Crazy idea
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Freshman User
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Crazy idea
I have an idea for a truck build that might seem a little crazy. I was considering taking an old 91 F150 I have that is only two wheel drive and somewhat low to the ground and making a diesel build. It has the legendary 300 straight six but I was thinking about using that engine in a different truck. I know I need to vastly compensate for the mass difference in weight from a Small block gas engine to a Diesel engine, I am just wondering on suggestions maybe on suspension routes I should go and what size of an engine would be best suited. I am looking for it to more of a hot rod truck for the road, not hauling. Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Personally if I were to do the above I would build a 4bt cummins engine. They weigh less then a full size cummins and more. I have seen it done before I just can't remember where.
Trav
Trav
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: South Central,MO
There is a guy in Tennessee that puts tractor engines in 1/2 ton pickups. I've seen a few videos and looks like it works really well. It's called Shade Tree Conversions. Pretty cool. I like the 4BT idea, too Trav!
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Yeah both ideas sound pretty intriguing. Those small cummins can be found in what cars usually? Maybe I can find a decent one in a junkyard instead of paying the average price that keeps popping up. Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Evan is correct.
To tell you the truth I rarely ever say to put a cummins in a Ford personally I am against the idea of swapping other brand engines into a specific brand vehicle but it is your truck. That idea actually was told to me by my brother who loves cummins engines.
Trav
To tell you the truth I rarely ever say to put a cummins in a Ford personally I am against the idea of swapping other brand engines into a specific brand vehicle but it is your truck. That idea actually was told to me by my brother who loves cummins engines.
Trav
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FTE Legend
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Your goals are contradicting your engine choice, a hot rod street machine is typically light weight and high horsepower which is the exact opposite of what a diesel engine is. It is possible to build a high performance diesel but it is exponentially more expensive than a gas engine.
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More Turbo
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Be prepared to open your wallet wide. People treat the 4BTs like gold and price them accordingly. Then after you've paid several thousand you have a 105hp engine. Sure, you can do all the tuning tricks that are done on 6BTs but it's going to add up.
The 4BT was designed for fuel economy and longevity and it does a great job at that if you leave it stock or close to it.
Oh and then it's not even the best engine in it's class. The Isuzu is a better design but the aftermarket isn't as developed yet.
The 4BT was designed for fuel economy and longevity and it does a great job at that if you leave it stock or close to it.
Oh and then it's not even the best engine in it's class. The Isuzu is a better design but the aftermarket isn't as developed yet.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
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From: SW Florida
Evan is correct.
To tell you the truth I rarely ever say to put a cummins in a Ford personally I am against the idea of swapping other brand engines into a specific brand vehicle but it is your truck. That idea actually was told to me by my brother who loves cummins engines.
Trav
To tell you the truth I rarely ever say to put a cummins in a Ford personally I am against the idea of swapping other brand engines into a specific brand vehicle but it is your truck. That idea actually was told to me by my brother who loves cummins engines.
Trav
Same with Chevy, "an American Revolution" (says their advertising) powered by Isuzu (foreign) diesels.
Ford HAD International/Navistar/IH diesels, but I think the current diesel engines are being built by Ford themselves because they got pissed at International over the 6.0L being a POS (or something like that...).
It's just like when you buy, for example, a Sears air compressor and it has a Emerson motor on it. Emerson ain't related to Sears, they're just another motor manufacturer and one that happens to supply Sears with motors for their compressors.
Now if you put a Dodge 318 in a Ford, yes... that is just wrong IMO.
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