I am looking at dropping a 7.3 Power Stroke into a Full Frame 1972 to 1979 Ranchero. I'd like some info that I haven't seen as well as personal info from those that have a Power Stroke in there F-250 or F-350 or Van.
1)What trans do you have and are you happy with it?
2) What is your mileage around town and on the highway(not pulling or hauling-just empty)
3) What is your mileage around town and on the highway with a load or pulling
4) What is the weight of your Truck or Van and what is the height to the top of the hood and to the top of the roof?

 

Stock auto transmission is a 4R100, they can be built to be bulletproof for around $4500. The manuals are ZF6 speed. The manuals have no real issues.

Mileage around town will vary from under 10 MPG to 15 MPG depending on your foot. Highway mileage can be in the low 20's if careful and lower as the RPM's are elevated.

Towing mileage is usually around 10-12 MPG highway. Don't know of anyone who really checks it in town.

Standard CCLB will run about 8500 pounds.

Hood height and cab height vary depending on the model and tire size.

 

I drive a 1997 E350 7.3 which I have owned since new. The stock motor and automatic transmission have 218,000 and neither have ever been apart. I'm very happy with both.

Longest highway trip was in 2002 when I drove it from Jenkintown, PA to Oklahoma City, OK and towed back a 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire. I got 21 MPG on the way out and 13 on the way back. Around town averages 12-14.

GVWR on the van is 9500; I usually run it around half loaded.

 

wouldn't the year motor come into play as to what trans would bolt to it?

 

This the kind of stuff I was looking for. It looks like the 6.9 C-6 bolted up to the 7.3 Power Stroke ( maybe with a custom converter) and the Gear vender O/D will be the cheapest and best trans to use. I can build a C-6 all day long for a few hundred dollars in parts. The O/D is right at $2,500 and the converter depends on if I can use a stock one or custom. Far less than $4,500 to redo a trans I can't work on!
The 1972 to 1979 Ranchero is a very low profile Truck/Car so it will be pushing much less air(aka drag) so if a F-350 can get 21mpg on the road the Ranchero being lower and with less weight(what at least a ton less weight?) should be able to get an easy 25 to 30mpg.

 

ive stuffed a bunch of big motors in small cars and trucks over the years and i would think you would have to set it back very far in the doghouse (engine bay) to get it to handle right this motor is very heavy . i was considering putting one in a bronco frame but that sucker is big and heavy!years ago i had a couple of v-8 vegas and they didnt handle very well due to the frt end weight but straight line look out! cool idea though lots of power availible from these motors.im gonna watch for your progress good luck