You can drop an LS into anything... just like you can drop a BT into anything... it’s all about the shoehorn and dollar you use.

 

Last year I found a low miles wrecker 2012 chevy 2500 LS 6.0 (360HP) and 6L80 transmission (4by) complete for $2600, came with a six month warranty.

The biggest issues will be getting your dash (tach and speedo) to work correctly. There frequency converter available to fix those issues. I wouldn't be afraid to put one into my 2001 dodge.

My real issue with build up a mopar engine is dealing with the crappy 46re.

Not sure how much you guys have driven trucks with the NV4500, but they shift pretty sloppy when worn out. The NV5600 or G56 is a better transmission for performance

 

The 46RE really isn't that bad of a trans, it can last a good long time if taken care of, and not abused. It can also be built to survive behind just about anything you can convince your 5.9 to dish out, regardless of what you do to it. It's major malfunction is its age, only 4 speeds, and a bad reputation. A 6.0 with 6L80 trans would be awesome. Torque monster, and the extra gearing would actually give you somewhat better gas mileage. I think it would take a couple decades for the fuel savings to pay for the conversion though, as the controllers for the transmissions are not inexpensive...... Would be an interesting project.

But, if you wanted to stick with a mopar engine/trans, Chrysler offers engine/trans combos complete with all the electronics as well. But, they sure ain't cheap.

 

Well said HeyYou, but its much cheaper than buying a new truck. All the new trucks look the same and look like something off transformers movie set. I tend to dent/beat up my trucks.I've already removed most of the bedliner and dented up the bed on my near mint 2001 truck bed. Stuff just isn't built to last these days.

I really like the 2001 as its small enough to be a fun city beater that still be used for some work hauling but forget pulling anything. I had a slow 2008 dodge 1500 quad cab with a 5.7L hemi 4x4 (3.55 gears) and it couldn't tow anything over 8000 lbs very fast. It got pretty crappy fuel mileage. I also had a 6.1L and 6.4L hemi's over the years. Both guzzle way to much gas for what they doing.

The 6L80 works pretty decent and would fix alot of issues of having 3.55 gears and 33in tires.

 

Yeah, I don't wanna tow in my truck at any appreciable speed either.... I have 33's, and 4.56 gears though... so, O/D on the freeway, max speed is around 50-55, else the engine is screaming, and I can literally watch my gas gauge go down....... Fortunately though, my truck simply doesn't care how much weight is behind it. It barely noticed a 12' dump trailer full of moist dirt... (I figure total with trailer/load to be around 9000 lbs.) Sure rode nice with the weight though. Almost Cadillac smooth. Gas mileage TRULY sucked.