Well as a few of you know I sometimes get a wild hair up my **** and decide to do something that as far as I know, has never been done before. And probably for good reason.

The "truck" is a 1974 Ranchero 500, we call her Roxan, "Roxy" for short. I had big plans for her but the truth is there's do much inner panel rust to be able to fix her so she will be around for a few more years. I cant sell her because I'm in love with that ugly thing.

The engine is a recently acquired 6.9L IDI that has been rebuilt than blown up. Luckily this "blown" up engine just had a failed gasket. And internally is fine.

The plan is to stud the 6.9, throw a big turbo on it, run dual stacks, a heavy duty front bumper with brush guard, and a heavy duty rear bumper.

To my knowledge there has never been a diesel Ranchero built. But the engine bay is considerably larger than my other fords so ill make her fit.

Here are some pics:





Before I start hacking away I figured id get some opinions first

 

I like unique.. or as some would say odd, projects. If it were me, id find a set of D60's and some 35s to go with it, but thats just me. Friend of an old gf had a 70 'camino on 35s w/ a 383... that thing was a blast.

 

i say low slung highway cruiser, 3.07 or lower gear, chillin at 1600 at 75 mph....econochero!

 

possibly new project name? haha

As far as lifted 4x4 I have seen it before. It would be cool but Im lifting my half ton with a dana 60. I dont need 3 4x4's haha

I was thinking eather way with that 6.9 and my C6 I could hit 25-30mpg highway. I can cut out alot of metal from that thing to save weight.

Already has a 9" rear with traction bars. I might be set

 

If you C6 is from a gasser, it will not bolt up to the 6.9. I think you may be overly optimistic to see those kind of fuel figures with a C6. You may get closer to those figures with an E4OD, but you would have to us an after market controler for that tranny.

 

The C6 is from a 460. You don't think the pattern will match? If not I have a 4speed

 

Diesel bellhousing is specific to the IDI's only. Gasser or PSD trannies will not bolt up without modification.

 

Go to post #9 in this thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8808058 you will see the difference in a 460 bolt pattern and a diesel bolt pattern. All 6.9, 7.3IDI, and 7.3 Powerstroke use the same transmission bolt pattern. The only difference is the 6.9 used a t19 4spd tranny that used a bell housing the 7.3 used the ZF5 manual that had the bell in the tranny like the auto trannys have. Of course Ford used the C6 and the E4OD autos behind the diesels, but they also have the diesel specific pattern.

 

7.3 PSD does NOT have the same bellhousing pattern as the IDI's.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-6-9-idi.html

 

Ok, we're both half right. OBS 7.3 has same pattern, 99+ 7.3 does not. So not ALL 7.3 psd's share the same pattern. I know when asked about a ZF6 swap in my old 85, it was overwhelmingly shot down due to bellhousing differences.

 

Well that sucks... i was not aware of this seeming insignifigant differences in the OBS-SD 7.3 and was planning on a ZF6 for my little project. Hearing that, and knowing the larger output shaft on the ZF6.. im thinking these are signs to go another route. just out of curiosity, how far off is the ZF6 pattern from an IDI, as in is it "doable" or "dont waste your time"

 

Don't know how far off it is. I know that a 460 ZF5 can be modded to fit fairly easily, so I can't see the ZF6 being horribly hard. But it could also be way off for all we know.

 

I would call Pacific Steel & Recycling to come have them take that car off of my property because they'd pay me $300-$500 for scrap. Then I'd put the desired motor setup into a truck or SUV.

 

wrong agin

ZF6 same pattern as ZF5