2000 Ford F150 4.2L 5 speed 4x4 Stepside with a lift. Was wondering about a motor swap from 4.2 to an equivalent or larger Diesel motor. Just wondering if anyone has done it or any thoughts about it.

 

Anything is possible with enough expertise and money. The entire drive train would have to be replaced for beginners since your truck's drive train wouldn't stand up to a diesel. Emissions laws and tests are another matter.

 

The max I'd put in a F150 is a ~2.0-3.0 liter diesel. Diesel engines are heavy.

A 4.2 liter diesel would weigh a LOT and going any bigger would need major modifications to the suspension.

Personally, if I had the time, I would nab a small diesel out of a VW. This way I can have diesel, but also comply with local emissions laws.

I got the shop, the tools, the money, but no time. Mostly the time to deal with the wiring harness and fitting in the small details to make it all work.

To be honest, if you want a diesel, get a F250 w/a 6.7l PSD. Save yourself the trouble.

 

I wouldn't do it. The weight of the diesel can be a problem but that's not the big problem. The big problem is the frame is going to crack due to the vibrations and harmonics from the diesel engine. There's a reason the gas and diesel trucks use a different steel in the frame. I remember well the 83 F250 6.9 I had was clearly marked up and down the frame- Diesel engine only.

 

Look, if they can do it on TV, you can do it too. Dream Big! Your truck is a 2000. If manufactured in 1999, it's almost 20 years old.

Engineer from the ground up. Strip everything down to the frame. Start from there. What would you need to do to reinforce the frame? More crossmembers? Custom crossmembers? Custom mounting brackets for the new engine and transmission? Spec out the engine and transmission combination to work as a complete unit, so that you will have less computer programming to do. Maybe take the 3.2L diesel and transmission from one of those new Transit vans. Now build a brake system and suspension to handle your diesel. Here is where you can cut and shave out the fender for big custom wheels and low profile tires. This will also give you a chance to do body work needed for dents, dings, rust, and changing your doors into gullwings. And this is your chance to get rid of the entire rear end of you truck from the cab back, and install a flat bed, dance floor, and brass stripper pole.

If Chip Foose can spray paint a Hawaiian Shirt pattern on someone's car, you can do this build.

Actually, I agree. Unless you want a challenging project for self gratification, don't do it. Nothing wrong with a project like that to make yourself feel good in the end. But it is completely not effective, cost, time, or labor wise to try to build a diesel truck. If you really need a diesel, building your own is not an option.

 

This will be the general consensus.

 

Why don't you remove the FL-400S filter, and install an FL-1A? Let us know how that works first.

 

The only diesel swap I've ever heard of into that generation F150 is a Cummins 4BT.