Motor Swap Idea...
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New User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Motor Swap Idea...
i have a 79 bronco that i have had for years and it has alot of power loss when towing. i used to drive it all the time to go wheelin' but now i got a 69 bronco for wheelin to keep the 79 just for towing. i want to upgrade to something that will give me alot more pulling power the the 351m.... and i dont really think a 460 will give me decent fuel mileage... sooo i have been pondering putting a 7.3 turbo deisel in it. i know i would have to transfer all the computers and things like that... but am i thinking to crazy... or do yall think it might work... short wheel base... tons for torque... i would keep the 4x4... and i would put the overdrive trans out of the donner truck in it... what do you think...
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
I would just change the gears, but I'm lazy 
For tow only vehicle I wouldn't worry much about mpg, unless you're doing cross country trips. In amy case, if I'd need a tow vehicle, I'd just keep the donor truck as-is. (assuming it's not totaled or rusted out) Did I say I'm lazy?
Some people had done diesel swaps, so it's doable. (just search this forum)
For tow only vehicle I wouldn't worry much about mpg, unless you're doing cross country trips. In amy case, if I'd need a tow vehicle, I'd just keep the donor truck as-is. (assuming it's not totaled or rusted out) Did I say I'm lazy?
Some people had done diesel swaps, so it's doable. (just search this forum)
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
Love the idea. Personally I'd consider the newer smaller 6.0 turbodiesel. Its smaller and stronger than its predicessor.
(You mentioned the 69 Bronco. I have a friend who is currently putting a four-cylinder CAT diesel from a Case trencher into his 74. He did the math and figures it will outpull any 302-equipped early Bronco out there).
(You mentioned the 69 Bronco. I have a friend who is currently putting a four-cylinder CAT diesel from a Case trencher into his 74. He did the math and figures it will outpull any 302-equipped early Bronco out there).
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
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From: Wheatland, Mo
It has been done...with alot of work. Have to switch out the drive train, tranny, and all the goodies you already mentioned. Too much torque for a stock drive train. Would be a hell of a Bronco tho.
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New User
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well the donor truck im looking at is smashed and the 79 is just sitting... i would go with the 7.3 because i have herd the 6.0 has had some problems with the heads and such... but i dont know... the 6.0 is a little more expenceive too... i can pick up a wrecked 95 F350 with the 7.3 turbo for under $2000 and use the dana 60's and suspention in the bronco with ease... i could even make the dana 60 match up to the coil overs in the bronco front end... this would also eliminate having to worry about what tire size i go... the deisel will have the power to turn over most anything i put on it because i would still lift it even thought its a towing only truck... it has to look cool...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
That sounds like a cool project. I would take a 7.3 over a 6.0 because of the early (and serious) problems the early 6.0's had. I understand they are corrected now, but I'd still be cautious.
If you have the donor truck, you have everything you need to do the swap. The Dana 60 front axle is a huge bonus, too. I'd think a 7.3 would tear apart the stock axles under repeated abuse.
If you have the donor truck, you have everything you need to do the swap. The Dana 60 front axle is a huge bonus, too. I'd think a 7.3 would tear apart the stock axles under repeated abuse.
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New User
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the stock 9 inch and dana 44 can only handle up to 35 inch tires without to much wear... so i can only imagine putting 1000 ft lbs of torque to them... there would be nothing left... if im goin to do the swap ill put bigger injectors... bigger injector pump, and a bigger oil pump... just to avoid headachs down the road... and ill prolly put a chip in it aswell... if you goin to do it do it right...
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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I would re-gear it, and then if still needed drop the 460 in. The 7.3's don't make much towing power unless there turboed, and the milage might only be 1 or 2 mpg better that the 460 anyways. And a 460 will sure out pull a 7.3 without the turbo.
A 5.9 Cummins is also a popular swap and will pull better than the 7.3 will. The low end will allow you to run 3.55 gears and still have a good tow rig, plus they are known to get up to 26mpg. Or if you do go with a 7.3 diesel an ATS turbo or a Banks Sidewinder will sure make the engine come alive, but your looking at a $3000 cost.
A 5.9 Cummins is also a popular swap and will pull better than the 7.3 will. The low end will allow you to run 3.55 gears and still have a good tow rig, plus they are known to get up to 26mpg. Or if you do go with a 7.3 diesel an ATS turbo or a Banks Sidewinder will sure make the engine come alive, but your looking at a $3000 cost.
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New User
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i would only put a 7.3 turbo in it... and i dont like towing with a cummins beacuse when you get into the hills the trans shifts to much which creates alot of wear and tear... although there is a cummins twin turbo kit that would be really sweet... but i still like to fun all ford in my rig's ... with a 460 your lucky to get 10 mpg without towing... towing ur lookin at about 6 to 8 mpg... when we have the powerstroke with a bobcat on it we are geting 12 mpg... and a bobcat weights more then what my 69 bronco does...
