Which diesel for my 1980 Bronco?

[ErrorS]

I'm doing an engine swap in the near future and I think I'll go diesel if it wont be too difficult or expensive. Ignoring engine prices.. I need to know which diesel I should go with? I don't want to get stupid on budget, couple of thousand minus engine price. I don't want to try to fit some 7L monster in this thing, I think the 5L 302 in it now is the perfect size for acessing it. I know diesel usually means big, but is there one out there 5L or smaller with good torque numbers that would be good for offroading? I'd like to hold out for Ford, but I'm not sure Ford has anything in this range.. 4-5L, 250ft lbs+, does it exist? if not, say I went with one of Ford's monster diesels, which one wuold be best torque for displacement? fuel mileage is pretty important too I'd be bolting it up to a C6.. I think I'd have enough room to thow a 7.3 in here, but no room to work on it.. that's what im trying to avoid.

[mistakenID]

I would go with either a 6.9 from a Ford or a 1st gen 5.9 cummins. An 80 Bronco will have the same amount of room as the early trucks that came with a 6.9 so parts won't be a problem.

The 6.9 is all mechanical so no computer to worry about. You would need to beef up the suspension for the weight. There is another member who has already done the diesel into Bronco swap. I don't recall his name.

The early 5.9 cummins is also a mechanical engine, weighs close to the 6.9 but you would have to fab or buy mounts and adapter to the trans.

[nevrenufhp]

That, or a 4BT Cummins with a few fueling tricks. That would be about 150hp and 300 tq with about 700-750 pounds to deal with. They do make a Cummins adapter to bolt to a small C6.

[gearloose1]

You would have to swap out your fuel tank and all fuel lines to diesel grade stuff.

Otherwise, the water in diesel will rust everything out very quickly.

[ErrorS]

I really don't want to go with anything that big.. I realize I just dont have many options.

What about that 05' diesel in the range rover? the v6? the idea of putting one of those in my bronco just plain stupid? its perfect for what im wanting

[mistakenID]

I would imagine that being an 05' your going to have to deal with computers, sensors, wiring harness, cat, along with the mounts, what trans to use or if there's an adapter (doubtful) If you use the trans and transfer case then you need to adapt drive lines

Sure it could be done but how much time and $$'s are you willing to part with?

[ErrorS]

yeah, I think an 05 is just stupid.. even if I could find one for a decent price, getting everything to work would be a pain. Even with swapping in complete drivetrain an 05 has sensors running from engine to just about every part on the vehicle.. Cat converter was one good reminder of that..

gotta wonder what advantages I'd have with an older diesel. I can get maybe 10mpg city with a 400 with similar power figures (with a few cheap upgrades) to any of the older diesels and it's about 100lbs lighter.

would I get at least 40% mpg better with a 6.9 against the ford 6.6gas engine? I'd need something that could do 16mpg or better city to make it worth it I think.

[nevrenufhp]

You should get around 20mpg with a 6.9 but they were like 190hp & 3XX(something) for tq.

[ErrorS]

20mpg.. CITY?! 300+ ft lbs?

dude, if you're serious, you just sold me on it.

[kenpobuck]

How about 17-18 mpg mixed?! I swapped a 6.9 into my 88 Bronco. There is just as much room as you would have with a 400 but better mileage both empty and towing. If you look around you can find a ragged out truck with a 6.9 or 7.3 IDI with 4x4 and swap it all out. I bought the whole donor for $1100 and put some more into it (bearings, oil pump, glowplugs). I swapped out the whole suspension as the dana 44 in the Bronco will not hold the wieght of the diesel (the spindles and bearings) and the 8.8rear will come apart if you try to use it to it's full potential pulling lol. I could go on forever on the ins and outs of this swap but I am real happy with it to say the least.

[ErrorS]

this has the 9'' rear end, so im not worried about that.. plus they sold this year bronco with the 400, if it can handle the 400 I'm sure the 6.9 diesel wont be an issue. I'll beef up the suspension in the front anyways as mine came with the 302, plus i'd like it lifted.

[kenpobuck]

The 6.9 is almost 1000lbs. Besides if you do this swap it is easier with the donor as you will need the tranny as well. The trans was diesel only and you will also need the front drive shaft. The rear shaft will have to be custom. Using the 3/4 ton suspesion all the way around gave me a big lift on it's own. Just beefing up the front suspension will not do it, it is the spindles and bearings that will not handle the wieght. As far as using the 9 inch they are tuff but not as tuff as a dana 60 or 10.25 full floater. If you would like I could pm you my phone # so I could go into detail on this swap.

[ErrorS]

let me have money in hand first, im just playing with ideas at the moment. I love the bronco, i love the way it feels and I think it would make a great daily driver, just cant afford to maintain or gas up the old carb'ed V8s these things use.

1k is a few hundred bigger than the 6.6 gas.. you cant argue with that gas mileage though.

[kenpobuck]

One other thing about useing the 3/4 ton suspension. After putting it in I now have nearly no body roll. That is a far cry from the heavy lean of the stock Bronco suspension.

[ErrorS]

I worry about it being too stiff.

I am gonna keep an eye out for a doner truck, if the right one pops up ill go ahead and buy it.. anything special I should be looking for?

6.9 or 7.3 doner, any specific years I should keep an eye out for? I wanted to keep my C6 but whatever, if I'm gonna do it I'll go all out.

Engine, tranny, t-case, front end.. hell, I'll use this oppurtunity to go solid front axle.

Not a bad idea, find a good 4x4 doner truck with a diesel, it'd give me a 3/4 ton bronco. I bet I can do it for 2grand if I'm smart about it (and im usually not)