Wow, be prepared to spend some big bucks, and in the end it may not be worth it. Here in Australia a 1HDT (90-95) costs about $9000au, a 1HD FT (95-97) would cost up to $12000 if you can find one and a 1HD FTE - forget it.
and this is in Australia where diesels are common. Most guys over here are converting their cruisers to the chev V8 turbo diesels. I think a chev conversion over here costs about $18000 including rebuilt engine and diff ratio change.
That's not entirely true Brett. I just bought a 40k old (25,000 mi for you mericano's) 1HD-FTE plus H151 5speed box (the big one) and the complete wiring harness and brain out of a wrecked 79 series ute. The whole shebang cost me AU$11k.
The engine is currently being put into my 99 mod 105 cruiser. Because the 105 had a 1fz (I got it cheap) I'm expecting the job to run into 5 or 6 grand to convert. Mechanically it's not very difficult because the engine and box fit straight in with just a little loving needed to get the shifter in the right spot.
The harder part is the wiring. Essentially you need to take both harnesses, cut away what you don't need from each and lay them in together. Big job
but not impossible.
If the car had been a 1hz then there would be a few less things to do but not that many. Anyway, I jagged it so cheap a few extra clams on fuel lines, filter/primers etc isn't a big issue.
The chevy thing comes from the fact that that most folks can handle the idea of mechanical cut and shut but shy away from the lekky stuff. The chev V8's take a bit of coaxing to get in with re welding mounts and custom adapters but add fuel and power to the pump and bobs your uncle.
Brunwick and Linquip both quoted around $20k for the 6.2ltr NA and $28k for the 6.5 TD drive in drive out 3 weeks later (engine only). The way I'm doing it I keep my Toyota integrity in the motor coupled to the right gearbox box and diff ratios. I think you will find the Chevy's rev to high with standard gears so there is some more money you need to spend. My mail is that they can also suffer from cooling issues.
Getting back to the original question, converting isn't hard but having now read through these pages and found out just how much stuff is not available in the biggest market in the world I'd have to say your nemisis won't be the converstion but the aquisition.
Find out if you can put an Aussie TD in you truck and I'd be glad to source and freight (at you cost of course
) a real motor over to you. Just bear in mind, she'll be a right hand drive one
