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I got a good deal on a pretty clean '08 F350 frame that had a ruined 6.4 attached to it. I have the axles still attached as well. I have searched high and low for an answer and haven't found one, but am I able to swap my 7.3 powertrain (minus axles) to my '08 frame? I figured that since they still used the same cabs all the way up until '13 I could probably do the swap, but just need to know if the engine fits in the space where the 6.4 used to be, or if I just wasted money. Frame is pretty shot on my '01. I plan on rebuilding the engine, wiring, and trans (ZF6) as I go. Trans won't go into third, no start issues on engine (already replaced the filter and fuel pump which were initially thought to be the problem, solved it for a short while until I drove it and it died 5min down the road, now it won't start again), and I noticed half of the electrical components don't seem to work anymore after sitting for two years. Any advice would be great. I usually deal with Ford 4 cylinders and Ford gas v8s, not diesels.
Afraid I can't help but I'm going to guess the engine and trans cross members will need some degree of customization or maybe relocation. Are the body mount perches located in the same place?
Sounds like something you should do and take lots of pictures and post detailed descriptions for current and future generations looking to accomplish the same thing. A fun project you have there.
Yes. But you'll have to do a cross members and a lot of custom stuff. But it won't be a bolt up job. Lots of welding. Dimension wise yes. Just indent the firewall to allow larger downpipes. If you're a welder fabricator then it's a pretty decent plan.
I guess it depends on how much you spent on the 08 to be considered a waste. On the bright side, you got improved suspension and axles/ brakes. Maybe it would be more worthwhile to look for a good used 6.4
than completely rebuilding your 7.3. Or find a good 7.3 frame and move out of the rust belt
As mentioned, there is going to be some work needed to get it to work, i would start looking at both and comparing the differences. take measurements etc.
If I can get a 7.3 in a 76 F350 CC, surely you could do this. It's just how much you want to put into it.
As far as your engine/ tranny issues, that's a different can of worms. Is it possible rodents got into the wiring? I think a separate thread would be best for that aspect of your truck
No, the ‘’08+ frames are completely different. The only thing the ‘same’ about the cab is the shape from A-pillar back. The front end, core support, etc are very different, as are the front cab mounts.
For a direct frame replacement, you’ll want a ‘99-07 with the same cab and bed you have now. If you get an ‘05-07 roller, you can keep the coil spring 4wd front axle (and the matching rear axle) and put your cab and bed on it after swapping the fuel system, chassis wire harness and front brake lines (to match up to your 7.3 ABS module).
It is unlikely the cab on a rotten frame would be worth investing the time a frame swap would require.
It is possible to buy an ‘05-07 complete, rust-free (southern) truck with a blown up 5.4/6.0/6.8 engine for as little as $1000 if you don’t mind a few dents and dings. (You can even recover some of that by selling the parts you won’t need). Then swap your 7.3/ZF6 and ALL of the wiring harnesses to the new truck. I’ve done several of these swaps.
I have a friend with a '08, stashed behind his garage as he doesn't know what to do with it. It's clean, but man, that Cummins swap looks attractive...but it isn't for normal people.
No, the ‘’08+ frames are completely different. The only thing the ‘same’ about the cab is the shape from A-pillar back. The front end, core support, etc are very different, as are the front cab mounts.
For a direct frame replacement, you’ll want a ‘99-07 with the same cab and bed you have now. If you get an ‘05-07 roller, you can keep the coil spring 4wd front axle (and the matching rear axle) and put your cab and bed on it after swapping the fuel system, chassis wire harness and front brake lines (to match up to your 7.3 ABS module).
