I have a not quite small engine in my truck, a 4-53T Detroit Diesel.
I have heard of a guy in MD with a 3800 (1 ton pickup) and a 4BT Cummins in it, have yet to see it, hope to catch him at a truck show one day.
I feel that the 4BT is just a tad on the heavy side for a 1/2 ton truck, but it is a doable project, and should get very respectable mileage.
My 4-53T should be in a 1 ton or larger.
A 3-53T would be at home in a 3/4 ton, and again, just a tad heavy for a 1/2 ton, but could be (and has been) done and works fine.
A VW diesel would be under powered in a 1/2 ton truck. I have a 98 TDI Jetta, and with a computer chip and different injectors it is very fun to drive, and over 45 mpg too. In a heavier vehicle it would be not so fun, and mileage would be worse. An old non turbo VW is hardly enough to move the stock car, best to leave those alone.
Grigg
