Im thinking of swapping to a diesel. Currently I have a 92 f150 4.9l ext cab. I have a friend that has a 97 van with a 7.3l turbo I could get pretty cheap or I was thinking of swapping in a 4bt or I could just go with a 5.8l. The truck will mostly be for a daily driver, few highway trips and towing a boat. Im sure sure which motor I want to go with since in terms of mpg the 7.3 and the 5.8 would get about the same. I know the 4bt is top dog in motor swaps, but I havent been able to find one. I know the 5.8l would be the easiest to swap, but I dont know which way I want to go.

 

Why not just sell your current truck and buy one already with the engine you want? It's not like you're sitting on a gold mine of rare trucks with an F150 and a 300 straight six, and the engines you want aren't a semi-exotic swap like a K30 with a 6bt.

F150s are intended for different uses than F250s and F350s. The frames aren't as strong, the suspension isn't designed for the weight of a big diesel, and the drive train will have to be replaced to accommodate the bigger motor.

Half tons just aren't designed for thousand pound diesel engines, and the 4bt isn't designed for pickup truck use.

351/5.8 in a F150 though? I'd imagine that's pretty common, but considering it was a factory option, wouldn't it just be easier to buy a new truck instead of going through the hassle of an engine swap?

 

there are alot of guys that are running 4bt engines never had a prob with them and u wont have to change all that stuff there are half ton chevys supporting the wait just fine and in my opinion ford an dodge half tons were heaver sespension

 

 

Well im not selling the truck because of sentimental value and the only reason why I was considering the 7.3l because I can get a a donor van with everything I need. Im well aware the I would have to change the front suspension to accommodate for the diesels weight. Ive seen half ton trucks with the 4bt. I am just looking for a little insight from guys that have done any of these swaps. To be completely honest I would rather do either the 4bt or 5.8l swap.

 

The 4.9 weighs about 500 lbs
and the 4bt is 750 lbs so you would have to do some suspension work.
There are some guys on here that have put 6bt's in a f150 but I think that is riskie! I would hate to be going down the road and the ball joints brake or hubs, or something like that. There are plenty of 4bt f150 swaps though.
My thoughts are that since F150's didn't come with a diesel let alone a cummins then it doesn't matter which diesel you put in it. I would go with a Mercedes OM606, it has more torque and horse power then the OM617,and you could convert it easy to run without an ECU by using a OM603 fuel pump. And they weigh about the same as the 4.9. Also the are about the same HP and torque (stock) as the 4bt,also the don't vibrate nearly as much as the 4bt, one more thing there not as tall,so they would fit a 4/4 better.

Heres one on eBay, and I'm sure there are more, although I see more 4bt's then Om606's, and A lot of OM617's
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200775750394...84.m1423.l2649

 

chevys supporting cummins thats the subject were on aint it not 6.2 and 6.5 never touched sespension