frame strength
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
frame strength
79 f150 swb frame d44 front converted to 8 lug w/d60 in the back. still has coil springs.would the weight from my 6.9 diesel be too much?no hardcore 4 wheeling just a toy too play with.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,457
Likes: 2,938
From: Reed Point, MT
You have to think about that one......
Your 351M/400 (assuming) weighs less than 750 lbs. A 7.3L (6.9 should be the same) weighs 1400 lbs. wet. You're almost doubling the weight over your front axle. You might have to put in some 9 inch lift coils to keep the front from sagging (hypothetically speaking). A friend of the family put a 6 cylinder Perkins in a 75 2WD F250 and had to have custom coil springs made to hold the weight. You should've seen the truck when the engine came out once for an overhaul...this picture comes to mind (speaking of camber \----/ ).
I was seriously thinking about putting my Powerstroke diesel in my 73 2WD....that would be one fast sum-beetch. But, the engine weighs 1400lbs. and I don't think the truck would handle it...spindles, springs, frame, etc.
It would be worth a shot...make sure to document (with pictures) the swap if you do decide to do it!!
Cody
Your 351M/400 (assuming) weighs less than 750 lbs. A 7.3L (6.9 should be the same) weighs 1400 lbs. wet. You're almost doubling the weight over your front axle. You might have to put in some 9 inch lift coils to keep the front from sagging (hypothetically speaking). A friend of the family put a 6 cylinder Perkins in a 75 2WD F250 and had to have custom coil springs made to hold the weight. You should've seen the truck when the engine came out once for an overhaul...this picture comes to mind (speaking of camber \----/ ).
I was seriously thinking about putting my Powerstroke diesel in my 73 2WD....that would be one fast sum-beetch. But, the engine weighs 1400lbs. and I don't think the truck would handle it...spindles, springs, frame, etc.
It would be worth a shot...make sure to document (with pictures) the swap if you do decide to do it!!
Cody
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,457
Likes: 2,938
From: Reed Point, MT
Originally Posted by Thomsen
They are less than the 6.9. I am thinking 1000 to 1100.
The Cummins is considerably lighter than the Ford offerings( -450 to 500 lbs.) albeit quite a bit longer, so in a 73-79 ford, extensive mods are necessary to fit the engine lengthwise in the engine bay.
Cody
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
if your thinking of swapping in a diesel go find ya a cummins 4BT from an old Frito-Lay truck! most were backed by a TH400 and can easily be converted to a 4x4 tranny! the 4BT fits in the bay of an EB and doesn't weight it down too mcuh so that could be a good route to go!
theres a guy on Ebay called "cindythings", he has been selling Frito vans & 4BT's for a long time. a friend of mine has done business with him and he claims that he has the contract for California & is obligated to buy every van that is retired regardless of condition at a set price. He wouldn't give a price but we think it was around $1500/van & since they are solid aluminum ...they're probably worth $1000 in scrap aluminum never mind the 4BT's. He says he's never gotten one that didn't run as they all get maintained properly & safety inspected every year. He sells a complete van for $3000 or less & when you subtract the aluminum & consider they come with everything you need to convert your truck...right down to the hydroboost brakes... they're a pretty good buy. Some of them have the SM465 and others have the TH400 & you can adapt the same transfer case. Both transmissions are pretty solid behind a 4BT...no worse than their Dodge counterparts I'd say.
just my .02 worth
-cutts-
theres a guy on Ebay called "cindythings", he has been selling Frito vans & 4BT's for a long time. a friend of mine has done business with him and he claims that he has the contract for California & is obligated to buy every van that is retired regardless of condition at a set price. He wouldn't give a price but we think it was around $1500/van & since they are solid aluminum ...they're probably worth $1000 in scrap aluminum never mind the 4BT's. He says he's never gotten one that didn't run as they all get maintained properly & safety inspected every year. He sells a complete van for $3000 or less & when you subtract the aluminum & consider they come with everything you need to convert your truck...right down to the hydroboost brakes... they're a pretty good buy. Some of them have the SM465 and others have the TH400 & you can adapt the same transfer case. Both transmissions are pretty solid behind a 4BT...no worse than their Dodge counterparts I'd say.
just my .02 worth
-cutts-
Last edited by fishmanndotcom; Apr 19, 2005 at 10:36 PM.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
Bah, you just need to go with the good old 855 cummins turbo diseal, now theres a motor 
. I just happen to have the "small" turbo off my dads versatile from when he upgraded the turbo to boost the power from 300hp to 360-375hp, he still hasn't turned the injector pump up yet though.
Curious, how much power does one of those 4BT's put out (i'm assuming they're turbo'd)
. I just happen to have the "small" turbo off my dads versatile from when he upgraded the turbo to boost the power from 300hp to 360-375hp, he still hasn't turned the injector pump up yet though.Curious, how much power does one of those 4BT's put out (i'm assuming they're turbo'd)
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by mustange70
Curious, how much power does one of those 4BT's put out (i'm assuming they're turbo'd)
all the 4BTs i have seen have turbos but i dunno for sure!
-cutts-
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
From: Bryan/College Station
When you go with the 855, make sure you get the big cam version. My 5 ton wrecker had the 855 small cam with no turbo and it was a serious dog.
Here is a site that sell the conversion kit for the Cummins
http://www.fordcummins.com/
Chris
Here is a site that sell the conversion kit for the Cummins
http://www.fordcummins.com/
Chris
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
That little 4bt motor seems like i can put out some good power, something like that would be perfect for Ford to put in the 1/2 tons, just bump the HP to around 250 and you'd be good to go.
Yep the big cam motors are the way to (this is what we have in 2 of our tractors on the farm), the oil cooled pistons are a plus as well.
Yep the big cam motors are the way to (this is what we have in 2 of our tractors on the farm), the oil cooled pistons are a plus as well
.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cooktimj
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Apr 12, 2014 06:07 AM
brian1080
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
36
Nov 21, 2012 08:27 AM
W.Grills
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jun 17, 2008 06:07 AM
big block power
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Dec 28, 2002 05:15 PM