Cummins R2.8l
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
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What do you mean 24v power?
So you sound like someone who just thinks diesel is cool and, but budget is a key factor.
If you can flip flop from 4bt to IDI you must not have any kind of refined criteria or experience to base a decision on. IDI is not a terrible engine, but it has no virtues that make it worth the large effort and expense to swap.
Budget, diesel swap and auto transmission do not fit together. You can pick 2. Not all 3.
So you sound like someone who just thinks diesel is cool and, but budget is a key factor.
If you can flip flop from 4bt to IDI you must not have any kind of refined criteria or experience to base a decision on. IDI is not a terrible engine, but it has no virtues that make it worth the large effort and expense to swap.
Budget, diesel swap and auto transmission do not fit together. You can pick 2. Not all 3.
I know it's a pricey swap numbers are always a consideration but I am going into this knowing I'm probably spending $15k. I like diesels, their longevity, durability, economy, low end power, the way they sound etc. The fact that if you got crazy you could practically make your own fuel to run one in your back yard is novel. I have no diesel mechanic experience for sure outside of starting a project taking a VW 1.6l and putting it into a 1942 *****'s MB. Never finished because I had to move from TX to SC and couldn't take it with me. I think anyone can respect the reputation of a 7.3l and the fact that there is factory manuals and oem parts for this engine set up in my year of truck, just as much as they can respect the novelty and fuel economy of a 4bt. I originally got on to the 4bt after reading a swap story and the power/economy vs the stock has engines in a bullnose. +1 for economy -1 for rattling you out of the truck.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 57
You need to own one.
Start with a cummins so you have a sound baseline of what a diesel is and what it's virtues are.
Buy a beat up 12 valve truck. First gens are great. Trucks are super cheesy, but the engines are fantastic. 2nd gens are better trucks, but the p-pump engines are not as reliable or tough as the rotary engines.
When you have 10k miles on that truck you will understand.
Because it came in the truck is a dumb reason to go through all the work of a conversion.
If you want an IDI go buy one. Drive it, use it, understand why they aren't much to get excited over. The only reason I would own an IDI truck would be as a dump run emergency deal. And I wouldn't own one with an auto. The C6 and E4OD are both horrible transmissions in that application.
Don't blow $15k because you think diesels are cool. In general, they are not. There's a couple engines that are just incredible and the rest are meh.
I have seen too many people go full stupid into a diesel swap just to sell it for a small fraction of their investment 6 months later.
Start with a cummins so you have a sound baseline of what a diesel is and what it's virtues are.
Buy a beat up 12 valve truck. First gens are great. Trucks are super cheesy, but the engines are fantastic. 2nd gens are better trucks, but the p-pump engines are not as reliable or tough as the rotary engines.
When you have 10k miles on that truck you will understand.
Because it came in the truck is a dumb reason to go through all the work of a conversion.
If you want an IDI go buy one. Drive it, use it, understand why they aren't much to get excited over. The only reason I would own an IDI truck would be as a dump run emergency deal. And I wouldn't own one with an auto. The C6 and E4OD are both horrible transmissions in that application.
Don't blow $15k because you think diesels are cool. In general, they are not. There's a couple engines that are just incredible and the rest are meh.
I have seen too many people go full stupid into a diesel swap just to sell it for a small fraction of their investment 6 months later.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
You need to own one.
Start with a cummins so you have a sound baseline of what a diesel is and what it's virtues are.
Buy a beat up 12 valve truck. First gens are great. Trucks are super cheesy, but the engines are fantastic. 2nd gens are better trucks, but the p-pump engines are not as reliable or tough as the rotary engines.
When you have 10k miles on that truck you will understand.
Because it came in the truck is a dumb reason to go through all the work of a conversion.
If you want an IDI go buy one. Drive it, use it, understand why they aren't much to get excited over. The only reason I would own an IDI truck would be as a dump run emergency deal. And I wouldn't own one with an auto. The C6 and E4OD are both horrible transmissions in that application.
Don't blow $15k because you think diesels are cool. In general, they are not. There's a couple engines that are just incredible and the rest are meh.
I have seen too many people go full stupid into a diesel swap just to sell it for a small fraction of their investment 6 months later.
Start with a cummins so you have a sound baseline of what a diesel is and what it's virtues are.
Buy a beat up 12 valve truck. First gens are great. Trucks are super cheesy, but the engines are fantastic. 2nd gens are better trucks, but the p-pump engines are not as reliable or tough as the rotary engines.
When you have 10k miles on that truck you will understand.
Because it came in the truck is a dumb reason to go through all the work of a conversion.
If you want an IDI go buy one. Drive it, use it, understand why they aren't much to get excited over. The only reason I would own an IDI truck would be as a dump run emergency deal. And I wouldn't own one with an auto. The C6 and E4OD are both horrible transmissions in that application.
Don't blow $15k because you think diesels are cool. In general, they are not. There's a couple engines that are just incredible and the rest are meh.
I have seen too many people go full stupid into a diesel swap just to sell it for a small fraction of their investment 6 months later.
Duly noted and excellent advice for someone new to the game. Especially the last line.
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 8
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From: Seattle
I guess I am 'dumb' enough to try the 4bta (16 valve) in a 54 F100 I am building as a daily driver. Some great advise on owning a diesel first, but I get the 'benefits' of owning diesel trucks through my sons (2nd gen dodge with a 12 valve, 2 Duramax's, and there used to be a 6.4 Powerstroke). I get to help when they need to work on them, we swapped the automatic in the Dodge for an NV4500, and we put a Duramax in a Yukon (Suburban). Their trucks are all great, but there is something about the Cummins.... for me, the 6bt seems a bit too big for the 54 (yeah, i know it can fit).
Rick
Rick
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 57
I guess I am 'dumb' enough to try the 4bta (16 valve) in a 54 F100 I am building as a daily driver. Some great advise on owning a diesel first, but I get the 'benefits' of owning diesel trucks through my sons (2nd gen dodge with a 12 valve, 2 Duramax's, and there used to be a 6.4 Powerstroke). I get to help when they need to work on them, we swapped the automatic in the Dodge for an NV4500, and we put a Duramax in a Yukon (Suburban). Their trucks are all great, but there is something about the Cummins.... for me, the 6bt seems a bit too big for the 54 (yeah, i know it can fit).
Rick
Rick
12 valve fits great in a 54 Ford.
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 8
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From: Seattle
ISB170, I am not yet willing to put more weight up front, but that could change if the 4 cylinder rattles too much for me. Trying to build a daily driver that can do some light hauling and towing, which is why I chose diesel, but as a daily driver I want decent handling, so the 3.9 Cummins is my personal compromise.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 57
12 valve is probably only 150 lbs heavier than an isb170.
Isb170 is strange to drive. They have no bottom end. Meant for full throttle delivery truck use. There's no way to change that either. No aftermarket support for them.
I have a 67 c10 with a 12 valve in it. Bigger truck than a 54 Ford, but it's still only like 4100 pounds. It's ridiculously quick for what it is. Stock front suspension doesn't notice it.
Isb170 is strange to drive. They have no bottom end. Meant for full throttle delivery truck use. There's no way to change that either. No aftermarket support for them.
I have a 67 c10 with a 12 valve in it. Bigger truck than a 54 Ford, but it's still only like 4100 pounds. It's ridiculously quick for what it is. Stock front suspension doesn't notice it.
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