12V Cummins into an '04 F350 gas... worth doing?
 

My buddy has a 2004 F350 with a 5.4 gas engine and automatic that's giving him engine issues. He wants to put a Cummins in it, but is it more trouble than it's worth? I've heard of putting 12V's in Fords, but usually they were at least already a diesel truck. What would be required to make the tranny and electrical work, or would it need an entirely different trans too?

just get an engine with trans so you have everything better yet get a whole truck. yes it worth it, it doesnt really matter if it a diesel already since powerstroke parts dont fit too well on a cummins anyway.

I was thinking more about having to deal with changing the fuel tank and lines over to diesel, the difference in instument clusters as far as rpm range and what temps things are supposed to be acceptable and such. He wants the diesel so it will tow better, but that'll be an investment if he has to make a Dodge auto stand up. I guess I'll tell him to be on the lookout for a wrecked 12V pickup though.

Look thru the conversion section of the site, there's lots of info in those threads. :c:

well all that consists of converting the fuel tank is pouring the gas out and modifying the pick up tube all i did on mine was remove the electric pump and put a piece of steel tube in its place, also change the filler neck if you want, i just cut mine so the diesel nozzle would fit at the fuel island.Im not sure what you mean by "temps are supposed to be acceptable" just be patient, and the deal will come along, i looked and looked and finally found a truck with everything i needed for 1900 dollars, thats charge air cooler to drive line, just hit up craigs list everyday.

Sounds good. By temps I was referring to warning lights and such, all the dash instruments for that matter, getting them to monitor the foreign drive train effectively at all. I'm not thinking a Dodge cluster is going to fit in there, or that the Ford computers won't go beserk when they aren't getting any feedback anymore from sensors/systems that aren't there anymore. My buddy just wants the diesel to tow better, and for some reason he's asking about a Cummins conversion. He has a really, really nice truck, not just a beater project- and I'm just thinking that by the time he gets all this stuff hooked up and working right with fit/finish/functionality he'll be happy with, he'd have been better off selling it and just getting a diesel pickup. Or at least switching the 5.4 out for a Powerstroke to keep it simpler.

the cummins is by far a superior choice and doing the Gasser to diesel has some advantages and some disadvantages

advantages you have a throtle cable and the cam sensor you will need to make your tach work you have to pull the tank because the ford diesel lift pump has too much pressure for the 12v

trans you can buy an adapter plate or the whole kit and make your auto stand alone or you can get a dodge 47rh and stick that $$$$ in the tranny and make it bullet proof

gauges he will want some real ones
oil ford reads the middle if it is over 7 psi it is more of a idiot lite than a gauge
water temp use the ford sending unit
use the check engine light as a glow plug light I found an old dash in a junk yard and took the screen for the glow plug now remember ford uses a negative trigger so you may need to buy some relays to make it all work right

the tach on a 04 not sure how many pulses you need my 99 needed 4


come on over and get some advice on their sister forum

Engine Swaps - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

between this site and the ford one I did mine and am happy the cummins engine is superior and easier to do that putting a power-stroke because the option would be a 6.0 boat anchor

if you get serious I have documented most of my build so I have lots of good info and some useless junk too just pm me and I will send it to you

Awesome! Thanks so much. I'll pass this along, and if he decides he's serious about it I might just take you up on that.

im balls deep in my swap right now and i cant wait for it to be done

On my 04 every light in the dash seems to flash because the computer is getting no signals from the engine. Dont bother me at all I put real gauges in. :jump: