Conversion

[Uderro1]

I have a 96 tahoe LT with a 5.7 and was wondering how hard it will be to convert it to the 6.5 diesel.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

you will have to change just about everything on it. can be done but not a quick swap.

engine, trans, fuel tank, wiring, computer, etc etc.

if you have a complete 6.5 truck sitting next to your 96 to take everything off of it probably wouldn't be horrible, but if you are trying to piece it all together, good luck.

 

[Uderro1]

Would I have to change my rear and drive shaft too?

 

[07Burb]

X2 of what procomp said. Very extensive process! I'm not sure about your driveshaft question but I'm sure your rearend would be ok.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

IIRC the 4l80 trans is longer requiring a new rear shaft. if you are going through all the trouble to swap in a diesel i would swap in a 14 bolt SF rear end, stonger than the stock 10 bolt.

 

[bowtiefreak]

Buy a diesel instead of swapping. In my opinion it is not worth the trouble, but again just my opinion

 

[SunlitComet]

Agreed the diesel was for the two door and used a rear end of 3.73 ratio. If by chance you have a four door swapping some parts is not going to be enough. If the diesel donor is free I would consider it.

 

[the big blue bus]

why not swap in a newer diesel like the duramax or a cummings? theres a nice cummins swaped tahoe on youtube

 

[07Burb]

why not swap in a newer diesel like the duramax or a cummings? theres a nice cummins swaped tahoe on youtube

You're still talking huge bucks here. IMO, I'd rather just go buy a rig with a DMax already in it for the price it's going to take to do this swap...

 

[retorq]

why not swap in a newer diesel like the duramax or a cummings? theres a nice cummins swaped tahoe on youtube

Exactly!! That's like swapping out a V6 and putting in a 305. LOL Do it nice and more importantly DO IT ONCE!!

 

[97yukon]

agreed on top of the fact that the 6.5 diesel was a joke lol

 

[Uderro1]

It is a 4 door and I like the body style of the '96. I am not a fan of the newer models. The only reason that I was thinking of swapping is cause my fuel mileage really sucks right now. I am getting roughly 13mpg and I know I can get better just not sure why it is that bad. I gave it a full tune up and that didn't help any.

 

[SunlitComet]

Doing better then some others here for mileage.

 

[07Burb]

13 mpg is actually just about right

 

[Uderro1]

When I first got the truck I was getting 16-20. Then a couple of months later it went to 13 so not sure why.

 

[blackcoffee]

Swap to a 6.0L with a 4L80e. That way you'll definetly get some gains in hp/tq an LS engine, and less mpg's lost with driving around that heavy tahoe, plus less mpg wasted when towing or carrying weight, and probably an overall increase of gas mileage maybe putting you back into the 16-17 overall mpg range. Don't go down a pipe dream of putting a 6.5L into an obs tahoe its a waste of money a total waste of cash just to get a little better gas mileage, some black smoke, and the noise, vibrations. I'll admit I LOVE The black smoke, the noise, and the gas mileage and the torque from a modern diesel engine. But this is NOT the right route to go. Your MUCH better off trying to find a 2dr tahoe with a 6.5L diesel and buying it and driving it or finding a 1500HD with a 6.5L buying it and driving it if they even made those if your looking for something 1/2 ton with a 6.5L and the old body style. Hey and if you do find a diesel 2 door in your search, tell me I would love to have one. Also an M1009 with a 6.2L is not what your looking for they are tin cans.

 

[07Burb]

When I first got the truck I was getting 16-20. Then a couple of months later it went to 13 so not sure why.

16-20? really? was it mainly highway driving when you were getting that? I'd have to wonder if you changed you driving style or if you went from highway driving to city driving. Or have you changed your air filter in a while?

 

[Uderro1]

No I haven't changed the air filter yet. I didn't think that it would make that much of a difference. I live in the burbs/rural country. so most of my driving is decent runs without lights or signs to stop at.

 

[07Burb]

an air filter will actually make a pretty significant difference with regards to MPG. I'd get one of those pretty soon if it's been more than 6000 miles since last replacement.