I've been thinking about converting our newly purchased 2000 Xterra to a diesel, and I've been thinking about going the 4bt route. I know the motors twice as much weight as the stock V6, and there'd be a ton of modifying to make it fit and work, but I like the idea of staying with a Cummins, especially since the 4bt is similar enough to the 6bt, that I'd be able to figure my way around it pretty quick.
That being said, with the weight, I've got two questions.
1. What is the addition of around an 800 lb motor going to do to the handling of the Xterra? Is it going to be too much of a weight difference between the front and rear for it to handle safely, on the road?
2. I would most likely be using a Wagoneer axle in the front, and probably try and find a D44 rear to swap in also, so that I could switch out gears to around a 3.55. I'm going more for mileage and DD at this point, rather than wheeling. For now, anyway. With that being said, I'm having a hard time figuring out what springs I should use up front, that would support the weight of the 4bt, while still fitting the wagoneer axle. Would a 1/2 ton pickup spring work, ie Dodge Ram 1500, or would the weight of the 4bt be too much for that? Any suggestions?
That being said, with the weight, I've got two questions.
1. What is the addition of around an 800 lb motor going to do to the handling of the Xterra? Is it going to be too much of a weight difference between the front and rear for it to handle safely, on the road?
2. I would most likely be using a Wagoneer axle in the front, and probably try and find a D44 rear to swap in also, so that I could switch out gears to around a 3.55. I'm going more for mileage and DD at this point, rather than wheeling. For now, anyway. With that being said, I'm having a hard time figuring out what springs I should use up front, that would support the weight of the 4bt, while still fitting the wagoneer axle. Would a 1/2 ton pickup spring work, ie Dodge Ram 1500, or would the weight of the 4bt be too much for that? Any suggestions?