ideas for a build
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Adams TN
ideas for a build
so i bought a 78 F150 long bed 4x4.......and im going to take it down to the frame and restore it. my intentions are to lift it 4 or 6" not sure which, and 35's and paint it highland green with a nice set of wheels.....
a/c? should i add it while i have the cab apart, or just leave it out? aftermarket?
engine:300I6 will it have a problem turning 35's with 3.50's? or should i swap if for a 460? ive about ruled out any kind of gas milage with an old heavy 4x4 so i figure both the 300 an the 460 would get about the same?
power windows and door locks?? worth adding?
i'd like to make it a driver not a daily driver but....if iw ant to take it on a 100 mile trip one day i'll take it. so comfort will probally be a concern
im open to ideas. just trying to get some others opinions to see what i can do better to improve what i am trying to go for with this truck.
a/c? should i add it while i have the cab apart, or just leave it out? aftermarket?
engine:300I6 will it have a problem turning 35's with 3.50's? or should i swap if for a 460? ive about ruled out any kind of gas milage with an old heavy 4x4 so i figure both the 300 an the 460 would get about the same?
power windows and door locks?? worth adding?
i'd like to make it a driver not a daily driver but....if iw ant to take it on a 100 mile trip one day i'll take it. so comfort will probally be a concern
im open to ideas. just trying to get some others opinions to see what i can do better to improve what i am trying to go for with this truck.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Vancouver Island
man i tell ya if your gonna do it, do it right, ac for sure and i'd go diesel or just upgrade gearing and my buddy did the power window swap with the later guts (i'm sure around here you can figure it out) just my .02
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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I agree, do it right the first time. I want to do the same thing, down to frame and lift. I personally wouldn't go for ac, but I live in northern Alberta. Power windows and locks would be a must for me and you can buy kits fairly cheap. As for the 460, man, I tell you I just went through that and it starts to suck really quick. You step on the gas and it dosen't come back. I am trying to research diesel swaps. Cummins seems to be the way to go as I understand that they are easy to set up. Good luck and would like to see pic's of the build.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Adams TN
ive done a diesel swap or two.... the only thing is its a 150 and idk if a 4cly cummins would do it or not for me......and a 5.9 would be to heavy for a D44?. i have an IH pickup that gets 7mpg on a good day......sooo i dont think a 460 could get much worse haha.
soooo power windows are a check
a/c if its gonna be a driver i guess is a must....now factory or aftermarket?
i figure if i have a frame i can put whatever motor in it i want. a diesel would require a hot(+) to the IP and thats it unless i went with a computer controlled. even then the newer common rails only require 3 wires to run, the computer and harness is on the engine itself.
as far as interior goes, i would like buckets possilby with a n ice console....or a nice split leather bench.
with a 460 though, power is never a problem......stick your right foot in it, its there.
would a disk brake conversion on the 9" be worth it??
soooo power windows are a check
a/c if its gonna be a driver i guess is a must....now factory or aftermarket?
i figure if i have a frame i can put whatever motor in it i want. a diesel would require a hot(+) to the IP and thats it unless i went with a computer controlled. even then the newer common rails only require 3 wires to run, the computer and harness is on the engine itself.
as far as interior goes, i would like buckets possilby with a n ice console....or a nice split leather bench.
with a 460 though, power is never a problem......stick your right foot in it, its there.
would a disk brake conversion on the 9" be worth it??
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 32
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From: Morrill,NE
Go with the cummins 5.9. There is a company online that makes kits to swap to your tranny. You find a good used engine or they provide. You can get over 20mpg with the gears you have. You may have twice what you would in 460, but i've had 2 460s and never topped 7mpg. The Dana 44 that came with your 78 is actually the heavier, high-pinion model that, other than not having 8 lug outers, is the same as the F-250 of that year. You will need to get heavier coil springs when you lift it, but you can actually get a set custom made for that motor and weight. I bet the people that supply the kits can help you with that, if not i'll dig up the folks that made me a set when i put a 460 in an early(76) bronco. They were not but $180, 8 years ago, and they were perfect. I told them about the increased weight and that i wanted 5" of lift and they hit it within 1/4 inch after i put it together. When you take it down, make sure you rhino(or other)line the underside of the cab. let me know if i can help.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Adams TN
the only problem i have with a diesel is everybody thinks they are worth 5 grand for a running engine.......i can go buy a gas engine for 100 bucks at a number of places and build it.....if the diesel was cheaper i'd go that route. im kinda building it on a little of a budget.....im a college kid man haha.
next one i want to build is an ex cab shortbed 4x4 f250 an that one will have a common rail cummins 5.9 or 6.7 running 59 electronics.
DT
next one i want to build is an ex cab shortbed 4x4 f250 an that one will have a common rail cummins 5.9 or 6.7 running 59 electronics.
DT
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From: Kingsport, TN
Just a simple question... HOW are you going to use it ? FUN off-road - go with the I-6 and "adjust" the dif gearing. Want POWER - go with the 460 and spend $$$ on gas. How BIG is your wallet ? Look into the I-6 and the 460 forums.... A lot of options for each.
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Adams TN
ive had a 300 with a 4bbl an a cam before, since then i've been spoiled by pre smog bigblocks and 600ftlb diesels and a highreving 302HO so i cant really remember how it did on the highway. its going to be a driver, frame off restoration but i wont be afraid to drive it. i'll probally wax it 20 or 30 times a year....a show truck driver i guess.
gas isnt that big of a deal like i said i have a hopped up 392 IH motor i get to go upwards of 75 miles to the tank with that one......12 gallon tank. but it would be nice if i wanted to take it somewhere on a trip to cruise, have the power to pass easily, run 75-80 on the highway......i may end up putting a 5spd in it for an overdrive. im scared the little 300 with 35's and an overdrive will be a pig on hills with highway gears.
i have friends telling me both ways, keep the 300, get a 460.....the truck has v8 perches already....all i'll need is a bellhousing flywheel and clutch basically. possibly radiator i'll have to check on that.
gas isnt that big of a deal like i said i have a hopped up 392 IH motor i get to go upwards of 75 miles to the tank with that one......12 gallon tank. but it would be nice if i wanted to take it somewhere on a trip to cruise, have the power to pass easily, run 75-80 on the highway......i may end up putting a 5spd in it for an overdrive. im scared the little 300 with 35's and an overdrive will be a pig on hills with highway gears.
i have friends telling me both ways, keep the 300, get a 460.....the truck has v8 perches already....all i'll need is a bellhousing flywheel and clutch basically. possibly radiator i'll have to check on that.
