I know these motors came in alot of bread and box trucks and are supposed to be a really good diesel motor but I haven't heard of anyone putting one in an F150. I've seen them put into smaller trucks and jeeps before.

How do you guys think a 4BT would do in a F150 for highway cruising, dailyish driving and light towing? I am sure it would do just as good if not better than the stock 351 in it now.....

 

The 4BT ENGINE is a good choice for an F-150. Power and economy. I know someone who gets about 30mpg with his 96 F-150 with 4BT.. I am not sure how realistic that is for every one.. But it beats the 4.9 he had.

 

They get good fuel economy, but on the highway it will be loud and vibrate a ton.

The 4BTs are not balanced well, and the only way around it is to either get some very soft engine and transmissions mounts or find the extremely rare version with balance shafts.

 

How do you know if you have a balanced one? I wouldn't want it to be annoying to drive on the highway.

 

This thread might help....
Vibration and Noise of 4BT [Archive] - Cummins 4BT & Diesel Conversions Forums

 

Alright thanks. Looks like I'm going to be doing abit of research on that forum!

 

Actually, Ford full size trucks are one of the most common vehicles to swap a 4bt into. Here is a build thread of my 93 F150. 93 F150 with 4BTA

I'm extremely happy with the swap. Mileage is around 24 mpg for mixed highway/city driving. It has more torque than the 300 6 that it replaced. And it is a very simple engine, with no computer, sensors...etc.

Others have mentioned the vibration....it is mostly noticeable at idle but smooths out when cruising. I don't mind it at all. If you are expecting the driving experience to be similar to a new truck, you will be disappointed. If you are willing to accept the fact that a truck can be loud, ride rough and shake, then I think you'd be happy with a 4bt.

 

Thats good to hear. I am definitly considering doing this in the future. Do you have any idea how the 4BT feels compared to the 351w that came in these trucks? I would have to be picky with my trans and gear ratios. I would still want to be able to tow 4000 lbs easily but also run at 80 mph down the highway.

 

My 4bt was conservatively rated at 120 hp and 300 ft/lb tq. A $100 fuel pin, along with a $300 HE341 turbo and injection pump/timing adjustments will yield 175 hp and 425 ft/lb tq.

Towing 4000 lbs is nothing for a 4bt, 80 mph would take a m5r2 or zf5 trans, 3.07 gears and 31"+ tires. They are most efficient in the 1700 - 1900 rpm range.

 

Not trying to make this into a full on swap thread, so I'll just ask the basic questions...

1) Does someone sell the mounting brackets to put the 4BT into a F150 or is this done on a "one off" custom basis?

2) What is typically used for a 5-speed transmission behind the 4BT? Adapter plate to use the original M5OD or something more "native" to the Cummins?

3) Typical fuel mileage from the 4BT?

If there's a link to a write-up on this swap, feel free to just send me there.

 

That kind of sucks I would have to convert to a manual, I am just getting used to being lazy and not shifting. Sounds like the 4BT with the mods you mentioned would be almost the same HP as the 351 but twice the TQ. Any concerns about the F150 frame being strong enough to with stand any twisting?

 

Check out 4BT F150's link in his post above. It's a pretty good build thread.

 

You wouldn't happen to know of a gearing calculator that would help me figure out gearing would you?

 

1. I had built my own motor mounts. However, with 300 6 frame stands from a late 80's F150 and motor mounts from a ford chassis 4bt step van, it will bolt right in.

2. Either the m5r2 or zf5 will work. You will need a fly wheel, adapter plate, and starter, from a ford chassis 4bt powered step van.

3. I get around 24 mpg, which seems to be typical.

 

Google "RPM Calculator" they all work about the same.