Grigg,
As you know I like Detroits, but seeing that he stated "1-Ton" I hesitated to say Detroit in a 1-Ton truck...
What is your opinion of a Detroit in a 1-Ton?..
Bill
I was thinking about that after I submitted my thoughts too.
A 4-53 really is on the large side for a 1 ton, and was never a factory option in a 1 ton.
However, I owned one Chevy 1 ton pickup with a 4-53, so now that I think about it my comments still have merit in this discussion. And I had a F350 with a 6V53 Detroit, which is pretty much overkill for a 1 ton.
About Detroit's in pickups... I think a 4-53 or 4-53T deserves at least a 3/4 ton, preferably a 1 ton. I think a 3-53 will get by in a 3/4 ton, might be OK in a 1 ton, and a 3-53T would obviously be better in either.
About aluminum Detroits, the only ones you'll easily find are the aluminum block 3-53 from a Gama Goat. If I had a free one in good shape I'd probably put it in something, but if I had to buy a 3-53 I'd pick an iron one over an aluminum one, and a turbo if at all possible. Nothing really wrong with them, but not outstanding or special in my mind, and it's not that much weight savings.
As far as I can tell they never made an aluminum 4-53.
Grigg
