6.9 Ford Diesel into a fj55

[poseidon]

Hi guys,

Just trying to get my plans laid out well in advance. I was originaly planning to put a 4bt into my fj55 at some point in the future but I may have a new plan.

I got a great deal on a 80s ford 4x4 with a rebuilt motor. It has the 4speed tran with granny low. I am using it as my tow rig now but was wondering if I could squeeze it into a SOA pig with limited cutting. Has anyone tried this swap?

I am thinking the 4spd may be one of those np435s and if it is an adaper to my 3spd case wouldn't be too hard to get.

Being an old school diesel it doesn't have electronics to worry about or a turbo, intercooler....

What do you boys think?

E

 

[Mace]

gutless

 

[cali-cruiser]

Buy a turbo for it and keep it in the tow rig. Running a 3spd behind it would be descruction for sure and a 4bt is hard to fit, and a 6.9 would be close to impossible.

If its a F350 just take off the bed and lift it a little Maybe a shackle reversal and run what you got on the trail.

4bt would be much easier to put in your 55.


Is that an auto 4 speed, cause that would just further complicate things and take up a lot more room/length.

My $0.02

 

[JasonH]

I've got an old F350 with the 6.9 in it. I don't like towing with it, but it sure is a smooth running motor. I added a turbo to it and it drives super nice. It still doesn't tow nearly as well as my 12V Cummins, but it sure does drive nicer.
I think that would be a sweet motor for a 55 if you can get it to fit.

 

[poseidon]

It is a stickshift 4spd.

It is the F250 not the 350.

I haven't shecked but i think the 6.9 has more power than the 4bt and I believe is quieter.

Becasue it is the 4wd it has a low first gear and lower gears in the front and rear that really help for towing, not a speed demon but better.

E

 

[ridgerunner]

I haven't shecked but i think the 6.9 has more power than the 4bt and I believe is quieter.

I vote for a tow rig as well. The 4BT is a loud beast and the 6.9L may have more power, but that's not to say it does anything driveability. The 330ft-lbs of a 4BT pushes a 55 around REALLY well.

But if you're deadset, be sure to put in an overdrive into the pig no matter what engine you use.

 

[labartonmd]

I think the width is the limiting factor. I couln't find a listing for the Ford/ Navistar 6.9/ 7.3. The width of a sbc from valve cover to valve cover is about 22". At that dimension, things clear but not by much. If that Ford is more than 24" wide you start talking big blocks headaches. The 6.9/ 7.3 motors had some porosity problems with the block. It is essential that you replenish the coolant additives yearly.

 

[Mike S]

I put about 120,000 miles on my old '84 F250 4X4. It had the 6.9L Diesel and 4 speed. It is a very good engine. The tranny that you have, if stock, is a Borg Warner T-19 - basically a T-18 with first gear synchro. This is an incredibly stout transmission.

This is the International Deisel, and is industrial strength, but heavy. If it will fit into the engine bay, it would probably drive for a long time. Yoy would have to beef up the suspension to make it work in a 55.

M

 

[haystax]

I have a '84 F-250 w/ 6.9L - kinda gutless, has ran forever though

Be very careful with adding a turbo - those motors don't handle the extra heat as well as the later 7.3s - watch your guages and don't get in a hurry and you should do fine.

They are relatively quiet, louder than the Chevy 6.2 but a better motor IMO

Stock exhaust was WAY too small, larger exhaust really helps a ton

Don't know how heavy but the crappy TTB D50 front axle in mine is always eating bushings and cannot keep it aligned - probably isn't too much heavy than the Toyota F

I've pulled pretty big loads and never had any clutch or trans troubles and the thing is dead simple to work on - fuel solenoid and cold idle kick-up are basically the only electric parts besides glow plugs

11 volt Chevy glowplugs and a seperate relay on a button on the dash is mandatory - stock 6V glowplugs and timer really suck.

 

[canadian bum]

I can't see a person swappin this engine into a cruiser it is a better used in a fullsize. I don't see why people swap in GM diesels either because of there paper wieght reputation. Oh well if you want to do it it is your choice and that is what is great about modifying you do it the way you want.