Been awhile since I've been on here. I had a full plan for the build on my mustang, but then I look at my truck with 190000 miles (Hard miles too).From the searches, alot of talk about these swaps, but none completed, or even attempted as far as I can tell. Not saying I will be able to pull this off, but if I can get a plan laid out I will try like hell.

I need a heavier duty truck, but I dont have the funds for a truck with less then a 125000 miles. The reason for this is I have just had my shop built, bought my vehicle lift, shop press, tools, wielder and everything in between.

I am looking to drop a desiel into this truck. I want to old 12v cummins, just for the fact I wont have to deal with a nightmare of wiring. my transmission of choice will be the ZF6.

My truck currently is a 1997, F150 xlt, standard cab, long bed, 4x4 (push button), 5.4 triton, automatic transmission, 4.10 gears.

I am looking for info on what will be needed to make this happen, what axles will be needed, ideas for beefing up the front suspenion (I will be beefing up the rear reguardless), any info at all.

I would concider the 4bt if their is enough obvious advantages in the build.

take this into consideration, the truck will be torn down to the frame. from that point the frame will be reinforced and paint, then new suspenion, and so on.
I am going to include a body lift in the rebuild so I can clear the transmission and help with the engine clearance.

Just post what info you have, advise, critisism. Everything is greatly appriciated.

 

Simply dropping a diesel into a 1/2 ton pickup does not make it a "heavier duty truck".

 

sounds to me like he is planning more than just dropping in the engine.... now honestly, i would love to see this done, hell id love to do it, but i just dont see it being cost effective.... i think you would be better off finding a wrecked 3/4 or 1 ton if you are going to do a frame off restoration anyway.... at least then you know everything will work together and will hold up the way it should.

 

I relize this. That is why If I decide to do this, I will tear the truck down, beef up the frame, stouter suspenion, 3/4 transmission, and heavier axles.

Fordf150Farmer, Yes, that is another option I have been concidering. It's kind of one of those things of being to stouborn to let go of my truck

 

It's been done before. Jesse @ farmboy fab has a 12v cummins in his f150.

You need to trash the ifs it won't hold the cummins its a 1,200# motor. If you want to keep ifs then go with the 4bt its around 700#s

 

yeah, I've seen the truck by farmboy fab. not going for as much lift. really I'm going to try and keep it as close to stock ride height as possible.