What is your dream engine/drivetrain combo in a dentside?
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 1
From: Alston, MI
I respect the OP on what his setup would be, but IMO it's stupid to do that to these old fords. To me it's gay as can be to put a diesel and stacks on them. They came from the age where v8s were the best powerplant, they should stay that way.
My dream combo would be two different ones. The first one being my 390 turned into a 445, with the T18 still behind it but beefed up (not like it needs to be).
The other one would be a 500hp 460 with a manual tranny like the t18/ np435, but with an overdrive.
My dream combo would be two different ones. The first one being my 390 turned into a 445, with the T18 still behind it but beefed up (not like it needs to be).
The other one would be a 500hp 460 with a manual tranny like the t18/ np435, but with an overdrive.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
those are a couple of sick setup ideas! i know a diesel doesn't really have its place in an old ford (well, the size matches, but i can see why you wouldn't want one) but pretty much one of the reasons why i'd want a diesel is the fact that i kind of want to know all about those too. would i drop a diesel in my 77? probably not. I'd rather test the limits with a gasser in there (both power and mileage) and then drop a diesel into another old dent for a project. i don't think i'll ever drop anything but a gas motor in my yellow beast. may twin turbo the 400 i have for it someday though.
Someone is running a turbo'd 400 I think there is a vid on youtube
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 1
From: Alston, MI
yeah i was dreaming of twin turboing it after i rode in my buddy's subaru impreza wrx. so i started doing research and found that vid. seems like it takes a LOT of precise tuning to get them just right, and i want to run two so theres no lag haha.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
It'd be a sight to see a twin turbo 400
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
This wasn't in a '73-79...but I recently, at a car show in Pigeon Forge, TN...saw a '65 Ford Crewcab (full four doors) with a custom ladder frame and 6" lift with diesel power (not sure of the engine choice), but it was one sick truck. I wish I would have snapped some photos...not sure why I didn't...I think it was because I was drooling on my camera. I was trying to find out if they even made a crewcab full four door in '65. I don't think they did.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
I respect the OP on what his setup would be, but IMO it's stupid to do that to these old fords. To me it's gay as can be to put a diesel and stacks on them. They came from the age where v8s were the best powerplant, they should stay that way.
My dream combo would be two different ones. The first one being my 390 turned into a 445, with the T18 still behind it but beefed up (not like it needs to be).
The other one would be a 500hp 460 with a manual tranny like the t18/ np435, but with an overdrive.
My dream combo would be two different ones. The first one being my 390 turned into a 445, with the T18 still behind it but beefed up (not like it needs to be).
The other one would be a 500hp 460 with a manual tranny like the t18/ np435, but with an overdrive.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
FE power. but if my truck had had the 460, then that's what i'd want
My 390 moves good enough in the 5700lb truck to make people think twice about it, and its just got the intake carb and headers. I'm very happy with what I have right now!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 263
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From: spotsy va
it think that these trks w a diesel is awesome i have a built mud trk w a bbf in it n always had somekind of trk or car w hp never a diesel but dont want a new trk i luv the dent sides so why not but everyone is doing cummins swaps (not that thats a bad thing)but want to do something different
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: N. IL
I'm some where around half way to my dream setup.
I have a 12 valve cummins, nv4500 5 speed trans, and a dana 80 rear in my 77 F-250. I'm still trying to figure out what transfer case I want to run. I have a divorced np205 sitting in my garage but I'm not sure I want a divorced setup. Eventually I'd like to get a d60 front but I'll test the limits of the d44 first.
I chose to go with the cummins so I could actually afford to drive the truck and have power to pull what I want and need. Someone will chime in about the cost of the conversion and everything. But I have a grand total of $2500 into the entire truck. That is buying the truck and swapping the cummins into it.
Also I don't think there are as many cummins swaps as one might think. I think there are a ton of people that talk and dream, some even start working on them. But, I would guess there is a small percentage of people that never get to a driveable swap.
I have a 12 valve cummins, nv4500 5 speed trans, and a dana 80 rear in my 77 F-250. I'm still trying to figure out what transfer case I want to run. I have a divorced np205 sitting in my garage but I'm not sure I want a divorced setup. Eventually I'd like to get a d60 front but I'll test the limits of the d44 first.
I chose to go with the cummins so I could actually afford to drive the truck and have power to pull what I want and need. Someone will chime in about the cost of the conversion and everything. But I have a grand total of $2500 into the entire truck. That is buying the truck and swapping the cummins into it.
Also I don't think there are as many cummins swaps as one might think. I think there are a ton of people that talk and dream, some even start working on them. But, I would guess there is a small percentage of people that never get to a driveable swap.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
'96 12 valve(pushin 800 with twins), '96 dodge stage six billit auto tranny from ats(rated at 1100+ hp), atlas 2 speed, '79 dana 60 front, 14 bolt rear, 4link front and rear with air bags, and 40" tires. If that doesnt work then I will have to put more and more until I blow all them ricers off the road!