6.9idi swap
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6.9idi swap
hi i was thinking of buying a 1986 Ford F350 6.9 non turbo diesel 2wd dually truck with a C6 automatic transmission. and swapping it into a 1985 Ford F250 4x4 . how hard will it be? both trucks are single cab long beds
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Well Dad always said as long as you have a welder, a torch and plenty of cold bud light anything can be done. I'm not sure about your engine chairs but you will have to swap fuel tanks and a few cross members. I would switch the cabs but if you chose not to then definitely the wiring harness. Also some in dash and under dash components for the glow plugs and what not. Other then that a non-turbo diesel swap is pretty straight forward.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
The biggest thing is the radiator. Most of the diesels have a special extra large radiator support to accommodate the huge radiator that they use. Since both trucks are 86-dwn, that should not be a problem swapping those out, but it becomes a problem when crossing years to the newer body styles with different frontends.
The old diesel needs only one wire to run, a 12v "ignition on" wire going to the injection pump(I know, the diesel doesn't have a ignition). You can also swap over the dual batteries. You will need to install the glowplug system, but it can be a simple pushbutton to activate the glowplug relay to heat plugs.
You should have everything you need on the diesel truck, including the engine mounting plates. The fuel tanks on the diesels do have a return fuel line fitting, so you will need to swap tanks or sending units, or add a return line to your gas tanks.
The old diesel needs only one wire to run, a 12v "ignition on" wire going to the injection pump(I know, the diesel doesn't have a ignition). You can also swap over the dual batteries. You will need to install the glowplug system, but it can be a simple pushbutton to activate the glowplug relay to heat plugs.
You should have everything you need on the diesel truck, including the engine mounting plates. The fuel tanks on the diesels do have a return fuel line fitting, so you will need to swap tanks or sending units, or add a return line to your gas tanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
One big question hasn't been answered, which is what motor is in the 85 now? There is a little bit of a frame difference with the 302/351W for oil filter clearance. Otherwise, other than the rad support, the swap isn't terrible, but the trans will need to be either reworked or find a 4x4 trans if auto to get the 4x4 to work out. if it is a manual, you would need a diesel bell and flywheel/clutch setup.
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