I have a 95 Ford F150 with about 120000 miles on it. The 5.0L is really old and tired. I really like the truck and want to keep it for several years to come. I have a ZF42 5 speed in the truck already. What I want to do is find a v6 or 4-6 cylinder diesel that could be swapped into the truck. I don't need top end just want something that has a lot of low end grunt for four wheeling trails. International/Navistar engines makes the VT275 a V6 diesel with 200 HP and 440 ft-lb of torque. Has anyone ever heard of putting this or an older version into a half ton? I am also looking at a 5.8L. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting a healthy amount of low end torque out of a 5.8L. The truck still needs to be street legal. All ideas and suggestions are welcomed. Thanks for the help.

 

throwing in a diesel engine is going to require a lot of work, so if you go that route, be ready. Wiring alone is going to be a big thing, as well as upgrading suspension to hold that much weght.

To get nice torque out of a 5.8, just build it up for that before you put it in. Your Cam is the major determinant where your torque curve tops out, so choose the one to best suit your needs.

 

To use the diesel you would have to get an adapter from someplace like Advance or Novak to mate to the ZF transmission. If one is not made for that swap you would have to get a transmission that would mate up to the engine. You might do better with the 5.8L and stroking it out to a 408. This is one place that sells stroker kits for Fords: http://www.adperformance.com/