engine swap need your info

[justgmtrucks]

hey guys out there i need to pick your brain for some info.

I have a 1982 1ton 4x4 longbed crewcab,with a 454 big block with 400 tranny that i use for offroading and towing my toys around. her we go, my question is that my engine is about to go out, the truck was originially a diesel and i was thinking to make a diesel again, but i never had a diesel,
which is better a gas or diesel. if i rebuilt the engine im looking around $5000
just for engine the way i wanted,if i go diesel i was looking at a 6.5 turbo
or the other day i found a 6.2l diesel with a banks turbo out of a wreck millitary blazer with 40,000 miles for $1500.00. which way should i go and how hard is it make it a diesel.

thanks