I have a 97 f-350 cc 4wd powerstroke. I am going to buy another F-350 to convert to a 5.9 Cummins. Question is, what would be the best one to swap? I am going to get a cc 4wd long bed with a standard tranny. I'm looking at a 92-94 non powerstroke. Would I be better off with a gas or diesel platform to start with? The electronics are my main concern. I am assuming a 7.3 idi would be easiest, however a gasser would be cheaper. Thanks for any help!

 

I believe the only things different between the two is the hydro booster and throttle cable but I'm not sure.If you can find a gas one for half the price and not rusted to hell i would use that.

 

check your local laws first. i mean, do you live in a smog area? or does your state do vehicle inspections? i mention this as they would be less likely to hassle you if you swapped a smaller diesel in place of a larger diesel, where-as they could really stick it to you swapping in a diesel to where a gasser was originally

 

^^ good advice ^^

I have been considering a Cummins/Ford swap myself as I now need a 4 door truck. Usually to be legal you need to swap in a newer engine than the year of truck.

 

ya, but i think crammin a diesel in where a diesel werent might negate the newer engine than the platform, as they have different smog b.s. tests. but ifn youre like me, i live in a emissions county, but it goes by zip code, not whole county wide. its nice livin' in the sticks sometimes

 

I live in the sticks of NY. I do need to check the laws regarding the swap. I'm going to get a southern or western rust free truck to do the swap. I guess I'll stick with the idi and make my dream truck!

 

If there is no smog test for you then you got nothing to worry about.Just watch your craigslist for a engine maybe trans depends what year idi you find you might get away with keeping the trans it has.

 

or make friends with the inspector. more likely a gearhead, or at least a kid who could use a $20 or whatever you feel necessary will suffice

 

gas and idi are basically the same, but gas is usually cheaper. Powerstrokes have no throttle cable so there's a little more work involved. Wiring wise, ford was pretty good about making most the wiring the same between gas or diesel, but wiring will mainly depend on what cummins your putting in. 89-93 12v needs 1 12volt wire to run, 94-98.5 12v needs 3 wires to run. 24v and commonrails get quite a bit more complicated electrically but lots have been done.

 

I'm gonna go 94-98.5 Cummins. I want a crew cab 4wd standard duallie. That is a hard combination to find. Good thing is, I'm in no hurry! I'd like to find a wrecked Dodge for the swap.