Engine swag to 12v
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
I would tend to agree your F150 is going to need some beefing up to handle a Cummins swap.
Good reading here as a starting point: http://dieselconversion.com/
Good reading here as a starting point: http://dieselconversion.com/
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,591
Likes: 5,621
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
that is because a cummings is a gold plated wonder that gets 145 mpg while making 3000 hp after putting a K&N filter on it, a big "C" sticker on the back window, a 12 inch stack through the bed, and turning up the fuel until the exhaust will black out an intersection.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
Another possibility
You might try a 4BT Cummins instead. They weigh about 790 pounds dressed.
Just my $0.02 USD worth.
Ray
Just my $0.02 USD worth.
Ray
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
I'll take a "massaged" 4.9 over a CUMMINS (Not Cummings) any day.
And what's that swap really going to get you in the end?
Better mileage? Not enough to pay for the swap and/or time put in.
More torque? Spend a bit of dough on a 351 and see if you still need more.
I mean, if you need one for towing, you're starting with the wrong gvwr truck anyway.
And what's that swap really going to get you in the end?
Better mileage? Not enough to pay for the swap and/or time put in.
More torque? Spend a bit of dough on a 351 and see if you still need more.
I mean, if you need one for towing, you're starting with the wrong gvwr truck anyway.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
that is because a cummings is a gold plated wonder that gets 145 mpg while making 3000 hp after putting a K&N filter on it, a big "C" sticker on the back window, a 12 inch stack through the bed, and turning up the fuel until the exhaust will black out an intersection.
Exactly.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 455
I agree with 4bt, and is always my advice for a 1/2 ton...
25+mpg (30 mpg with 1/2 ton running gear is possible), 600 lb/ft of torque with little to no money spent on mods, and the engine can be sourced for dirt cheap if you are resourceful. you don't need to buy a 5k hunk of junk engine off of ebay or craigslist...
in all honesty, swaps can be done for less than the cost of a 351 rebuild with normal cheap mods. you can pay 6k on a 351 or a 302 also...
I did mine for about 3k, which includes an nv5600, mounts, fluids, radiator, and other nickel and dimers. I was going to cut up a bread truck originally, but struck gold finding one in the jy. got it for 300 bucks complete, bought injectors, did some pump work, ported everything, regasketed; all for ~1500.
im a fan of all things that are nice, 300 and 351 included...but there is no comparison between in driving experience between a 300 hp 4bt vs any 300 hp gasser...much less something that has far less hp. combine that driving experience with phenomenal mileage, and no other reasons are necessary.
25+mpg (30 mpg with 1/2 ton running gear is possible), 600 lb/ft of torque with little to no money spent on mods, and the engine can be sourced for dirt cheap if you are resourceful. you don't need to buy a 5k hunk of junk engine off of ebay or craigslist...
in all honesty, swaps can be done for less than the cost of a 351 rebuild with normal cheap mods. you can pay 6k on a 351 or a 302 also...
I did mine for about 3k, which includes an nv5600, mounts, fluids, radiator, and other nickel and dimers. I was going to cut up a bread truck originally, but struck gold finding one in the jy. got it for 300 bucks complete, bought injectors, did some pump work, ported everything, regasketed; all for ~1500.
im a fan of all things that are nice, 300 and 351 included...but there is no comparison between in driving experience between a 300 hp 4bt vs any 300 hp gasser...much less something that has far less hp. combine that driving experience with phenomenal mileage, and no other reasons are necessary.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I don't see whats so wrong with a diesel swap. All the big trucks use diesel so why not make something different, F-150 diesel. I will say the F-150 frame is only 1/8 thick while the F-250/F-350 frame is 1/4 thick while the F Superduty frame is damn near 3/8 thick.
You will need to beef it up.
You will need to beef it up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DerekShiekhi
2004 - 2008 F150
0
Mar 10, 2016 03:58 PM
dmichaleski
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Jun 2, 2013 09:24 PM
tunafish
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 13, 1999 02:48 AM