Diesel upgrade!!!
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From: where the deer and antelo
Does anyone have the actual cost to put the cummings into a 78-79 F250 4x4? I know there are a lot of variables, such as cost of the donor truck, whether you do the labor yourself or hire someone, etc. I just wonder if it's a feasible and economical option. I love my 79 lariat and will not get rid of it, but I haven't driven it since '04 due to the terrible gas mileage with the 429. I believe I'm capable of doing this swap myself, I did the 429 swap in this truck while I was in high school, though that was easy (my opinion). I enjoy doing light fab. work, such as power steering conversion on my '72 F250 4x4. Just curious what the cost are from the guys that have already completed the swap and if they thought it was worth it.
Thanks
Thanks
If you pay $2000 for a donor, you have that cost plus any adapters, fuel lines, material for brackets, motor mounts ect…. I had to buy a $400 adapter for the NV4500 transmission I used from the Dodge donor to mate to my NP205 transfer case. I had all the metal for fabing brackets and mounts. I did all the work myself. After selling my 460, 4 speed trany, Dodge front and rear axles, I have about $1000 in my swap. I did it on a budget, and if I had it to do over I’d have about another $500 (and several hours additional time) in it for oil seals, KDP fix and other things I should have done while I had the engine out.
Was it worth it? For fuel savings alone I’d say no. The way I drive the truck it is about $300 a year. If I drove the truck 30,000 miles a year it might be a different story. For cool factor I’d say yes in a heart beat. Would I do it again? If I find a crew cab 4X4 I’m there. I’d also do a 4bt in a short bed F150 (that is in the scheming stage right now)
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1979f_100
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Dec 16, 2006 10:53 PM
