Guys,
I built my truck in 1999 and drove it daily for over 12 years. It was a factory short bed supercab 1978 F100 and I converted it with a 1978 F250 organ donor. I had pictures on my profile, but web changes have occurred.
I need advice. The 400M (408 now) is getting tired and the granny 4-speed pops out of third sometimes. I can buy a 1997 F250 Powerstroke 4x4 supercab E04D running with 185k miles for $3500. The truck title was caught up in a legal battle and it has been a farm truck for years.
Both trucks have a 139" wheelbase. TALK ME OUT OF THIS. I don't know if I've got the energy for a body swap or a drivetrain swap, but either way I need to do this. I think.
I did search 7.3 swaps on here, but I will have an entire running truck.
I just can't talk myself out of it. I need a voice of reason.

 

You've come to the wrong place for reason cuz we're gonna say "Do it!"

Seriously, that's a sweet rig.. Really nice visual proportions.

A better option is to find a 12V Cummins... less finicky setup.

Say... what are the fender flares from? Bushwackers?

 

yup that truck with a 12v would be awsome.

 

The deal is on a running 7.3 4wd with the same wheelbase. I think it's too good to pass up.

 

Do it.! Do it! Do it!..... I "had" (stoopid divorce) a 2wd 97 F350 CC drw with kelderman air ride, was all stock as far as power went but damn that thing could haul a load of concrete like 5ton. 7.3 still a great motor IMO but I have a cummins now

 

Not bad mileage just getting warmed up, but can you get the title for it now? I believe you are going to need it to get it titled after the swap? DMV question.

Put the word out to the SC FTE chapter for help on the swap. Yes you will need it.

"Voice of reason" will not come from here. Make sure you do a build thread and take pics cause we all love pics.

Where did you get those jinormus wind deflectors on the front doors on that awesome truck you have?

FYI (I believe they changed in 96) you will have a metric wheel lug pattern of 8 on 177MM

 

Member for nine years. Seven posts. Still an active member. Huh.

 

Well the last time he did the swap it took year....so he is not a everyday FTE kinda guy....so what. lol

 

They are Bushwhacker flares and those are jumbo Ventshades. They haven't made them in a while. I've about decided just to pass on this. I can keep driving her the way she is.

 

Ya what you have now is still very nice and its a lot less work.

Since you already did the hard work once, why again?

 

That is a great looking truck and i think a drivetrain swap to the psd would put your rig over the top. I vote do it!

 

one question the 97 ex cab short bed with auto? over in the power stroke section either here or power stroke nation they were saying that was never built that to get the auto it had to be a long bed ?
just curious

 

The old guy bought it new this way. Not sure how early in 97 production year it was made. Wanted to put a pic of my other truck on this reply but I can't figure out how.

 

Do you have roughly $5,000 minimum (includes cost of PSD) to do all this?

Is it worth $5,000 to you?

How many times could you rebuild the 400 and 4spd or swap to a 460 5spd setup for $5,000?

Your truck is very nice looking and it would be cool to have a PSD in it. I think the body swap would be the easier route with better end result, having more modern suspension and less one-off parts makes replacement parts easier to come by.

The real question is what do you want the truck to do, intended uses?

 

I really appreciate the input I've gotten. The electrical aspect I would have to deal with long term is probably going to keep me from doing it. Rebuilding the granny 4 speed and brakes will do fine. Thanks.