I have acquired a 1979 F250 4x4 with the engine removed and have a cummins donor. I have been wanting to do the conversion for some time. I plan to use the truck for fun an profit. I've done lots of research and am concerned about modifying the front cross member for fear of voiding my insurance. Are there any options that leave the cross member intact?
Could the entire power train be tilted up at the front?
It seems that someone, somewhere reduced the oil pan size on the cummins?
I don't really want to do a body lift as a solution.

I'm really hoping I can find a way to proceed but don't want to do the project and be shut down in the future. I also don't want to ask insurance in advance for fear of the answer.
All replies are appreciated.

 

I doubt you can "shave" down the oil pan much. A 3" body lift would work but you don't don't want to do that. I originally had my Cummins in with a 3" body lift. That would leave you with hacking up your tunnel in the cab and maybe the crossmember that the back of your cab bolts to.

I guess in theory you could severely angle the engine, but that would cause a whole slew of other problems like severe vibration in your driveline since you engine and transmission will not be in line with your rear differential.

There really is no easy way around it from what I can see using the NV4500 and transfer case from the Dodge. Maybe other transmissions and such would help make it fit easier.

 

I don't see where or how the cross-member mod would have any effect on insurance? or am i missing something?

co425 care to chime in here?

 

The insurance thought never crossed my mind when I was building my truck. I don't think it's a big issue. Most insurance companies probably don't look that closely even if they are paying out a claim. If you build it right it won't be an issue.

 

(I guess in theory you could severely angle the engine, but that would cause a whole slew of other problems like severe vibration in your driveline since you engine and transmission will not be in line with your rear differential.)

is it possible to turn the diff to compensate? ford offset some of their power trains on a horizontal plane between the tranny and diff.

(There really is no easy way around it from what I can see using the NV4500 and transfer case from the Dodge. Maybe other transmissions and such would help make it fit easier.)

I think the problems that that the 5.9 is a really tall engine


(I don't see where or how the cross-member mod would have any effect on insurance? or am i missing something?)

in some areas they can shut you down for a major modification to a vehicle


(co425 care to chime in here?)

wow - if co425 chimes in I might have to bow and say "I am not worthy" - his build thread is seriously humbling for mere mortals!

 

i had the same thought on my cummins swap question thread and i'll be dipped if he didn't chime in and by golly what a wealth of knowledge.

also another thought if your fab work is good how are they going to know?

also i'm glad i live in oregon you can pretty much do whatever you want to your vehicle within a very small list a requirements

 

(also another thought if your fab work is good how are they going to know?)

exactly - don't you think that will give insurance and DVM ample reason to deny you ( or worse yet refuse a major claim -that could involve open ended liabilities) because it wasn't engineered to some standard. Maybe we need the lawyers to chime in as well! I'm envious of Oregon!

 

We have our share of bs laws but for the most part in terms of vehicles we're pretty free

 

As far as that front crossmember goes I would adhere to a don't ask, don't tell policy. I see no feasible way to get a cummins in without some sort of frame modification.