diesel engine swap advice

[chiro22]

Looks like it's time for a new engine in my 1973 Cheyenne. It had a Chevy 350 crate and the cost to rebuild would be comparable to buying a new one.

It got me thinking...and I haven't done much research yet, but if I'm getting a new engine, what about a Diesel? My truck is fairly stock, automatic. I'm sure this is a long complex answer, but just wanted to get a sense of what's possible.

Which Diesel engines would you recommend that aren't too expensive (budget is about 2k) that would be a fairly simple bolt in? would I need to change out my transmission or could I add some type of conversion kit? and what am I absolutely overlooking?

Thanks.