Detroit 6v73t burb

[silverbullet01]

hey guys
the turbo 400 in my 84 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban went a few months back, and my tucker out old 305 is in need of a freshen up. so my thoughts are to say screw it, and put a detroit 6v73t with a eaton 9 speed in it! i just want to know if anybody on here has done/know someone who has done this before, i need lots and lots of info, and pictures if possible, anything at all will help me along as i have never attempted a swap of this nature, thanks guys!

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by silverbullet01

hey guys
the turbo 400 in my 84 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban went a few months back, and my tucker out old 305 is in need of a freshen up. so my thoughts are to say screw it, and put a detroit 6v73t with a eaton 9 speed in it! i just want to know if anybody on here has done/know someone who has done this before, i need lots and lots of info, and pictures if possible, anything at all will help me along as i have never attempted a swap of this nature, thanks guys!

The 6V73t is too heavy and physically too large for our trucks. If you're interested in a diesel repower, the Cummins 6BT is about as big and heavy of an engine that can be shoehorned under the hood. It can also put out a lot more power than that the Detroit and burn less fuel.

[greguw]

I would go for it ... I'm in the process of doing my 1990 and with all the frame and suspension work my build would hold a Detroit with no problem .
There is a pic floating around of a guy who did a K30 and it looks great and I think he has a link on youtube .

[silverbullet01]

lol going for it is the plan, there is a GMC brigadier with 6v71( thats what i meant to write in the thread but was wayy too tired to notice that i put 73) and a eaton 9 speed im in the process of buying, the motor alone weighs roughly 2000 ibs, im running a 44 front atm, and unless i can web it and do other mods im going to have to up it to a dana 60, then start adding springs to hold it up. i have a divorced case im going to use, although ill have to alter the tranny tunel to accomodate that big 9 speed.. i know that there are much easier motor to swap to, but i want a detroit, and you dont see 6v's in squares.

[Berg]

Personally I'd do a 3-53T or a 4-53T Silver with a Jake brake on it. I've seen a few old GM's with this swap and it is a lot easier to do with a lot less mods. You may also want to think about running a 2" or 3" body lift to fit everything a little easier. Check out youtube for some cool swaps. I know they don't have as much power as a 6-71 but there is nothing like a screamin Jimmy! You may also think about maybe running something like a Clark 5 speed or an SM465 with a Ranger torque splitter or something along those lines. I kind of like the idea of twin sticks but I know it can get old fast. You may also want to think about going with stiff K30 springs and running a Dana 60 Kingpin. I'd just hate to see you rip this thing apart and then give up on it. There are a bunch of guys who have done the Inline 3's and 4's and use them all the time.

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by Berg

You may also want to think about going with stiff K30 springs and running a Dana 60 Kingpin. I'd just hate to see you rip this thing apart and then give up on it. There are a bunch of guys who have done the Inline 3's and 4's and use them all the time.

You'll need something a lot stiffer than K30 springs for a 6V71. That's the spring I'm using to hold up my 6BT Cummins which at 1100 lbs is about half the weight of a 6V71.

[greguw]

Deaver springs are the way to go ...They will build them to your needs .

[silverbullet01]

i agree the 6v71 is a bit large for the project, but im just not sure if a 453t would have the power i want. i also have a bull low 4 speed with a divorced case i was thinking about using, 4 speed standards for 4x4's around here are very scarce, and dana 60's are next to impossible to find.. has anybody on here ever been in or owned a 453t in one of these rigs?

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by silverbullet01

i agree the 6v71 is a bit large for the project, but im just not sure if a 453t would have the power i want. i also have a bull low 4 speed with a divorced case i was thinking about using, 4 speed standards for 4x4's around here are very scarce, and dana 60's are next to impossible to find.. has anybody on here ever been in or owned a 453t in one of these rigs?

I know of someone who had a 453T in a 1975 Chevy pickup. It was used to tow a 35 ft travel trailer. With the setup, top speed towing was about 50 mph level and it would crawl up hills at 10 mph. He later traded it in for a Dodge Cummins and was much more satisfied with the much better power and better fuel economy.

Have you thought of using a DT466? Someone managed to stuff this engine into a Ford F350 not too long ago.

The 2 cycle Detroits sound real cool but they're just not that practical in a pickup truck.

[Dieselwrencher]

I'd say do it! I put a 8V92 in a 86 K30 years ago. No the stock fire wall wasn't all stock. I also put a DT466 in my 76 a few years ago. So, it can be done. If you have it use it.

[Chevyman350]

What about a 6v53?