Ok i was told today since I have a 96 6.5 with the 5 speed manual transmission that I would be able to put a mechanical fuel pump on instead of the injection pump. Is this true and if so would you do it.

I bet you're wondering if you can swap a mechanical DB2 IP in the place of the stock electronic DS4 IP?
IIRC, the problem with 1996 and + is the TCM (trans control module). As long as you get a manual tranny, you should be able to swap.
I will dig deeper in the conversion manual I get. Martin did that book, everything is explained inside...

yues thats what I was thinking is there a benefit to doing this. was that type of IP pump more dependable. Kinda of new to the 6.5 motor thanks

Is yours broke?

If not, why change it? It is a LOT of work...

Some will say you get peace of mind with a mechanical DB2 -xxx pump.
I don't know if it worth the time and money. You could then cranck the DB2 to get more power.
I personally think you can get peace of mind too with the DS4 electronic pump, as long as you relocate the PMD (pump mounted driver) outside bay engine, far from heat...
You can too get more power from a DS4 with a reflashed PCM

my .02

I just ordered the relocate kit for the pmd as my went south last week also ordered an extra pmd as a back up. When we need our trucks we need them and just want the most reliable setup I can put in them. This being my first 6.5 and seeing everyone having issues with the pmd it was a question that I just wanted to ask you savy veterans. What kind of life time does these pmd modules have if remotley mounted in the bumper. Also I own a business we surplus industrial parts so if any body needs heat sink material or PVC tubing Just ask.

I converted a truck with a 350 gas and 4L60E auto to a 6.5L NA. I didn't want to mess around with the electronic pump so I thought I would go with the mechanical one. As far as the engine went it was super simple, I did the swap in a weekend and the motor runs great and all the electronics work (dash, lights, etc.) except I discovered the transmission no longer shifted. I had kind of suspected this might happen so I had a back up plan, I installed a couple of switches and I can shift the transmission with those (I get some strange looks from passengers but it actually works pretty slick). Anyway, since you have a manual trans, I would definitely go with the swap, I know everyone here thinks all you have to do is relocate the PMD etc. but honestly these trucks are getting old and there is a lot of expensive shit associated with that electronic pump. Did you know the go peddle isn't even connected to the motor? Its just a variable resistor with some wires. Half the advantage of diesels used to be reliability and simplicity, that all went out the window with the electronics and now they are no more reliable than a fuel injected gas motor (I get tired of seeing my check engine light on my 6.5L tahoe). Not to say electronics don't have any benefit, if you are going for more power, better adjustability, emmisions, etc. there are advantages but for a cheap reliable work truck you can't beat the simplicity of the mechanical setup. All the old 6.2's out there would be long gone if they weren't so reliable.

I converted a truck with a 350 gas and 4L60E auto to a 6.5L NA. I didn't want to mess around with the electronic pump so I thought I would go with the mechanical one. As far as the engine went it was super simple, I did the swap in a weekend and the motor runs great and all the electronics work (dash, lights, etc.) except I discovered the transmission no longer shifted. I had kind of suspected this might happen so I had a back up plan, I installed a couple of switches and I can shift the transmission with those (I get some strange looks from passengers but it actually works pretty slick). Anyway, since you have a manual trans, I would definitely go with the swap, I know everyone here thinks all you have to do is relocate the PMD etc. but honestly these trucks are getting old and there is a lot of expensive shit associated with that electronic pump. Did you know the go peddle isn't even connected to the motor? Its just a variable resistor with some wires. Half the advantage of diesels used to be reliability and simplicity, that all went out the window with the electronics and now they are no more reliable than a fuel injected gas motor (I get tired of seeing my check engine light on my 6.5L tahoe). Not to say electronics don't have any benefit, if you are going for more power, better adjustability, emmisions, etc. there are advantages but for a cheap reliable work truck you can't beat the simplicity of the mechanical setup. All the old 6.2's out there would be long gone if they weren't so reliable.


GM does make a Trans controler to control the 4Lx0E transmissions on a not computer controlled engine.

It was on Trucks, or Horsepower (Spike Tv) recently.

Check the GM performance parts book if you want to go that way.

I converted a truck with a 350 gas and 4L60E auto to a 6.5L NA. I didn't want to mess around with the electronic pump so I thought I would go with the mechanical one. As far as the engine went it was super simple, I did the swap in a weekend and the motor runs great and all the electronics work (dash, lights, etc.) except I discovered the transmission no longer shifted. I had kind of suspected this might happen so I had a back up plan, I installed a couple of switches and I can shift the transmission with those (I get some strange looks from passengers but it actually works pretty slick). Anyway, since you have a manual trans, I would definitely go with the swap, I know everyone here thinks all you have to do is relocate the PMD etc. but honestly these trucks are getting old and there is a lot of expensive shit associated with that electronic pump. Did you know the go peddle isn't even connected to the motor? Its just a variable resistor with some wires. Half the advantage of diesels used to be reliability and simplicity, that all went out the window with the electronics and now they are no more reliable than a fuel injected gas motor (I get tired of seeing my check engine light on my 6.5L tahoe). Not to say electronics don't have any benefit, if you are going for more power, better adjustability, emmisions, etc. there are advantages but for a cheap reliable work truck you can't beat the simplicity of the mechanical setup. All the old 6.2's out there would be long gone if they weren't so reliable.
If it ain't broke don't fix it. There is nothing wrong with a DS4 along as the PMD is relocated and clean fuel is run in the truck. If you have cruise control it is driven by the PCM and PMD Switching to DB2 would disable it. The DB2 wasn't the end all either. I replaced plenty of those too. I just sold one on ebay that had a stuck advance in it. Remember they were not designed to run on Ultra low sulfur diesl plus IIRC the was a plastic gear that went in them

X2 on what is saying Ace :exactly:
Have a look to my garage to get an idea about what kind of setup you can imagine.
Bill Heath is selling a remote kit with a 7 year warranty offered, that gives you an idea of the reliability of the PMD as long as it is remote mounted outside engine bay.
Give you truck 6~8 oz of marine 2 stroke oil at each tank refill to restore lubrication and will forget you get a DS4 electronic IP ;)