55 F-100 Diesel Conversion????

[addicted]

OK,

I don't show my face on here to often as I never have anything wrong with my truck and it is my long life truck so I never mod it to much. Mainly I just make a few posts on the bio-diesel section but since I officially belong in this section of the forum and spend my time reading here I figured this would be the best place to post this.

I just purchased my first home and actually have a garage and plan on being in my new location for 3-4 years before the Army picks up and moves me.

I used to own a 53 Ford F-100 PU (My first car I ever rebuilt with my dad) and I drove this in Highschool. I sold it so I could afford to get married right out of highschool and I want it back. I can't find my old truck so I figured I would do one up on it.

I want to start from scratch, by ripping the entire truck down to nothing and starting from there. But here is where you awesome guys who know way more than I do come in.

I want to stick in a cummins (I know I know but work with me) 12 Valve in or a PSD. I have a feeling the 7.3 is a tad to large for the body and I don't know weight specs but a bit heavier as well. I know there is going to have to be some beefing up and modding under there to take the wieght but the lighter the better. Secondly this truck is not going to be a daily driver. It is purely going to be modded for hot-rodding/drag racing, so I know we are all PSD guys here but I can pull more TQ/HP out of the Cummins.

Besides weight and front end work. Wireing of course, and drivetrain substitues, what else do you see being a problem. I know those things drove like a truck and the steering box was crap, and would probably have to work in some sort of powersteering/possibly using the pump from what ever engine I plug in there. I'm going to go with an Auto so need to worry about cutting and installing a clutch. I still do not have the meaasurements but I'm 99% sure there is enough room in there stock for a 5.9L. Of course Motor Mounts would have to be custom made but harder things have been done.

I'm not sure if I'm going to go with a twin turbo set up but probably not. Thank you for any input you guys have. I have a feeling this is going to be around a 3 year project and will suck up every dollar I don't have so any suggestions are welcome. This has been a dream of mine for about a year now and I finally have the means and ability to do it. I just hope I don't have to sell my current baby to afford it all. I'm guessing in the ballpark of around 20K by the time it is all done depending on how much the engine/body of the truck will cost me.

Ohh one last thing. I know in Power Diesel Mag I saw a older truck a 70's chevy or something, but anyone know of anything this old being done.

Thank you, you guys are awesome

Ohh I posted some pics of my first truck just to show you how BAD ***** it is going to be

 

[BBBxcursion]

I have a '55 project. Biggest problem would be a front end to support the weight and making the frame strong enough to handle the torque.

 

[jvencius]

You might also think about a 4BT cummins, not the 5.9. ISB. It's a little (not much) smaller and lighter so it would probably be an easier swap than the 6-cyl.

 

[WD40]

Why not think about using a Dodge truck frame and running gear and sat your body on it. Looks to me like that would be easer and you would all ready have the bigger brakes and power steering. You may have to shorten the frame some. Time to get out the tape measurer.

 

[addicted]

Thank you guys,

This is exactly why I perscribe to this forum. Both of those are excellent ideas. I never even thought of using the Dodge frame. You are right. I might be picking up a body next weekend so the paper pencil and tape mesure might be comming with me. I've never done a transplant of a body on a frame or really seen it done talked about, but I presume it might be a lot easier than working with what I have. I guess we will see. As for the 4BT It would be easier but I really want the power out of the 5.9L. I'm hoping for to get in the quadrupal digits for torque and around the 600HP+ range.

 

[Crumm]

Sounds like a neat project, be sure and keep us informed on the progress

 

[addicted]

Progress

Well I got approval from the wife the other day. She isn't fond on the whole diesel thing as she thinks it is going to be a lot of work but that is the whole point. She loves the classics and remembers lots of good times together in highschool with my 53 so it was an easy sale.

I've done some research and thinking of past vehicle restoration projects and with the ideas given I have decided to stick with the stock body/chassis from a ford.

I looked into Fiberglass bodies and they were really expensive and dodges these days are not to cheap either as the cummins is in popular demand. I also didn't measure but I think it isn't going to be as difficult as I first imagined to convert the truck using the stock chassis.

I've found that it is easy to find a good condition short block and parts are widely available for the 12V. Since everything is going to be modded I figured I would start with a shortblock and work my way up. Especially if I end up trading out the Camshaft.

I actaully may have already found a truck to work with and it is almost exactly what I want. Some wierd little things I would not have done but they are unique and that is what this truck is going to be all about. Only problem is it is a 56 and they made some changes that year to the doors and windows but otherwise the same.

Has electric windows and vents installed and all new wireing. Telescopic power steering with tilt and all new interior. Hood flanges forward instead of back and all new fenders running boards. Rolled front bumper instead of chrome real bumpers. Has slight rake twin I beam and new tires. Pretty neat car and hope to see it in person soon. I'm not fond of the viper yellow but it has a couple rust spots so depending on the extent/extra money for paint it might just stay. It is kind of growing on me though so you never know.

I e-mailed a couple of companies about conversion parts and experience and they were kinda short. I'll know more when I get to that point but basically it is going to come down to cramming it in there as I will use a built tranny specifically for the engine.

Sooo what is next for those who are following

#1: Purchase truck around early Dec
#2: Measurements on Cummins and see what it is going to take to handle weight and size.
#3: Begine body work (this will probably take until summer depending on extent of rust and paint) May be a couple months in that case
#4: Rebuild the front end to handle weight and rear end to handle TQ

The truck has an engine in now that will be removed and he said it Dyno'ed at 444HP and 414TQ, But sorry that is nothing close to where I will be and I'm not sure if that 9" rear end will hold up.

Any thoughts on that? Also I will do some research into ratio's but is there a popular rear end for drag racing.

I'll keep this updated....

Ohh here is the pic of the truck I plan on picking up the DEC.

 

[addicted]

Great NEWS!!!!!

#1: Talked the wife into letting me keep my truck YES!!!! So my Ford is finally off the chopping block forever That means I can finally update the DP and possibly a full exhaust and an intake. Other than that though I'm going to be leaving it with the wimpy little chip I have. Gets me great MPG and truck runs great pulling so why mess with something good. That is what the 56 is for

#2: Picking up the 56 f-100 pictured above Saturday.

Decided to go with a 4BT but am looking for a P-pumped version, which are much harder to find. It will be easier to fit in their and will mean less modifications to the front end as it only wieghts about 100 more pounds than what is in there now. This way I can also keep the standard frame and beef it up vs building a whole new frame.

Glad I get to stick with you guys, was bummed I was leaving the forum soo soon....I really like it here. Will post more on Saturday.