BUDGET DIESEL SWAP: 3.9 4BT in a Chevy Tahoe

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

If you have swap related questions, best thing to do is join our Facebook group! It's a better platform for new questions and lots of experienced people there to help. facebook.com/groups/debossgarage

[@vernmeyer4485]

DEBOSS GARAGE Hello to ya, I have a 6At turbo Cummings stuffed in a 1960 LandRover Series II,88. I'm wanting to make some positive mods to help mileage and performance if possible. Do you have any ideas that can help? Thanks for your time. Vern

[@bbb129]

theyre not actual freeze plugs?!?!?! I thought I heard you refer to them as such before

[@yoman12121]

I like how this guy explains what he does, so i subbed

[@sfvirgo]

I like how different his stuff is, n all the different stuff he does like all the diesel swaps, revamping the shop, pouring concrete lol

[@therealpuglife]

Cat fight under the Cummins! Great stuff rich.

[@judahchadwick6577]

This is absolutely packed with information! Thank you for putting these videos together! You certainly know what you are about, and your videos are very well constructed, as are your actual builds. No backyard hack jobs here! This has to be my all time favorite gearhead channel, and I'll certainly be coming back with questions. I'm intending to build a truck later this year, either a Cummins into a Chevy or a TDi into a Toyota. We'll see how it goes down. Thanks again! I'll be watching closely.

[@samualwhittemore228]

Judah Chadwick Damn Skippy!!

[@calvinhobbes6646]

So what did you build?

[@reggraham9180]

A dry sleeve is a thin replacable sleeve that fits inside the block bores. No antifreeze touches it.. Very tight fit, no o-rings required . Most Perkins diesels use that system. . Old Ford 8n tractors as well.

[@uptownsamcv]

great video. I live in florida and I cant begin to imagine what below 0 temperatures are like.

[@ToyManFlyer1100]

Dammit..I wish I lived close to you...I would work for free just to learn what you know and how to do it right the 1st time...!!!!

[@lorenzovonmatterhorn4756]

Same hear. I wouldn't care at all. Never hurts to learn

[@fastinradfordable]

Lorenzo Von Matterhorn Fuck yes it hurts to learn. Ever lost a finger?

[@ih1206]

Just found your channel and have to say that I'm very impressed. You really seem to know your stuff and have tons of info to offer. I've been kicking around the idea of putting a 4bt in a Chevy k1500. I will finish watching this series to see what it take to pull off. It doesn't seem like it would be super difficult once I know what I need for parts.

[@VanisonZore]

ih1206 put a 6bt I am doing a 6bt in my 98 k1500

[@suavehouse5150]

So did you do the swap on the k1500?

[@dameagerbeaver7703]

I 💯 percent feel your enjoyment on the 3/8” socket on the idler pulley. I have an old 300ci Ford, all the $30 aftermarket idlers don’t have it only the $130 OE Ford does. Money well spent! Thanks the video.

[@717UT]

Those yellow cats were duking it out!

[@juliogonzo2718]

I had a 12v, it was a good cold starting Eng. Mine had sat 2 weeks -20c and lower. Fired up with little throttle in about 4 revolutions not plugged in. Batteries were only year old. Guy I worked with was mad as hell his 24v didn't start that day and he drove it night before.

[@swart112]

Thanks for the schooling brother, I feel like I'm back in Ohio Diesel Tech. again, of course back then We were all bust putting 4-53 Detroit's in our pickup trucks and working on that " state of the art, POS " Oldsmobile / GM 5.7 L conversion whatever diesel. LOL!!!

[@honorableeuropeannationali8742]

Nothing like a screaming Detroit Diesel.

[@calericketts5483]

Great video, even not knowing much about these engines coming into it I was able to understand what you were talking about.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Cale Ricketts Thanks! Really great to hear that. Glad it was helpful!

[@TroyBoyReviews]

DEBOSS GARAGE so your tahoe tows 12,000 lbs with ease?? My 2005 with 5.3 im afraid to tow 7,400 lbs

[@gtgodbear6320]

I want to put a 4bt in a 4-door S10 do a custom 72" bed dually conversion. I want a scaled-down miniature dually with a in-bed hitch as a towing rig for a Civic. Scaled-down semi wheels and everything. Make sure all the proportions are perfect. I don't know how well it would work Towing. But that's one of my dream trucks. I've seen a couple dually S10 that just didn't look right with full size truck flares and the proportions were way out of whack.

[@daviddroescher]

Well waiting for parts after my oil cooler split a seam on the road I was researching putting the larger cooler in iirc options are 9, 7, and 5 plates otherwise identical. The 6bt came with the largest early on . But over cooling the oil lead to deposits in the cooler , witch lead to blowen up coolers , they see unregulated oil pressure. Cummins solution to this was reduce the oil Cooling now the 6bt has the medium and the 4bt has the small. Flow is oil pump, cooler, overpressure valve, pluged filter (iirc 15psi) pressure differential valve PDV high side , oil filter (non-bypass) ,PDV low side, into first oil gallery in the block. The reason for this setup is the water warms faster so pull heat from the water to warm/thin the oil. Before the filterif the oil is still too thick it triggers the bypass preventing oil starvation on those bone chilling mornings. Can't get an answer out of oil filter technicians as to what temperature versus viscosity this pressure differential will occur in a Cummins, Fram , wix , or napa filter... lost 2.5 ga oil in 150mi. Found the problem and opened the rad cap limped to town 12 mi to us 50 the loneliest Highway in America Great job explaining the what's and why fors.

[@northlinerepair7128]

There is a intake cover available for the 4BT with the four bolt hole where you can put the grid heater on

[@pauayelo3024]

Now i know why everybody loves these cummins engines

[@ipolar78]

Lmao we added some Mexican chrome as a Mexican I find that hilarious...i fucking hate chrome

[@robertthomas2942]

Hey, my Puerto Rican buddy calls duct tape "Puerto Rican Chrome". That made me spew the cervesa everwhere...

[@pdx650]

Thanks for the very valuable information. I didn’t know about the oil cooler being a possible problem for oil and coolant leaks. I would love to swap in a 4BT into our ‘63 Gmc carry all.

[@josephsamsor1698]

pdx650 I’m actually watching this because I want to see how viable it would be for me to swap one into my 1963 gmc c10. Not sure if keeping the big block v6 and 3 speed is a good choice for a daily lol.

[@keithreinert5835]

I just wanted to say thank you for this video. Very informative and presented in a way I easily understood. Again much appreciated.

[@sjaakvanengelen4072]

you need a good ground altenator a cable to the batery.less resistens ,less cavitation.i had the problem with the C27 cat .made several ground cables and solved the problem.groetjes sjaak uit rio

[@eastside0434]

Diesel dictionary of great information

[@Smittyschannel]

PLEASE tell me you didn't put a Fram oil filter on that............

[@dimefever1006]

Almost as bad as Driveworks.

[@APOffroad]

I was looking at that also

[@MakinEndsMeet69]

Yeah right they had the worst test on the market

[@kadenwatt2033]

Fram is fine as long as you keep up on your oil changes. We use Fram on a bunch of equipment at work, but we cut all the oil change intervals in HALF. Our philosophy is that Oil and Filters are cheap... new engines are not.

[@Smittyschannel]

@@kadenwatt2033 Wix & Purolator filters are the same price as fram, & the best in their price range. Much better than fram

[@reboureyn139]

Call me silly, but whenever i watch your videos i listen to the intro twice! i live that little intro song!

[@myflsc1]

Lmao the cats are boxing🥊 nice vid

[@budphillips9301]

Actually, a coolant filter does filter the coolant. Yes, you're correct in that it reduces cavitation and erosion on the liners but any decent mechanic will tell you that changing the coolant more often will do the same. Also, you mentioned that the turbo manifold and alternator was from the 5.3 at 5:32-5:47... did you mean the 5.9 Cummins or the 5.3 LS engine that was in the Tahoe originally? 🤔

[@stewartmelzer939]

they made a marine version thats 4.5 liter 4 valve per cyl have one in a boat rated at 230 hp verses 150 for two valve its like the six thats a higher output at 6.7 liter

[@stewartmelzer939]

speed in a 25 ft southwester went from 29mph to 42mph

[@stewartmelzer939]

engine was built by cummins

[@PARDS2]

DEBOSS ROLL THE TOP DOWN BABY!!!! LOVE IT!!

[@MrChronic411]

You're very experienced! Learn so much from your videos thank you for going into detail its very helpful!

[@conradsenior5843]

very professional. You cover everything.

[@jongrimm7767]

Holy cow! Great video, well done. I have 3 diesel engines, and I sure learned a lot.

[@Velkanis]

hey nice series you have here and i started diggin on doing a convertion myself of an 05 trailblazer to 6bt cummins the main issue i have right now would be that the 4l60e would not withstand the torque so, what would you recommend here? getting a new tranny or finding a way with the original?

[@DoRC]

Question. How does using a coolant filter add a film to the inside of the water jacket? It seems like the only thing the filter would do is filter out impurities.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Its not really a filter, it releases an additive that coats the cylinders.

[@TonyLing]

Wow, I learned a thing or two there mate, great vid

[@borninthefla]

Exciting build. Waiting on part 2

[@williamstone267]

The only time you should replace the coolant filter is when you do a strip test and the nalcool is low ( providing you use a preloaded filter) the filter should last minimum two years.... remember you need to put manufacturer recommended coolant in truck. Not Ford's but Cummins. Will save you a head gasket in the long run.

[@Hmmm-ILikePancakes]

Would you be up for putting a 24v 5.9/Allison/14 Bolt in a 99' Tahoe with 6 in lift and 35's?

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

+Brandon Pavlovich Definitely!

[@1989tico]

Bought a 96 Chevy Silverado 2500 with the 5.7 I will use mostly to tow a 8,000lbs trailer will a 4bt be good or should I go with a 6bt 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@thomasmatejka7367]

I'd go with the 6bt. I don't think the 4bt makes enough power to pull 8,000 lbs with any kind of quickness, I could be wrong though

[@farmboysdelite]

Actually the freeze plugs are to keep the block from cracking if the water in it freezes. The ice will push out the plugs instead of cracking the cast iron.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

No, that is just a rumor and doesn't work. They are ports needed for the casting of the head and just get plugged after. It will not prevent your block from cracking

[@conradsenior5843]

What did you get for fuel economy, and what were you running for differential gears? Stock?

[@tythompson1633]

Digging the project. I've been interested in the 4BT for a few years now and thinking of swapping one in place of my vortec 350 in my 1996 silverado...not sure if the stock 4L60E will hold up or not though

[@VanisonZore]

Ty Thompson get a 6bt for it I'm doing a 6bt in my 98 1500 z71

[@brandonrodgers77]

Deboss, I'm currently doing an engine swap in a 04 Tahoe. I will not be using the old ecm. How do I keep my body control module/ inside electronics working without the ecm?

[@alliesman9758]

Love the videos! Especially the kitties if you could could you try a c4.4 in a 98 k1500 z71??

[@vinniegillotti9347]

Just turned the factory 4bt exhaust manifold upside down put turbo on top

[@kevincoquiicoquii7256]

The 69 dislikes are people you lost while explaining 😂🤦🏼‍♂️ I love how I didn't know I was going to learn so much about diesel engines. Thanks you for not explaining things like you are talking to idiots. I think they call it Mansplaining

[@fredflintstone8048]

The Mexican red paint looks good with the Mexican chrome turbo...

[@joshm3899]

you gave some good tips, i have a 4B and a tahoe. need to turbo the engine, how is the performance?

[@StyleGT]

nice man the music at 11:04 hehehehe man i need to come see ya at the shop bring some hortons and shit

[@donaldconnolly220]

Okay I'm half Canadian.. ... Dad was an Novi............. I'm a mechanic to over 50 years....... I've been trying to understand you.....

[@patrickp4827]

Man, you're awesome!! Wish I was your neighbor! I weld aluminum too -lol

[@standodge7687]

I was feeling down cause my 2012 Silverado ltz flex fuel is having the common lifter problem, I think I am going to get a shop to do a engine swap for me, cause i dont want to part with it

[@davidhamutoff1213]

So on one of your videos I just watched iv Ben thinking of putting a 4bt cumming in my 02 ford Expedition that's lifted but where I live I can't really find any 4bt motors so what esle would be a good 4cycl motor that's a diesel would work in it?

[@sansui1968]

sand casting plugs for removing sand from casting head blocks etc i think an old timer said to me

[@nemo1973]

Appreciate you putting content

[@aaronhumphrey2009]

When the music kicks in at 7:00- pure engine pornography... 'yah,baby, you looking so good !' Hilarious, with lots of useful tips well explained.

[@mariosouthtexas5943]

Wow i been thinking of doin this to my 2014 tahoe but haven't seen any thing on ytube

[@ryanbarbolt3691]

How is the " paint everything with a rattle can and no masking" cool with diesel stuff but is shunned on gas engines?

[@jessekamil892]

Move to min 6.08 the Mexican chrome. Really funny it make my day 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠

[@Straitpaintr]

Do you think a 4BT would be enough power for an E350? Would it fit in a van?

[@MakinEndsMeet69]

Yeah they may go into your water jackets but what they actually are is casting plugs where they had sand casting when they made your block

[@corykeilig5183]

How do you source your engines, specifically the is 4bt engine?

[@jesset2682]

Great videos.. I live a few towns away from you actually.. Have you come across any 8.1L out of 2500 avalanches? What are your thoughts on swapping out my 5.3 out my 08 avalanche to a 8.1L?? any help would be greatly appreciated.. cheers

[@dakotataylor7909]

Cat fight at 4:09 killed me

[@ericdenton3457]

Mexican Chrome. I love to use it. Lmao I love your channel bro. Do you go changing shit. A man that loves animals is a good person. Your a good man. Common sense. 👍👍👍👍

[@vernmeyer4485]

Ok ,I have a 6At turbo Cummings that I would like to make some positive mods on. Do you have any ideas that can help me?? Thanks , for your help.

[@codydayton3573]

How much is the conversion cost . and what kind of trans is good to run in it . id like to keep a 5 speed in my truck .

[@FTC1XBOXLIVE]

You'll be in the 5 digets

[@austinrussell1326]

Rich! I'd like to do a similar swap with my 1999 Yukonn (old body style). What exactly did you have to do to modify the a/c bracket to work with the GM compressor? Also, how did you adapt the original alternator?

[@This0is0pointless]

Last person I expected to use fram filters

[@techman9634]

Could you compare this motor in general to the Duramax 2.8l? I want to know the performance between them I have a old ford ranger and I want to keep it and put a 4BT in it but I want to know if it would be better to buy a new Colorado or canyon with a duramax (I’m a Ford and Dodge fan it’s just curious)

[@Bpf1893]

Nicholas Murphy The Duramax 2.8 is closer to the Cummins 2.8 than the 4BT.

[@dustinkeim179]

So pretty much all stock engine just with a tuned up pump and a 5.9 turbo?

[@Kelly-ig7ci]

I've considered the 4bt for my 95 F150 but I've heard they vibrate. How bad is it at idle?

[@sansui1968]

thanks for video man you must be a good guy i saw yellow striped cats :] .oh look up muggy weld for cool welding rods n such

[@perryreasch1499]

that heater on your intake // can they get something like that for a 1987 6.9 idi ???

[@theconcretecowboy9561]

thinking of 4bt swapping my 03 s15

[@channghiem5012]

What are your thoughts on the isb170? The common rail 4bt? Any experience?

[@jurpikag]

What paint do you use? Brand/type please.

[@perryreasch1499]

you call it a pre heater ?? that is what i wonder if they can put something like that in a 1987 ford 6.9 idi

[@ronaldreed7698]

Isn't the coating a flux?

[@C-DIESELCATC]

Why installing a four cylinder Cummins instead a six 5.7 on the Tahoe

[@tierfuehrer2]

Hi, could you create a playlist for this series? KZbin isnt presenting the following parts like part 2 i.e. on the right side.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

If you go to our main page, go to videos, and then playlists. There are some 40+ lists there and it is one of our earliest

[@thetreyrich1]

any particular reason you went with the block mounted lift pump? i have a 24v so i dont like those.

[@rjuarezgarrido]

Ihave a 2008 colorado w ith a 5 line gas can i make 4bt swap and whattype of transmicion 4x4 for that engine ?

[@TroyBoyReviews]

So with your 6 lug axles your able to tow 12,000 lbs?? Wow that crazy here i am afraid to tow 7,000 lbs with my 2005 chevy 5.3

[@jasoncarpp7742]

A 5.9 litre Cummins Diesel in a Chevy Tahoe? Why not? As long as it fits inside the engine bay, and the gearbox can withstand the power and torque.

[@TheAngryScottsmen]

In your silverado cummins swap... I want to do the same to my 2500 hd silverado i was wondering since engine is like 500lbs heavier how dose it affect the towing capacity...

[@dustinkeim179]

Brian mackenzie the engine is 750lbs, in a 1/2 ton truck or above I wouldn’t worry about that

[@wvboy0311]

5.9or 6 bt is heavier than 750

[@nicholasgreenamyer433]

Good vid. informative. What trans and adapter are you using?

[@59jaguar]

What diesel motor would you suggest to put into a Chevy 87 g20 that currently has a 305 in it?

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

You’re hilarious check the channel we added a new video just for you apparently 😂

[@mauricemotors8207]

I would love a Cummins 4BT in my Nissan hardbody lol how much roughly?

[@Theunitbth]

Hey there! really enjoy watching your videos! I've been thinking about doing a diesel swap in my truck. I wanted to put the 3.9 4bt turbo cummins in, the truck I have is a 2000 Chevrolet c/k 3500 4x4 dually and was wondering if you knew if I could use the same transmission I have in their now? I'm not exactly sure witch transmission it is but if I could would I have to get a adapter for it? And where could I get the adapter from? Thanks for your help!

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

a 4bt is completely underpowered for a dually. Go with a 6bt. You can get the adapter plate and flywheel from Diesel Conversion Speacialists. Get the controller from US Shift.

[@Theunitbth]

Thanks man appreciate it. I got some dumb questions to ask. When I get the flywheel and adapter how do I know witch one to get? Hope you know what I'm talking about lol, and white the adapters does that mean I won't have to do anything with the transmission and transfercase and rear and front driveshafts to make it all work properly ? I have a 5 speed manual transmission so do I still need to get the controller? Thanks again for all the help it's really hard to find good help these days and keep up the awesome videos!!!

[@gerrylewis553]

Can I put a 6bt in a nissan navara???? Or do I use this 4bt

[@dariocarafa3788]

I've always been told when you're brazing you don't want to melt the brazing rod with the flame you want to heat up the material that you're brazing hot enough to melt the brazing rod otherwise you're going to be getting a shitty braze.

[@jiggityyjake2992]

Did the 4bt require a fuel pump in the fuel tank or was the lift pump enough to pull fuel from the tank?

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Lift pump is enough. Disable the factory pump and install a fill neck from a diesel

[@jiggityyjake2992]

DEBOSS GARAGE I'm in a 88 k30 that had been swapped 4bt by a previous owner. Put a new gas tank on it and sending unit designed for a 6.2 diesel and can't get it to pull fuel from the tank but if I stick the fuel line directly in the tank it will prime off the lift pump.

[@Maples01]

I tire from trying to explain that what people refer to as 'freeze' plugs is part of the casting process, the sand formed water jackets, it requires a way to remove it.

[@swart112]

Did you use the GM Tranny, And if so, where did you get the conversion plate at?

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

+scott scottswart440 Yeah, i kept the 4l60E to keep the project simple. Its holding up fine with a massive cooler and temp guage to monitor it. I got the plate from diesel conversion speacialist (formerly Fordcummins.com

[@92f250diesel]

Did the hx35 clear oil filter housing? What position did manifold is up or down? I got 4bt in yj and need to smooth bends out in exhaust

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

I used the manifold off a 5.9. Its in a latter episode. 45* out and down. Tight for the exhaust but clears the filter fine

[@jasonpatterson947]

Awesome to hear how to spool turbo faster w/Mexican chrome. 🤣😂🤣😂

[@chrisserio6682]

Would you be interested in doing a 4bt swap into a Cherokee?

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

I'm up for anything

[@b-rad6978]

+DEBOSS GARAGE Id love to watch this, working towards this swap end of summer.

[@85bcmedic]

Love your videos man thanks for sharing subscribed.

[@stevenscholl439]

I want you to do that too my 94 suburban. 6.5. Is problematic motor

[@wtfobiden]

How does that 04 chevy tahoe odb2 plug in to get inspected to pass inspection?