That's really good info for the f350 situation. So since the f350 already has all the parts needed in the trans to run the 7.3, ill just have the trans shop change the output shaft and the tail housing out when its rebuilt from 2wd to 4wd. hopefully there isn't any dimensional differences between the different trans as far as cross member alignment and driveshafts go?

 

That's where I was Mistaken, I amused the bell-housings were removable and could be changed. so i think the best way to go would be to use the 7.3 2wd trans and change the output shaft and tail housing. But will the overall trans dimensions be the same? Or will I have to have new cross member made and driveshafts? Will my transfer case bolt up and splines should also be the same for a 7.3/trans vs the gas transfer case?

 

So I have the 7.3 back up and running. Turns out after further inspection of the F350 the dipstick tube for the transmission had broken off of the mount on the engine block and worked its way loose from the transmission so at some point I will have to spot weld the bracket back on the trans dipstick tube. The motor has good power under load but it seems to have a bit of a stutter every now and then at idle. I have already replaced the fuel filter and air filter (because the old ones were full of trash) and it didn't make any difference (long shot but oh well) so I'm hoping after some fresh injectors it will clear up that stutter. Im going for a stock motor setup, so no engine upgrades for now. I am still torn on weather to have the stock injectors rebuilt with new nozzles or to buy the 2,000 worth of new OEM ford injectors. I think I will already be cutting it close on a 5K budget after trans rebuild and engine parts at it is. I am yet to research into the Gage cluster difference between a 2wd and a 4wd diesel truck. I might wind up buying a complete dash out of a 4x4 diesel truck before its all said and done. Like I said in my original post i'm going to try to have all functions working properly and do it as cost effectively as possible at the same time. but from all my research about the swap just about all the parts I need are there. The question is how many of those parts are salvageable? I might find out quickly that there are a lot more parts need for the motor to be reliable than may seem.

 

I will be replacing my injectors as well, mainly due to age, and have decided not no have oversized ones put in. That said my Ford parts guy says the injectors from Ford are remans, and not brand new. Check with your dealer on that. Since the OE Alliant injectors are avail new, I just went to their site and used the dealer locator only to find a dealer with the injectors on the shelf locally in Charlotte just 20 min from me. The service dealer is asking for cores even though I'm purchasing new parts. I verified with Alliant that they are the ones asking for the cores, and not the dealer since Alliant sells new and reman. Fortunately I already have a set from a junkyard pull last year.
Do a little more research on your "stutter", check all the sensor plugs and wires leading to the plugs on the topside, looking for exposed wires, oily wet sensors, broken wires Etc.

Alliant Power - Diesel Forward

 

Today I went to move the f350 around in my yard. Cranked up and ran fine.... until I put it in drive and I wouldn't move at all, then I was graced with the dreaded flashing overdive light of death and I knew that the transmission decided to die. Luckily it moves in reverse and I can move it around my yard still but it just goes to show that a seller of a vehicle will lie to your face just to get you to buy their headache. I asked the man selling the "not running" truck before I bought it and he said that there was "absolutely nothing wrong with the transmission"......well 4 quarts low on trans fluid, a broke dipstick tube, and now catostrophic failure. Yeah right. If I was trying to buy this truck to fix up and drive I would be irrate. However I am rebuilding the trans anyway so no skin off my neck. The take home from this is dont ever trust what a seller says.