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Hey every body i got a 1986 f250 xl 6.9 diesel 4 speed manual and i just bought a turbo kit and want to put a intercooler on but in between the radiator and the grille I think in the transmission cooler correct me if I'm wrong and I know there isn't room in between that and the grille to fit a intercooler so i was wondering what you guys would do to fit one or if the wheel well intercoolers are worth it
Julian does your truck have AC? If not there should be plenty of room in front of the radiator because that is where the condenser is usually located. If you have AC that doesn't work then ditch the condenser and install your intercooler. If you have AC that works fine and space is limited then mounting it low like GoodBoy said is probably your best bet.
It would be easier to mount your intercooler low near the bumper than moving the AC condenser. OE AC lines are designed to attach to the condenser when it's located near the radiator. If you move the condenser you would have to get custom AC lines
I've seen a few installs on 80-86 trucks. With air conditioning I believe the condenser can be moved closer to the radiator to create additional room. The back side of the grille can be trimmed, and the center support for the hood latch will probably need to be modified or mostly removed. I've seen it done though. I've also seen smaller intercoolers behind the bumper, typically with an opening cut in the bumper and some rubber edge trim installed around the opening.
Also note if you get the whole R&D turbo and intercooler kit, Justin at R&D has installed that on 80-86 trucks and the picture on the site is (was?) of it on an 80-86. His kit does fit with some modification, you might ask him and buy the intercooler form him if you don't have one already.
Please follow up with details of your install and pictures, an intercooler is on my to-do list for my '86.
If u have any questions, just ask me, I have done it without triming the grille, ac still in there. Little fabricating and welding needed. I moved the water radiator closer to the engine, about an inch. I am in Europe, no parts, thats why I did not want to trim the grille, make it weaker. Has almost factory look. PSD intercooler. Even the latch support is there, modified but all there.
Finished product, none of the exterior was modified, looks factory. 3 best things you can do to the idi truck. Turbo it, intercool it, and get hydroboost.
It is too big, does not fit parking lots. The consuption is around 19mpg, cant complain. Price for riding 3 tons of steel. Read my thread Romel´s truck and Crazy European most likely has a pick up, that explains the story behind it.
