diff. Check out my pic album. I got a 4bt in my rig. I had a tight fit with the exaust. I used a Chevy dand 60 front axle and the front drive line blocked the exaust pipe.
 
Looked into the Mercedes conv. today,I can say it is growing on me.4x4 labs might make an adapter to Toy bell housing.Found 3 local MB 300d's for cheap.now just need to know if it clears the front diff with SUA.
 
Don't know why it wouldn't

I'm swapping one from mercedes to mercedes, and I can tell you that they have a lot less clearance than a pig.
 
regardless of which way you go, while you're this early on in the process maybe just go ahead and seek out Luke's expertise there at 4x4labs because they've done nearly every diesel option I believe...they're machining the adapters there and would be a great source of knowledge in one stop.
 
merc diesel are a short stroke engine and clear under the hood of a cruiser very well. i warn you though they dont make much torque,,, and you will be wanting to do a fair amount of tweaking if you want to get out of your own shadow , they work pretty good in a 40 but a 55 is a different story. you mention SUA, so i assume your tire size will stay fairly small and thet will help the merc.
 
The 4bt has all the torque one will ever need just make sure you go with a trans with overdrive if you like to have some top end speed. I used a high gear ratio 3.73 in the diffs. I made up for it with a doubler to get the low end. I'm real happy with the fit i have
 
4BTA. I like the MB Diesel, but I am not sure it is enough for the 55. Especially considering how power hungry we have all gotten. I mean 300hp used to be huge, now it is barely adequate.

Ryan
 
scottryana said:
4BTA. I like the MB Diesel, but I am not sure it is enough for the 55. Especially considering how power hungry we have all gotten. I mean 300hp used to be huge, now it is barely adequate.

Ryan
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I agree. But there are some of us out there that like 55mph top speed and slow hill climbs. What's the hurry anyway? ;)
 
Yes! 55 mph is good for a rig on 37s, I got a long range 49gal fuel tank @ 30 MPG thats a long way b-4 stops at the fuel station. If I needed to go a hundred mph i'd build a prerunner pickup with a supercharged TRD just like scotts power plant.
 
Sorry I think I phrased that wrong, but I suppose you guys are right.... I just think if I was going to go through the hassle of the swap, I would go with the 4bta, it is a little easier to get parts for then the mercedes and it is a heavy duty truck motor. The mercedes in my opinion is a lighter duty motor that was made for station wagons. I like that the mercedes is quieter. The middle ground is the Isuzu motor.

And Htown you read my mind for my next project.... 87-88 extended cab pickup desert racer. Glass fenders, big suspension and a built twin turbo aluminum 4L.

Ryan
 
scottryana said:
The middle ground is the Isuzu motor.
Ryan
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i agree with this if we are keeping everything stock, but i think the isuzu engine is superior to the cummins in every way if you are willing to tweak things a bit.

the cummins takes the prize for most easily modded since theyre is so much out there for it,,, but the isuzu (being the same displacement) is able to support the same power gains while remaining a quieter and smoother engine.
 
So, I think I know where a couple of p30 bread vans are for the 4bt,and have tracked down a few NPRs for the 4bd,but I could honestly get 2 handfuls of Merc. 617 all running,one has been rebuilt and never ran.I dont think i want the cummins 4bt,for all the same reasons others dont like it.I have a power stroke,and haul equipment every day.The 55 is more of a cruiser than a wheeler.I dont mind if I get beat off the line.Im just sayin a quiet diesel that will cruise pretty good and last forever,sounds good.my first choice would still be the 4bd,if I could find a decent price,lots o $.Thanks:wrench::wrench:
since i dont have any pics of engines,heres one of the first snow this morning.
 
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I think my desire is to have a diesel under the hood.But your right the logical swap would be a 2F,tried,true,easy,dependable.........and an improvement of my current F motor.Still want a diesel though
 
i was the same way,, i just wanted a diesel, made no difference logical.

i started crunching the numbers when i did mine and came to the conclusion that i needed to have the instant gratification of better driveability while i am waiting to start seeing the better MPG's. you know how much gasoline i coulda bought for the investment? i'm 3 yrs into my swap and only about 20% paid off in MPG difference. but i dont care, thats not why i did it,,, still puts a smile on my face everythime i drive it...

i am now collecting parts for the next hair brained project,,, a diesel over electric 55, like a locomotive. want to buy my already done and running isuzu 55?:cheers:
 
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