1978 supercab Diesel Conversion
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Hey, you didn't happen to snag that F250 badge that was sitting on the core support of the county truck (pic 6), did you? I could use a couple of that style.
Hmm, waitaminit - SHE's cheating on HIM, and HE loses his truck? That country song needs a re-write......
Hmm, waitaminit - SHE's cheating on HIM, and HE loses his truck? That country song needs a re-write......
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I snagged both. One of them needs the 0 glued back on. I can send them to you if you want.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Found a zf5 on Craigslist. Made the drive to the middle of the desert and picked it up for a good price. Came with the born warner 1356 transfer case. I'm not much for the chain drive of the unit and I like my np205 to twin stick better. Do I'll be selling the 1356 to a good home. <br/>
Zf bolted right up to where the old c6 went. Looks good up in there. Took a little switching of parts between the 78 cross member and the 95 parts that came with the zf.
It is new seeing a stick coming out of the superb. Can't wait to slam some gears down the road. <br/>Haven't had time or money to out into the motor and when I did get rough saved this transmission came up and I couldn't resist the price.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Well I just got a set from another member. This one had a broken-off 0 as well.... Nice find on the ZF.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA.
Found a zf5 on Craigslist. Made the drive to the middle of the desert and picked it up for a good price. Came with the born warner 1356 transfer case. I'm not much for the chain drive of the unit and I like my np205 to twin stick better. Do I'll be selling the 1356 to a good home. <br/>
Zf bolted right up to where the old c6 went. Looks good up in there. Took a little switching of parts between the 78 cross member and the 95 parts that came with the zf.
It is new seeing a stick coming out of the superb. Can't wait to slam some gears down the road. <br/>Haven't had time or money to out into the motor and when I did get rough saved this transmission came up and I couldn't resist the price.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
It's been a while but here is an update.
Lost some pictures but engine has been completed. Fresh pistons and head studs torqued to 120 ft lbs I think. I'll have to get a running video soon.
Mounting was a bit difficult with the big ac blower on the passenger side. But contrary to popular belief, you do not have to do a body lift. Would be a better fit but not nessesary. Just put it in low and as close to the firewall as possible. Had to move the transmission crossmember back a fee inches to get the engine in this far back and also to be able to hook up the stock drivelines.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA.
"Had to move the transmission crossmember back a fee inches to get the engine in this far back and also to be able to hook up the stock drivelines."
Fantastic ! I am not familiar with the length of the zf trans . Is it shorter than the stock trans allowing you to move everything back a few inches ? Or are you going to be altering driveshaft lengths ? Great work !
Fantastic ! I am not familiar with the length of the zf trans . Is it shorter than the stock trans allowing you to move everything back a few inches ? Or are you going to be altering driveshaft lengths ? Great work !
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
"Had to move the transmission crossmember back a fee inches to get the engine in this far back and also to be able to hook up the stock drivelines."
Fantastic ! I am not familiar with the length of the zf trans . Is it shorter than the stock trans allowing you to move everything back a few inches ? Or are you going to be altering driveshaft lengths ? Great work !
Fantastic ! I am not familiar with the length of the zf trans . Is it shorter than the stock trans allowing you to move everything back a few inches ? Or are you going to be altering driveshaft lengths ? Great work !
It is the same length as far as my measurements went. However where the cross member mounts is a few inches back from where my c6 bolted. I moved the cross member back so that the front holes in the cross member bolted to the rear holes on the frame. Then drilled 2 new holes in the frame for the rear holes in the cross member. Hope that makes sense. No new drivelines needed and the transfer case is able to bolt to its original mount without any modification.
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
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
You have to get a referee. But other guys have done them here. And I'm in the clear so far with the people I've talked to with the dmv.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 13
As far as emissions go, i dont think they could do much, its a newer cleaner burning engine. Really clean install. When i did mine, i pushed the engine back as far as i could. In retrospect, i shouldved just bolted it in where it had the most room like you have done. I have a 2" body lift from putting the supercab on the single cab frame, even with that if you hit a bump the cab will hit the bellhousing.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 13
Thats a half ton? I looked forever for a F150 supercab. What diff in the 9" and do you still have the t-case? Shame its already leaf sprung in the front, a super 60 with a 3 or 4 link would be pretty badass under there.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Haha. I wasn't even looking for a supercab when this one showed up. I was looking at a 66 250 with a flatbed. Glad I changed my mind.