Detroit Diesel Pickups

Some folks just aren't satisfied with a conventional diesel truck, so they swap in a 2 stroke Detroit Diesel. Parts are everywhere, they made them forever, and they come in small enough configurations to use in pickups. Just as much torque as the gas V8, but over 30 mpg in many cases.
People have used 2-53's (2 cylinder, 53 cu in per cylinder) all the way up to 4-71's.






Even a modern 2005 Durascrap was replaced with a tried and true DD.

What kind of vehicles do these engines come out of?

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Originally Posted by misterdecibel

What kind of vehicles do these engines come out of?

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2 and 3 cylinder engines can come from heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, loaders, or generators. 4 cylinder Detroits can come from heavy equipment as well, but were also installed in busses and medium duty trucks in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. They can be had for relatively little money(under $1200) and parts will be made for decades to come (because of foreign popularity).

The 71 Series was introduced in 1937 and produced into the 1990's. The 53 series began production in the late 1950's. Detroit also made a 92 Series, a 110 Series, and a 149 Series.

For an example of cheap see http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/2047274272.html

Cheap RV/bus http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/1979368925.html

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Originally Posted by dieseleverything

2 and 3 cylinder engines can come from heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, loaders, or generators. 4 cylinder Detroits can come from heavy equipment as well, but were also installed in busses and medium duty trucks in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. They can be had for relatively little money(under $1200) and parts will be made for decades to come (because of foreign popularity).

The 71 Series was introduced in 1937 and produced into the 1990's. The 53 series began production in the late 1950's. Detroit also made a 92 Series, a 110 Series, and a 149 Series.

For an example of cheap see http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/2047274272.html

Cheap RV/bus http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/1979368925.html

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What are the downsides, if any, relative to a 4-stroke diesel?

What transmissions can you use with these engines?

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Originally Posted by Eric

What are the downsides, if any, relative to a 4-stroke diesel?

What transmissions can you use with these engines?

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Down sides are a narrow power band that peaks at a high rpm (near redline), they don't like to lug, they are louder, and they have more vibration. They actually run better at a set high speed (like a generator), which is why they were used in buses.

The upside it that it has twice the power strokes versus a 4 stroke.



Transmissions available depend on the application, but supposedly anything with a SAE#2 or SAE#3 clutch housing will work. Popular transmissions to use are the SM420, SM465, and the T5. Of course the narrower power band can be put to full use by having a two-speed auxiliary transmission, but this is not necessary if the truck will never haul or pull heavy loads.

Looks like fun to me.