I've been toying with the ideas of a Cummins 5.9 swap, but have the DT literally in my hands.
I have looked around with the Google and found several guys have done the swap for pullin' rigs and the like.
Couple guys are using them for regular drivers too.
I have read about the front to back issues, radiator issues, and using a intercooler.
Would have to do some firewall work for sure with a Cummins, new mounts, new crossmember, diff radiator too, so thinking out loud how much worse could it be to work on the DT swap?
What mods can be done for cheap to the DT?
And I'd have to figure out a tranny option.........
DT 466 power ratings, especially in the 1980s, could be as low as 175HP and about 450 ft lbs. torque. If its a military speced vehicle I would not count on it being a high horsepower version.
The DT466s we have range from 175 h.p to 220 h.p. and none are over 540 ft. lbs. torque. Higher torque ratings are available but require an expensive transmission upgrade.
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Powerstroking Seven T444Es, one VT365 and one 6.0. Also four DT466s, one DT360 and a Mercedes MBE906.
I'm doing my part to reduce food imports, control rising food costs and help feed the children, my trucks run on 100% petroleum diesel. What are you doing?
I just found the specs, and the DT466 is about 5" longer then the 5.9, and weighs about 500 lbs more.
If you can come up with a plan to get the DT466 to fit in there, I would take it over the 5.9, but you will have to factor in the even greater weight it is over the 5.9
EDIT: Looks like I was a bit off on the power ratings, the new DT466, called the Maxxforce DT puts out around 300HP, and most things I've seen placed the DT466 at around 230HP, the old one that is.
Anyways, I would look around to see what your power requirements are, and how much it would cost to meet your needs.
I have heard some bad things about the Allison auto transmissions though. They will last forever at their rated power level, but start to go a little bit over, and it will be blown in no time. The same thing even seems to apply with the ones behind the Duramax.
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- Ian
1987 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 2.9
Needs a lot of work, including some rot on the body, but shes getting there.
Not totally sold one way or the other, but here is what I'm thinking...
DT in hands, little to no cost. The truck is from a bunch of rigs my buddy bought, we have hauled all the 6.2's and the other military blazers and pickups circa 1985.
I've been hauling for him with my pickup and trailer, and there is scrap to cash in on.
All that is left is the IH with the DT466 and one trailer.
Supposedly runs, really good miles on it.
Was driven to where it sits.....year ago maybe.
So, I may have to buy him out with my coin from the scrap, but we're not talking alot. Even so, I may get it for free. We've talked about it.
Would need mounts either 5.9 or the DT. I'll fab them probably. I have a bunch of 5/16" steel here in a bin....
Need rad and intercooler either way.
Need crossmember or fab one either way.
Who knows about the auto tranny in the truck. If it moves the big truck, and looks like it could be used, maybe we'll try.
Otherwise I may try and have an adaptor made from the DT to a handshaker. Or build the dickens out of a auto and run it with coolers and the like. It's only money right?
4wd is going to be kept, I'm thinking a divorced NP205. Have a couple of those.
It's going in a F350, so maybe some heavier springs up front and all that weight can be held and the ride wouldn't be too harsh.
I've read about doing a body lift to accomdate the big motor, I think it could be done,gonna have to track down someone who has one in their pulling truck and get some time with them.
To keep your wheels turnin;
what you're likely to see is a DT with a rotary injector pump, and 210 or less hp. That means a couple things: 1, you'd need to swap to a later style Bosch pump(not too expensive). 2, the turbo isn't the best for any performance.
A handshaker trans would be much more reliable than an Allison. You can get an Alli to hold big power, but obviously takes big bux.
__________________ turn up diesel fuel rate site of mine
67 F100, 300, 4spd, Offy 'C', Edelbrock 500, heddder.
Project: 99 Stupor Duty F250, 2WD, AT545, waiting for DT466(IH power)
I'm still not sold, but leaning hard. Of course I came across a 5.9 Cummins today, for under a $1000, runs tight and seemed all in order. Was a 92', turbo'd.
I really think a Cummins would be the easiest, I have a guy who wil lrebuild my E4OD for stupid cheap (He is our company mechanic and owns a trans shop), he guaranteed it to hold for high torque.
And having an adaptor for several hundred and essentially bolting it up is very appealing.
Of course if the stars aligned and a tranny fell into my lap for the IH motor, then that could motivate me more in that direction.
Lots to decide, I like different swaps, but the truth of the matter is this is my towrig/toy, so I don't need a killer motor.
I just want to get power and mileage and the 5.9 would get me there easiest I figure.
Looks like the P7100 pump swap is fairly involved, different injectors, injector lines, timing cover and bunch of other stuff.
Looks like you can turn the VE pump up somewhat, get an intercooler for it, and I guess you should be able to get somewhere around the 300-350 RWHP range.
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- Ian
1987 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 2.9
Needs a lot of work, including some rot on the body, but shes getting there.
Thanks Jacob, I'm on a couple forums for swaps, I was leaning heavy on the Cummins and started asking questions last year and got laid off so it went on hold.
Of course diesel is through the roof for now, until the bubble bursts, but I plan on doing a alt fuel with the truck when it's done regardless.
A good site is Cummins-conversions.com too. Been looking hard at the Destroked adapters if I go Cummins. Rebuild my tranny and get going........
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