is this posible
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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is this posible
i have a 88 7.3l with the three speed auto and banks turbo. after towing my 24ft 5th wheel i am tired of getting only a few miles per gallon. even with no load and driving softly it get 10 mpg tops. my question is how hard would it be to swap the AT for a pre psd manual. also is it possible to swap for a psd 6spd or 5sd manual trans. i have heard of guys getting 24mpg +.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
I have a 90. I get about 14 with a load of tools in the truck and I get 12 towing about 6500#. I have an E40D. My rear is 3.55. What is yours? Your milage is low.
Don't know enough about the swaps to give a good answer on that.
Don't know enough about the swaps to give a good answer on that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Any 6.9 or 7.3 DIESEL transmission will fit your truck.
4 speed, 5 speed and 6 speed manuals will all fit as well as the A4OD automatic.
The clutch pedal, clutch master cylinder, flywheel will all have to be changed or added.
The six speed does not have a speedometer drive provision for the older style speedo cable.
The six speed also requires changing the transfer case if yours is a 4x4.
You will probably have to get the driveshaft length changed when you swap.
The best route to follow would be to go to a salvage yard and find a truck with the same wheelbase as your truck.
Get the transmission, driveshaft, flywheel, clutch pedal components and cross member out of the donor truck.
If your stuff is all in good working order you may be able to trade it back in for some dollars off on your purchase if you ask nicely.
Notice in the first line I said diesel transmission. The ones in the gas motor trucks will not work. I would also install a new pressure plate and clutch disc, but the ones out of the salvage yard truck will be good for core charges.
4 speed, 5 speed and 6 speed manuals will all fit as well as the A4OD automatic.
The clutch pedal, clutch master cylinder, flywheel will all have to be changed or added.
The six speed does not have a speedometer drive provision for the older style speedo cable.
The six speed also requires changing the transfer case if yours is a 4x4.
You will probably have to get the driveshaft length changed when you swap.
The best route to follow would be to go to a salvage yard and find a truck with the same wheelbase as your truck.
Get the transmission, driveshaft, flywheel, clutch pedal components and cross member out of the donor truck.
If your stuff is all in good working order you may be able to trade it back in for some dollars off on your purchase if you ask nicely.
Notice in the first line I said diesel transmission. The ones in the gas motor trucks will not work. I would also install a new pressure plate and clutch disc, but the ones out of the salvage yard truck will be good for core charges.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,511
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
another very important thing to remember. your c/6 in a non computer trans . if you go with an overdrive auto, you need the full wireing harness and computer for it to work. and the 6 speed stuff is very expensive if you forget something.
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as of right now im leaning more torwards the 5sd man. how long do u think it will take? i use the truck just about every day for towing so it cant be down for too long. also how much $ do u think it will take from start to finish?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Parts and labor costs are so different from one part of the country to the next that that would be hard to say.
Locally I can get a six speed and transfer case for 2500 dollars.
A five speed alone is around 1200.
After that you are looking at the swap labor and the clutch pedal assembly parts plus install.
A good tranny shop should be able to do it in one day.
Locally I can get a six speed and transfer case for 2500 dollars.
A five speed alone is around 1200.
After that you are looking at the swap labor and the clutch pedal assembly parts plus install.
A good tranny shop should be able to do it in one day.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Amarillo, TX
Sound like you are going to but $2-3K into a truck that is not even worth that. Maybe you should look in to getting a mid 90's truck or even a PSD. I think you will be alot happier in the end, and I bet you spend abou the same.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Guess I am clear nuts for putting a 7000 dollar motor in my 86 then.
I even put a 2500 dollar front axle under it the same year.
And I also have a six speed tranny and transfer case to go in it till I ran into the speedo problem.
Got to be nuts to spend 12,000 on a 20 year old truck in one year.
But I like my old truck a lot more than the new ones.
I even put a 2500 dollar front axle under it the same year.
And I also have a six speed tranny and transfer case to go in it till I ran into the speedo problem.
Got to be nuts to spend 12,000 on a 20 year old truck in one year.
But I like my old truck a lot more than the new ones.
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i could never sell my 88 its been a great truck for the past 3 years. never had a single prob other than regular wear and tear. it also has low miles and is in great condition. i actully had some guy in town offer 5-6K for it but i turned him down.
i was also thinking about doing the job my self to save some $. i did find a 1990 7.3 5sd man for about 8-900 w/o the extras.
i was also thinking about doing the job my self to save some $. i did find a 1990 7.3 5sd man for about 8-900 w/o the extras.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: MI -- farmboy
I have a 89 with 7.3 and a 5spd. I have a heavy Fisher blade on the front and carry a 1400 lb ballast in the rear. I fairly certain I have 4.10 gears and I get 12-14 with the blade off and driving it easy. I can burn a gull tank of fuel in no time with the blade on.
I think the only way you are going to get good mileage is to put a diffrent gear in, maybe 3.55 or lighter. But then you will lose some torque and maybe some towing capacity. I have learned you cant have both. It will either pull great and have awful mileage or have great mileage and not pull worth a hoot. In fact, I own the latter as well. My 99 F150 gets great gas mileage for a ext cab 4wd, but it is just awful to use it for a trailer tow.
I think the only way you are going to get good mileage is to put a diffrent gear in, maybe 3.55 or lighter. But then you will lose some torque and maybe some towing capacity. I have learned you cant have both. It will either pull great and have awful mileage or have great mileage and not pull worth a hoot. In fact, I own the latter as well. My 99 F150 gets great gas mileage for a ext cab 4wd, but it is just awful to use it for a trailer tow.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
I run 3.55's in mine.
And I do tow a LOT.
I can not really imagine having any lower gears, the fuel mileage would be terrible.
Dropping a gear while towing is no big deal, at least I have a bigger gear to go to when I get to the top. After all isn't that what those other gears in the tranny are for?
And I do tow a LOT.
I can not really imagine having any lower gears, the fuel mileage would be terrible.
Dropping a gear while towing is no big deal, at least I have a bigger gear to go to when I get to the top. After all isn't that what those other gears in the tranny are for?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 126
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From: central NY,near Syracuse
another way to go might be the T-19 4spd with a aftermkt 2 spd aux. one of them bolts on in place of the tailstock and looks quite easy in 2x4 setups.I have 3 middle 80s 250's in my back yard. in NY the re are NO good ones left, all rotted away. so to put any money like you are talking is just plain stupid up here. but good luck Phil
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From: Amarillo, TX
Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
Guess I am clear nuts for putting a 7000 dollar motor in my 86 then.
I even put a 2500 dollar front axle under it the same year.
And I also have a six speed tranny and transfer case to go in it till I ran into the speedo problem.
Got to be nuts to spend 12,000 on a 20 year old truck in one year.
But I like my old truck a lot more than the new ones.
I even put a 2500 dollar front axle under it the same year.
And I also have a six speed tranny and transfer case to go in it till I ran into the speedo problem.
Got to be nuts to spend 12,000 on a 20 year old truck in one year.
But I like my old truck a lot more than the new ones.