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I will buck the general consensus here (dangerous being a new guy)...
I have had (2) 6.0s, 7.3s, and even 7.3 and 6.9 IDIs. I happen to really like the 6.0. In my opinion, the 6.0/ 5R110 TS >>> 7.3/4R100. The 7.3 is sluggish, and the 4R100 will never be anything more than a boat anchor in my opinion.
The 6.0 can and will be a great engine for you, if you take the time to do a few things. If you are taking the engine out, the biggest hassle of working on a 6.0 is taken care of. Most of the time, folks have to pull the cab off. Do the head studs and gaskets while the engine is out. Obviously have the heads checked, etc. Do a complete EGR delete (Liberator Diesel makes a nice kit, which I have used twice), and change the oil cooler out for the updated Ford revision. Install a coolant filter, and you will have a great pacage. The 6.0 is snappy, and the 5R110 is crisp shifting transmission. Night and day from the 7.3/ 4R100. If you plan on tuning it, keep it mild; the 6.0 is already 100 hp ahead of the 7.3.
thank you for all your input, I havery been doing some very extensive reading on the engine problems and how to make it bullet proof,
As far as doing the swap... it is going to be a major undertaking. 10X the effort of an EFI 302 swap. Interfacing the gauges, electronics, etc is not impossible, but it will also not be a weekend swap. I think you have the real estate in the dent side. Motor mounts, trans mounting, and all would obviously be up to you. You'll need a rear axle swap as well. I have seen (in person), and '86 with a 6.0 swap, and it was very well done.
It would be very toilsome, but don't let people's opinions of the 6.0 be what keeps you from doing it. I've had 2 deleted wicked up 6.0s, and they are great engines if you make some changes. My first had 240K on it when I sold it (deletes done at 120K, and no issues from then on). My second has 90K on it now, and I deleted it at 65K. No issues.
If nothing else, make the swap (EFI 302 for 6.0), and then unload the engine and transmission. A good running 6.0, and TS auto will fetch good money, and you could use that to build something else.
Thank you for all your input, I have been doing some very extensive reading on the engine problems and how to make it bullet proof, which me being a mechanic does not seen to be a big problem, as for the suspension I will be using the entire suspension out of the F250 both front and rear axles leaf springs basically everything, I'm also getting the complete dash with all the wiring, I really feel like doing something unique on the sense of putting such monstrous engine on a little truck, it's is what I love doing and I feel very confident that I can do it, I know that it will take a lot of time and patience and a incredible amount engineering, but since I'm trading a complete engine for another engine and getting the full dash and suspension with axles for 700$, then I don't see why shouldn't I go for it.
I would defiantly do the swap, you have a donor truck and your doing your homework. Don't be afraid of that 6.0L, they are great engines once there bulletproofed. I own an 05 6.0, and have 0 complaints/problems. Its been bulletproofed and tuned and runs like a raped ape! I would take the 10.5 rear and swap that in, and reinforce the frame.
I personally would do it in a heartbeat. I see all the guys so scared of the 6.0, but if you know what you are doing and treat it right, they return the favor. I've owned many. Had one over 500k with no major issues. I also don't ever do all the things people say they need. Never had a single stud on mine, all had EGR systems too. Only thing I add is a coolant filter. If I go in, I do replace the EGR cooler with the BPD brand.
Also, depending one what length frame, you could simply swap your body to the 6.0's frame. I'd even consider just swapping the whole dash if you weren't worried about keeping the look. Then you can keep the HVAC too and have A/C! Make the wiring a breeze too.
IMO, I think the 6oh is a great platform for a mod like this! I love my 6.0, and have owned 2 now. The 6oh can create great HP, not hard to work on, and not as expensive as the 6.4 and up to work on.
I hope you take your friend up on his offer, and looking forward to seeing pics of the project!
Also, depending one what length frame, you could simply swap your body to the 6.0's frame. I'd even consider just swapping the whole dash if you weren't worried about keeping the look. Then you can keep the HVAC too and have A/C! Make the wiring a breeze too.
^^^^^ This is the answer -- it is a body swap, not a drivetrain swap. The 6.0/TS is around 1300 lbs, let alone the twisting force it will have -- How to make my F100 frame turn into wet spaghetti, would be the new title.
But I think it'd be cool to see the body swap done
6.0s, due to their reputation, are one of the best values in a HD light truck out there. The fixes are well known and there are more than a few guys over on the 6.0 side that are making some decent money by buying them cheap and fixing/flipping them...
I would definitely do a "bullet proof light" on the '05: replace STC fitting, dummy plugs/stand pipes, EGR delete or BP cooler, bluespring, coolant filter, oil cooler if needed...
I will reinforced the frame on my F100 box the front and rear and run very beefy custom made cross members, I will not dfo this swap without of course doing a lot of research also I will use the entire suspension out of the f250 so I'm pretty confident on how I'm gonna pull this out, I'm not just going to throw things together and see it fail miserably.
Never having owned a 6.blow, I can only offer my dealings with others who have owned them. IMHO, you either get a good one, or a BAD one, there really aren't many in betweeners. I had a friend, bought an 05, modded the crap out of it, drove it like he stole it most of the time, sold it at 254k with nary a problem, my BIL got 3 bad ones, now owns Dodges as does my best friend growing up, they had nothing but issue after issue, and now run all dodges,,, have another friend has an 04 F450, 6.0 manual, had to have the comp reflashed, but has towed a large 5th wheel with no major mechanical troubles.
So,,, I would do a frame/body swap if possible, if not, you gots some work ahead of you! But I say go for it, they sound great sooped up and run strong, would be a hot ticket in an F100! Pretty sure the 9" wouldn't hold up to long!
Never having owned a 6.blow, I can only offer my dealings with others who have owned them. IMHO, you either get a good one, or a BAD one, there really aren't many in betweeners. I had a friend, bought an 05, modded the crap out of it, drove it like he stole it most of the time, sold it at 254k with nary a problem, my BIL got 3 bad ones, now owns Dodges as does my best friend growing up, they had nothing but issue after issue, and now run all dodges,,, have another friend has an 04 F450, 6.0 manual, had to have the comp reflashed, but has towed a large 5th wheel with no major mechanical troubles.
So,,, I would do a frame/body swap if possible, if not, you gots some work ahead of you! But I say go for it, they sound great sooped up and run strong, would be a hot ticket in an F100! Pretty sure the 9" wouldn't hold up to long!
I will use my frame! I will box it up run custom made cross members and weld the entire frame and all the areas were it connects with rivets, also I'm using the front and rear axle of the f250 with the suspension so I'm pretty sure that it will he fine.
05-29-2015, 10:02 PM
