The 5.9 cummins is about 1k lbs. My 2002 dodge was avaiable in either a 3.54 or a 4.10. I think the newer ones are only 3.73. The NV4500 5 speed is 0.75 and the NV5600 6 speed is 0.73. The NV4500 weighs 250lbs and the NV5600 weighs 360lbs. You may be able to make it work in a larger truck but I think it is too heavy for a pickup.
The most cost effective route is a small block chevy. The extra cost to put in a diesel will buy a lot of gas.
