If anyone has interest of doing the same, similar or just needs food for thought, and you need specific pictures, just ask... best time is now as im at the cab removal stage (again)... just to do the OD gearbox swap and turbo setup etc.
Would be pretty cool to see someone else do this... no regrets with my swap... well perhaps a 8.3 cummins wouldve been better, eh next project... after the "Ford/dodge swap everything project".

 

Custom manifold built, turbo installed and also a 6 speed overdrive installed... a friends building the intercooler hopefully over the weekend to speed things up...
Should be running again within 2 weeks.

 

...and the cooler is now built.

 

Intercooler is installed... will try to make a video soon of how it sounds as ive also adjusted the valves... so nice n quiet(er)... yep, im getting old.

 

Finally a tilt front... nearly finished.
Cool as (in my opinion) and so much room for maintenance and playing around.
Still have the 4 link air bag rear to do, using air bags from a semi... all in good time, but soon...and then that's it for this project!
Nah thats not it... heaps more ideas

 

it is never really done until you decide to sell it.

 

ha yep agree... true story.

 

Quick update of registration... This ute has passed an engineers report with all the mods and is approved to drive on public roads... there was only a few small things that I needed to replace, ie the GPS speedo (not allowed), exhaust needed to go out of the perimeter of the ute and to the back or right hand side, air and fuel lines needed to be secured every 300mm (foot). I had to make an airbox for the air filter, and had to work with the tilt front, and also get a certificate for the a brake test and speedo calibration... Aussie rules.
81 F350 done... Start the 81 F700 very soon.

 

Glad you are making progress. I’m ready for you to start on the F700 too!

 

Glad you are making progress. I’m ready for you to start on the F700 too!

 

Thank you mate.
Im looking to get me a detroit 6v53... if anyone in Australia has one for sale or knows someone who has... let me know please.
Thats my choice of engine for the 4x4 F700 and will indeed be an awesome project.

 

Do you work on diesel engines much?

My first experience was on the Ford/New Holland 6.6L. No really the internals, but having to figure out how to get and keep it running. Also have an old Kubota mower with a 3 cylinder diesel and a Mahindra Sub-compact tractor.

Any word on the four door cab yet?

 

while the 6V53 is a good engine at around 210 HP , in my opinion the 6V71T is MUCH better sounding and pulling engine at 225 HP

 

Youre definitely right with all you said and I do agree, only downsides are, is that its about 4 to 500lbs heavier. Im pretty sure a 71 is only little wider, sae1 flywheel housing, sae 2 to suit is pretty hard to find but they are out there.... and though it has a little more power, they rev to about 2200 im sure and 53 revs to about 3000... so would also need overdrive or joey box... or both. However, jakes for a 71 are easy to find and a LOT heaps cheaper than for a 53... just stuff i gathered, and why i was looking at the 53... A cummins or a Cat would be so much easier!
If one came up at the right price, I wouldnt say no.

 

No, im not a mechanic at all, ive done basic stuff like remove heads and fit them. When I was a kid, i wanted to be a mechanic, but my teachers were boring and my school grades were **** so 'no mechanic for you'
Thanks for the reminder, just rung him, mustve finished early being late Friday here. ill just go visit the guy on Monday... hopefully he just misplaced my number.
I have a Kubota mower here ...and no grass to cut (I did mention school grades)... still looking for the right property with a huge shed potential.