7.3 powerstroke in a F100
 

Hey guys I need some information...
Long story short my brother totaled my dads 97 250, they have the option of buying it back from the insurance for about $800. Now I'm wondering if I can drop the 7.3 and tranny and all in my 77 single cab f100. I can fab any brackets or whatever I need I'm just currious if it will actually fit. Any information or links would be greatly appreciated!

I'm thinking of doing this sometime too. I'm gonna watch this thread.

They will fit but you have to stiffin up the suspention alot and brace the frame basicly everywhere so it does not get twisted in half by the torque of the engine.

I have seen the D-Max conversions in Chevy's, and its a pretty tight fit. But it is doable so I would imagine the Ford would be fairly similar in terms of fit.

I would start with a F250/350 for the heavier frame, and running gear to start.

The differences are pretty big from a F100, and depending on your futrure plans maybe boxing the frame would not be a terrible idea. Especially if your looking for big HP.

Like its already been said, You`d have to some serious suspension mods to make it a F.250 at least. It will fit but it will be tight. Then theres the issure of wiring that monster into the truck. I`d probably just leave it because of all the wiring but thats just my opinion.

Either way....whether you put it in your F100 or not...............buy the truck back. You can probably get $1500-2500 out of the engine by parting it out..............especially if the prospective buyer can hear and see it run. I personally would shy away from a Power Stroke swap due to the electrical part of getting it in and running. I own a 96 with a 7.3 and love it but I am swapping a 4BT Cummins into my 78 F150 for simplicity. The PS swap could be done, but not easily.

This will give you an idea of what your getting into.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-96-frame.html
Also just as 78 PEB says if you could get it back for$800 you mideswell even if you dont do the swap you could still part it out and make a few bucks.

Stuffing an older non-psd 6.9/7.3 into the engine bay of a 73-79 can be done, and has many times. The turbo systems designed to be a bolt-on swap in the later model trucks, requires extra effort to clear the firewall in this generation engine bay. I guess the later model trucks just have a bit more room under the hood, between the radiator support and firewall.
I would assume a PSD would be about the same, since the turbo is in much the same location. Plus, you would need all the wiring from the donor to run that engine.
Doable? Yes. Easy? No.

Thanks for all the info...opened my eyes to a couple things. No doubt it would be a ton work, but definitely worth it. I don't know if the frame is salvageable or not, if it is maybe I could do a body swap like in the link 650 posted. Definitely have some thinking to do. Thanks again for the help.

I have done multiple motor swaps and body swaps. The motor swap is easier most the time. Wiring shouldnt be that big of an issue sense its a 97. There will be some wiring but just get a book and trace every wire from the harness to where it goes. You will find most cases there is only about 5 to 10 wires you really need to deal with. As for the frame box it and call it good. The front axle is the same as a f 250 just different outter brakes. You can easliy upgrade that. Get some lift springs to counter the wieght. The exhuast will be the issue with the down pipe.

First off, is your truck a 2wd or a 4wd? Anyways here's a guy on youtube who swapped in a 7.3 in his '79:
YouTube - ‪79 ford 7.3L powerstroke part 2 ...Pretty Penny is FORSALE!!‬‏
It's either a F-150 or F-100 because it's a shortbed, they never made a single cab shortbed F-250 or F-350 from 73-79. He has a few more videos of it on his channel.

so what did you end up doing?

I wanna do something similar with my 73 f-100 but i wonder if its a easier route just to do a body swap.

Welcome to FTE. You are correct, the body swap is the way to go. The F100 frame and suspension and brakes is not up to the weight of the 7.3. Heck it's hardly up to the 300 six....:-X04

Ive seen 2 5.9s stuffed in one so Im sure you can get a 7.3 In there snug