Ok I've got a '89 1 ton dually with a 454/turbo 400 and I love it. It's from TX so it's rust free. It can pull a house but only gas station to gas station. Which really sucks. It's my daily driver and getting 8-9 mpg. On a good day. So I've been wanting to swap in a diesel. A couple of friends have them and I'm hooked!

I've read about the 6.2/6.5 and was needing to be schooled on them. Is it a bolt in? Can I use my trans? I'm new to the diesel game so all my questions may seem stupid but so am I. It will continue to be a daily driver as well as towing my Blazer to go wheeling. I love this truck but I'm really sick of the mileage. I really can't enjoy it the way it is.

this would be a pain to do. But if I were to do it I would try to find a doner that was a 92-93 with the overdrive. the ecm for those is just for the trans. Off hand I cant rember if the 89 that you have has a cable drive speedo or is it electric. The 4l80e trans would be the way to get mileage and not lose top speed. Your truck might even cruise down the e way faster than before. The 92 -93 would most likely be a 6.2 but all the 6.5 turbo parts pumps every will bolt up. IF YOU USE V BELT DRIVE MAKE SURE TO USE A V BELT WATER PUMP.

MY choice to use a 92 -93 would be for the injection pump. no fly by wire throttle. no $400 pmd just old school diesel. Many here have installed a turbo master wast gate control that has noting to do with anything but boost. That works with out vac or electric.
You might check in the 6.2 section to see how they would add a turbo. as far as if there is any thing to do with the ip for fuel control
Your drive shaft would to long for the new trans.



Keeping your trans you need a vac pump for the modulator so it would shift. Than shift points might tend to red line the diesel that wont wind past 3000 rpms The way your truck is now what rpms are you turning at your favorite speed. the diesel and you same trans will be the same.


Most of the trucks that I have compared the gas counter part to the diesel gets about 1.5 times the mileage Would the trouble and cost be worth it to you?

besides needing the wiring harness and the computer to run the 6.5td, it requires quite a bit of work...have you looked into swaping in a tranny with overdrive?

The mechanically inject 6.2/6.5 would go in easy. Many have done the swap. TH400 came behind 6.2's, so yours would work. You would need the correct torque converter.

stock 6.5l turbo set-up can be tricky, especially if you have AC. Aftermarket turbos (banks and ATS) can be had that will be bolt on.

Is the mech injected 6.2 worth it? I've heard they don't tow well. But I'd like actual testimony not just 'what I've heard is'.

I would put a turbo on it. Then I think you would have the best of both worlds.

The money you spend doing all that work, would buy a lot of gas, or a gear vendors overdrive.

You would be much better off selling and buying a different truck. The money spent on the conversion would be prohibited.

I would recommend the 93 6.5 TD (like mine) with mechanical injection. NO PMD!

It may not be easy to find since 6.5 has been out of favor for a while but it is possible. Because of it out of favor not too popular, you probably will be cheaper buying a 1 ton truck with 6.5 in it already. I believe they make the truck until 2001. You may have to dig deeper though.