Diesel Engine Conversions Diesel Engine Swaps , 4bt Diesel and All Diesel Engine Conversion Related Discussions

3/4 or 1 ton with 4bt

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 14, 2015 | 09:41 AM
  #1  
pease's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Question 3/4 or 1 ton with 4bt

Hi all I was wondering if anyone was aware of someone who's done this: put a 4bt in 3/4 or 1 ton truck. So, if I have a 88-94 f250 extended cab would a 4bt be enough to power it? If I can gain 5mpg and lose 5000lb towing capacity vs a 12v, than it's worth it to me. I don't see myself towing huge amounts of stuff, maybe a camper or a car hauler occasionally.

I've recently given up aspirations of importing an early 90s diesel land cruiser, it's just too damn expensive. so the idea is to make a vehicle platform with what I have available in the USA. I want select-able 4x4, leaf sprung FF axles, and the ability to run WVO. I like the cummins because of timing gears - sleeved pistons would be nice but I guess you can't have everything.

I'm very partial to the late 80s early 90s F series, as it was the last of the big 3 to provide leaf sprung front axles. The 4 doors are too long for me, so the hypothetical recipient would be a F250 with an axle swap out of a 350.

Transmission is still up in the air. Would the zf5 be good candidate or would I need to use a GM transmission? I've heard a lot of horror stories about the e4od, and have seen people hook up the GM 700r4 to the 4bt. I'm not 100% sold on autos, i prefer simplicity and ability to start without electricity that comes with a stick but that torque converter is nice for crawling and towing.
 
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2015 | 01:58 PM
  #2  
gh0stman's Avatar
Diesel Wrench
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 842
Likes: 65
Default

I would forget the 4bt and go with the 12v or better. The 4bt will do nothing but **** you off in the long run only due to the size of the truck and the amount of power required to make it move.
 
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2015 | 03:32 PM
  #3  
Bigg Redd's Avatar
Diesel Bomber
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 311
From: TEXAS
Default

x2
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2015 | 01:52 PM
  #4  
u2slow's Avatar
Diesel Wrench
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 549
Likes: 20
From: Salt Spring Island
Default

+1

6BT is cheaper/easier in the end. Get the whole 'kit' from one Dodge truck. Intercooled or not isn't a big deal. Getrag works fine. VE pump will get you the best economy.

Adapting a ZF should be OK so long as its a 460 or diesel version. The other patterns don't work. Would not bother converting to a cummins and pairing with an auto... but maybe a 47RH if I absolutely had to have auto.
 

Last edited by u2slow; Oct 30, 2015 at 01:55 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2015 | 05:00 AM
  #5  
gh0stman's Avatar
Diesel Wrench
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 842
Likes: 65
Default

I would go with a NV4500 over a Getrag. The 47rh will hold for a little shile but you will be looking at a nice chunk of change to upgrade.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 AM.