4bt or 6bt into a K5 blazer

[DougKrebs]

I drove and wheeled (off-roading) my K5 all through college to the point where every body panel is dented from many off road trips. In college I always dreamed of graduating and buying a 96-98 12 valve and pulling a gooseneck with the K5 and a rock buggy. Well reality hits when you want to buy land and build a house.

Right now I'm driving a 96 Ford 150 with the inline six (300CI) and it's nice and it tows decent, but I liked my blazers ability to handle muddy roads, ranch roads, etc... better.

So 2 weeks ago I get a good deal on a new blazer body and found out it had been a diesel. So I get to thinking about how a diesel blazer would be nice to have. Good MPG, power, and off road ability. I first thought of the GM diesels that were orginally in it, but I know these diesels are gutless. So I've decided on a cummins.

I know plenty of mechnical knowledge from offroading to make it work, but I lack diesel knowledge. So I'm starting to look at the 4bt and the 6bt options. I really don't care about fitting them in, if it's a problem I can cut out the fire wall and move it back. I plan on doing a custom dash anyways.

So would the 6bt be a better option for the obvious power gains? I'd probably leave the 6bt stock as I'm not looking for huge power. Whats the difference in economy? I've heard it's pretty negligible.

What are sources for these engines? Obviously the 6bt could come from dodges. Where else can they be found? Whats the best year to use? I know 4bt can come from bread trucks and are usually coupled with an SM465.

I'll probably use an NV4500 and a 205, but I've also thought about using a SM465 with a gear vendor overdrive and NP205.

So what is ya'lls advice? Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks - Doug Krebs