Can an H1 gasser be converted to diesel?

[Tractordoll]

Hi All I ran across an interesting deal fairly close to me on a relatively low miles H1 wagon but it's a gasser not a diesel. What I am wondering is if it's possible to convert a gas powered truck to run on diesel or keep looking for a diesel one? What I was thinking is that I could buy the truck, drive it for a few years and when the time came do a diesel swap when I am ready to start investing some serious money into it. When that day came i was thinking that a predator, mash motors, etc sort of diesel swap instead of putting in another gas engine. Or is this just a flight of fancy? Does anyonre know if anyone has done this and what the associated cost might be? Or is it better to hold out and look for a diesel powered truck?

I am only asking because I have heard, though not experienced this first hand, that the H1 gas powered truck is under powered and not a very good trail rig. That defeats the purpose of having the truck since I want a trail rig and not a pavement princess. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[3Hummers]

Angela I have never owned a gasser but the consensus is as you described, they are under powered, get even worse mileage than a diesel and have a lower resale value. That said, there are some gasser owners on humvee.net that love their gassers. I know that there have been some gas to diesel conversions done but don't know exact costs. I do know that it is far cheaper to buy a nice diesel H1 than it is to get a steal deal on a gasser and convert it.
a 6.5 TD reman short/long block will run $6000/$8000. With add ons like the right starter, alternator etc it would run the cost up more. Labor would/could be $2-3000. Probably looking at 10-12K to drop in a reman or $4-5000 to drop in a take out motor. I used a 10K mile take out heavy block for my 98 when I replaced that engine.
Obviously the Cummins and Duramax conversion are more expensive. I think Cummins swaps go from about 18K-22K and Duramax conversions start at about 25K.
For wheeling the diesel will generate the torque you need at lower rpms which will give you better control.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

David nailed it on the head! It would cost around 10-12k range to convert it. If you would mostly drive it around town and off road, and not the highway, I think you can't really go wrong. They aren't that bad, I have ridden in a friends of mine, and its not bad, if you are driving less than 45 mph:wink:

 

[06 H3]

I would only buy a gasser if I was intending on doing a dmax or cummins swap. I wheeled with a gasser once before and it sounded like a hybrid compared to that diesel sound.

 

[Scarsman]

You could also build a pretty stout gas motor for much less than a diesel. Just a thought.

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[Kurt]

Yeah, you have the option of supercharging the gas motor, and honestly the 350 is the most common engine out there, that means any shop can work on it. and you'll have plenty of modification options.

Another up shot is it would be quiet.

If I had a gasser and I did a swap, and if I could get it legal with the DMV, then I would track down a vortec 8100 from a suburban. 8.1L big block, it fits in there.

AM General played around with the idea of bringing back the gas H1 around 2002-2004 with the 8.1L and they built 3-4 trucks with it. Performance is comparable to the Duramax I was told.

 

[Tractordoll]

Here is the truck that I was thinking of. I will probably swing by this weekend and take a look at it. The price seems a bit high to me and I have seen other gassers go for under 20K in my area. Maybe the interior is spotless or something, I won't know until I check it out in person.

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/3084704205.html

I figured if I could get the truck for 20K and a 20K diesel swap plus I'm already a certifiable Hummer modder, so what's another truck to work on? :giggle: If I did do the diesel swap I would do it right and have it done by a pro like predator. In the other hand I can just wait it out for the right deal to come along.

 

[MaxPF]

Looks like a perfect vehicle for a Cummins swap.

 

[06 H3]

Id ask for more pics

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[3Hummers]

Definitely would ask for more pictures. I can't even tell if the truck has CTIS or not.

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

From the limited pictures it looks in good shape, but that really dosent say anything. IMO I would wait it out for the right rig to come along. You already have 3 hummers, its not like they will run away and you will need another one right away.