i have a dillema: i'm a huge fan of diesels, but also a huge fan of 1979 ford pick ups. so what am i to do? i want to swap in a diesel, any diesel. has anyone done this, or heard of it being done? i have a 4-speed NP435 and the NP205 transfer case. if at all possible, i'd like to keep them both, since i'm really happy with them. however, i have yet to find any info of a 80's diesel ford with the NP435. i'm thinking of finding a wrecked 80's ford f-350 diesel, and perhaps taking the front dana 60...is this possible as well, or did f-350s in 1980 change their front axle as well?

any ideas on this would be extremely helpful. thanks.

 

There's a 78? Ford with a 7.3 diesel engine under its hood. Search around the gallery on here and ask its owner.

 

If your going to swap in a diesel make sure it's a 7.3 diesel and not the 6.9 diesel.And you'll have to find the wiring harness to to get the glow plugs circuts.........

 

Some years ago I put a 6.9 in a 75 Highboy. At first, I was runnung the NP435. I ended up switching to a T19 because the gear spacing on the NP was not good with a diesel. Advanced Adapters ought to be able to supply parts to adapt T19 to NP205. I would avoid the ZF if you are pulling a load.

Wiring is relatively easy. You need 12vdc from the ignition switch to the fuel shutoff solonoid (not the pink wire, it is 6-8vdc) on the injector pump. I ran a toggle switch to cycle the glow plugs after the wonderful 6.9 controller burned up several sets. The 7.3 controllers were better. Set a Standard Ignition SS496 solonoid on the fender to carry the power.

I built the mounts in place. Really, the install was relatively easy. I had to notch the crossmember behind the radiator to clear the pan. You will need to run a fuel return line. You will need to ad 1 leaf to the springs or so to handle the weight. I ran a high efficiency 3 core radiator with stock 360 cid tanks on it. No problem even at 110 deg pulling a load.

Don't know but believe you could get a Banks or ATS turbo in there.

Then again, I am going to put a 5.9 Cummins 6bta in a 4x4 '79 F250 SC.

 

 

the 7.3 powerstroke will spool up faster than any chevy or dodge diesel on the market..food for thought on that 5.9 pulls hard off the line.

 

BTW 80-86 1 tons had ttb, after that they went back to straight axle in the 1 tons.
just some food for thought