ok I have seen a few different threads on this topic but never any with complete thoughts or answers. I have a 79 F350 with a flat bed. 460/C6 d60 front and rear and 4.10 gears needless to say I spend a lot on gas and when I go down the highway I go slow. partly because it has the aerodynamics of a brick partly because of lack of gear. So here is my 5 year plan mostly because I get paid the chump change of a Full time Soldier.


I'm looking at a 5.0 coyote out of a F150 I know the mustang ones make a little more power but lets face it this truck aint made for the quarter mile. how ever with the ford stand alone ECU it will retain the variable valve timing. I will marry it with a 4R70W/4R75E and transfer from a f150 with a modular engine which is a direct bolt in this will be controlled with another stand alone TCM. other considerations will be Fab work for motor mounts and trans cross member, custom drive shafts, electric cooling and modifying the alternator, power steering, power breaks, fuel delivery and other vehicle sub systems. all in all utilizing junk yard parts and my own skill I figure to round this out for about 7 to 10k which is about the same as it would cost me to do a 5.9 Cummings swap. What I am wondering is there anybody here that has any experience with this swap or any other help full information or positive and negative insight.

 

First, and as a veteran, thanks for your service to our country.

Given that you're gonna be rotating/changing posts, you might end up having to haul around the country a non-running project. Think about that. The last thing we would want for you is to start a project only have to abandon it due to whatever circumstance(s) may arise.

Second... a personal budget. I suggest building cash (a project savings account) instead of having to apportion each and every paycheck. That way, unforeseen expenses may be readily absorbed. Be realistic on how to afford your daily living and "fun". ... Btw, my Ferrari has its own separate bank account.

Third, a build plan with a project budget. Here I suggest developing a spreadsheet with the anticipated costs and then the next column over the actual cost for the part and then a running total to be mindful how much this project is costing. With the anticipated total cost, add 20 percent.

Proceed.

 

im with you on the budget and rotating bases, that's why its a 3 to 5 year plan. im due to PCS to Alaska next year, my goal is to slowly amass the parts I need then tackle the build. it may have to wait till I get back to the lower 48 I will have to see what junk yard prices are like up there first.

 

Most everything costs more in AK... except for freezing yer nards off.. that's freely provided.

Good plan... and bet on most everything costing more in 36 to 60 months. If you see or encounter a deal, then ya might wanna dive in. Wherever ya are, keep an eye out for deals so long as it can be shipped and stored back to wherever yer gonna end up after AK. Home is nice but make sure there is someone there on the same page who will store the parts while yer away.

Build cash while you're up there. If you're eligible for "special pay", sock that away and live off the base pay. I recommend setting up an allotment to an account that you don't have access to because monies that are not readily accessible is money ya don't spend. Maybe consider a money market account so it can accrue interest.. the other alternative is to invest in a dividend paying stock or mutual fund but that entails more risk. ATT and Verizon hover around five percent.. that totally beats the 0.5 percent (if that) by retail banks.

 

Here is a good build thread putting a Coyote into a Bump...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s....php?t=1402250

So it's possible, just keep in mind the costs as already mentioned... the computers/controllers and wiring harnesses along with engine/transmission will be $$$$.

Best advice I can give... start and maintain a build thread, works great for advice and support to keep you going with it!

And, thank you for your service!

 

On budgeting... I try to make a list as suggested above and figure it out in advance. In my experience its best to take that initial budget and double it to deal with unforeseen issues and to get it the way you want it.

As far as the plan to gain efficiency it is a bit of a dilemma. You are dealing with engine efficiency, aerodynamics and gearing. I think the 5.0l would help with engine efficiency. An OD transmission to go with it would help if you are running light most of the time. None of the above will help with aero... though a front air dam may help a bit.

Putting the newer engine in the older truck will be a bit of a science project. If you enjoy that then go for it!

Another approach would involve keeping the 460 and adding overdrive like a gear vendors. If the 460 is tired, rebuilding it for efficiency and power would help. Closed chamber heads, tight quench and decent compression ... plus a well tuned carb or FI. Tight quench means the flat of the piston is about .040" from the cylinder head at TDC. On every hole. This helps control pinging and allows running higher compression to help engine efficiency. Compression in the low 9's with iron heads or low 10's with AL heads and tight quench should work.

 

Its not much of a science project, it is a lot of work but pretty straight forward the 5.0 will bolt direct to the transmission with no adapter and both have stand alone control modules. I can build my own hoses to adapt the newer power steering pump to the older gear box. The only thing im still trying to figure out is the electrical. Besides that its some fab work, trans linkage and custom drive shafts.


As far as old vs new even with the work I think I will be better off.
This is why (All 5.0 numbers are from a 2015 f150 long wheel base with the heavy payload package)


my GVW 8500 - f150 GVW 7850 with the f150 5.0
460 200-230 Hp 385 lb-ft - 5.0 is 385 HP 387 Ft LB
C6 3 speed or AODE 3 Speed OD
my truck 7.8 Highway MPG - F150 16 MPG Combined
460/C6 weight 720/140 (860) LBS - 5.0/AODE 450/150 (600) LBS




Other issues that are influencing this decision are I hate carburetors and have never been any good at tuning them, they are a pain in the *** when it cold out. and fuel injection is more dependable and predictable. I know I could buy an aftermarket fuel injection system and a gear vendor over drive but the cost of that would be almost the same as doing the coyote swap.

 

I basically rebuilt my entire drive train for what you are thinking of spending. Rebuilt and spiced up 460, rebuilt trans, rebuilt t-case, transplant dana 60 with all new bearings, new driveshafts, new shifter, all MSD, and fabbed all mounts, cross member and brackets. I never imagined it would cost 1/3 more than my brain budget. It is not a DD, but, if I were to build even close to a daily driver I would look hard at what you are thinking of doing. I am interested to see how your plan comes together. I was stationed in Vegas for all 4 years, but had too many other things to spend my money on!! Good luck!

 

Definitely have too many other things to spend money on and unfortunately other than my Harley it is my daily driver. the commute from housing to work is short but its still got me thinking on modernizing my truck. the few times that I do put it on the highway makes me wish for over drive and fuel efficiency. but I do manage to squirrel away a couple hundred a month so it may take awhile but I will get there

 

I would love to have a 4door 4x4 on a 7.3 powerstroke drivetrain. I know when I finally dive into it, I will spend way more than I want to. I have always dreamed of having a 78 or 79 with the cold starting, reliability, fuel milage and road comfort of my newer vehicles. You just have to set your mind to it, save $$$$$$$ and do it. Like the others have said, there is lots of knowledge on this site and the internet if full of information. Just ignore the nay-sayers and do what you want.