What i think might be ideal for a 1/2 ton is the Mercedes diesel from a car..
Carful with that one...I would shoot for a donor that is turbo. I have a 1980 mercedes 300 wagon,nonturbo deisel that was given to me a few years ago. I use it as a part time driver part time tinker toy. I like messing with it as my experience is working on 5.9 cummins and DT466s and it is, other than a cylinder missing, basicly the same.
Runs good on $2.20 a gal fuel oil too.
It is a DOG. I live 25 mi from work, I think I finally hit 60 about 5mi. from work....SO it is 0-60 in 20mi.
Although I never tried to figure out the gearing in the rear. It may do pretty well infront of about a 4:11. With this said I have to admit one of the first times I raised the hood on it I had the thought of that engine in a little ford ranger or something. It definatly would be easy. Power to crank it over with a manual shut down cable, and a one wire alternator. NO ignition system to deal with
. Plus the "clatter" sound it makes is fun to listen to.
