4bt swap?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2018
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4bt swap?
to do or not to do? It’s a 1990 Ford F-150 4x4 5 speed with the i6. I have located a 4bt out of a bread van i can prolly get for cheep. But i was also thinking a idi with 3/4 frame swap. Just throwing my idea out there for some info on both.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
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From: Central Indiana
4BT swaps are doable but, you need rubber mounts or it's going to vibrate the entire truck at idle. Also, they are noisy so you'll need additional soundproofing (Dynamat, etc) if you want to hear music in the cab. Keep in mind, you might need 3/4 ton front springs because that little 4BT is heavy for its size. If you do buy a 4BT, make sure you hear it run before plunking down some cash. Preferably in a driving vehicle so you can check the performance first. The Cummins will need an adapter, a plate to replace what's on it so you can couple it to your transmission. BTW, you will need a ZF to hold the torque of that little tan beastie.
Last edited by raystankewitz; Aug 27, 2018 at 02:15 PM. Reason: Add information
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
It has been done, but it can be expensive (the adapter plates and donor engine). So in the first place: why do you want to do it? the I6 is a great engine and as close as you'll get to a diesel in a gas engine.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2018
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My i6 is gutless and not fun to drive but I’ve driven plenty of them mines just a lemon i think lol
and I’ve watched vids and read forums I’m pretty good with metal so i think i got this when i get the engine ill get the build thread going
and I’ve watched vids and read forums I’m pretty good with metal so i think i got this when i get the engine ill get the build thread going
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 765
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I highly doubt a half ton F150 can handle the increase weight up front even with some modification ... Best bet would be to install the paperweight 4bt into a F250/F350
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,326
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From: Laramie, WY
I always thought this would be great for driving the forest service roads around here; sipping fuel in 4L vs a gas V8 that drinks fuel despite not working that hard. There's a weight penalty, but this isn't the 6bt either.. It's on my list of "someday" projects.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,326
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From: Laramie, WY
This is a rather uninformed post. It's been done, and those that have taken the time to document it tend to say it works quite well. A 4bt can be setup to deliver solid torque numbers at diesel typical low RPM and return excellent fuel economy. Engine weight is approximately 250lbs more than a V8. That's the difference in having a big passenger up front or not.. I wouldn't sweat it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
This is a rather uninformed post. It's been done, and those that have taken the time to document it tend to say it works quite well. A 4bt can be setup to deliver solid torque numbers at diesel typical low RPM and return excellent fuel economy. Engine weight is approximately 250lbs more than a V8. That's the difference in having a big passenger up front or not.. I wouldn't sweat it.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2003
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This is a great project for someone who wants to work on their truck - a lot. Not a good project for someone who wants to drive their truck - you won't. Not much anyway.
It can be done and has been done. It has been attempted far more times than it has been finished. It's probably easier and less work to get a law degree and buy a new truck. Maybe even cleaner, nah, probably not cleaner.
It can be done and has been done. It has been attempted far more times than it has been finished. It's probably easier and less work to get a law degree and buy a new truck. Maybe even cleaner, nah, probably not cleaner.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,772
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Mechanical diesel swaps aren't bad at all to swap, especially one as abundant as a 4bt. If you crack catalogs and click websites, it will get ungodly expensive quick. If you are patient and source engine, trans, adapter (you can get a ford trans adapter from a myriad of sources), and fab the engine mounts the cost goes from ungodly expensive to almost unbelievably cheap.
The trickiest thing to do is get the factory tach working.
The trickiest thing to do is get the factory tach working.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 442
Likes: 1
From: Roanoke, VA
This is a great project for someone who wants to work on their truck - a lot. Not a good project for someone who wants to drive their truck - you won't. Not much anyway.
It can be done and has been done. It has been attempted far more times than it has been finished. It's probably easier and less work to get a law degree and buy a new truck. Maybe even cleaner, nah, probably not cleaner.
It can be done and has been done. It has been attempted far more times than it has been finished. It's probably easier and less work to get a law degree and buy a new truck. Maybe even cleaner, nah, probably not cleaner.
