60 diesel swap

[Dannyfj60]

ok, so to start, I've been back and forth on building this thing or not. Tried to part it out and no one would come get anything, my mechanic has had it for 4 months for a carb rebuild (yes I can build one, but I am ultra busy and figured he'd do it fast. I was wrong) so, now I'm finally thinking I'll just go get it back and start building it. Of course the regular stuff came to mind, 4bt (way too expensive) 6bt (wasn't too expensive last year but motor prices have doubled) was looking at Toyota diesels but they seemed too expensive, looked at om617 but the cost to make it work is substantially more than the motor cost, which doesn't make sense to me. So, I just discovered this 6at cummins. Seems like it's physically an easy motor to drop in, and I can keep the rest of my stock set up, which is why I like the older cruisers. So, my basic idea is 6at and an adapter to my trans. I have access to a machine shop, and I can weld up whatever needs fab. Of course, I have a few questions.
1) I heard that the bolt pattern on the 6at is sbc pattern. So I could just use a sbc to h42 adapter?
2) is there a cheaper/better choice?

I'll be driving the truck while I get parts together, probably going to pick it up tomorrow and order my carb kit.

This is a budget build, I'm a fresh out of school, broke as could be aspiring farmer. Who is also building a house as soon as the cottage style shed is delivered. So the truck will have progress made, but it will be slowed by a tight budget. Any info is appreciated. Price dependent, there's always a chance I'll leave it. My dad and I have put over 100k miles on it since he bought it. Was actually a cool cruisers truck back in its day.

 

[cruisermatt]

Looks like a cool motor. A guy sold a 6AT powered 60 on here back in 2010, name is cosmo.

You're going to want an overdrive. I'd really recommend an NV4500 rather than the H42.

What tire size are you looking at? With 33's, 3.73's and an NV4500's gearing that will be a really good setup.

 

[Dannyfj60]

Looks like a cool motor. A guy sold a 6AT powered 60 on here back in 2010, name is cosmo.

You're going to want an overdrive. I'd really recommend an NV4500 rather than the H42.

What tire size are you looking at? With 33's, 3.73's and an NV4500's gearing that will be a really good setup.

Those transmissions are worth their weight in gold around here. then I'd need an adapter from the nv4500 to my transfer case. I should look into it, my buddy just rolled his half ton Chevy a few weeks ago

 

[GLTHFJ60]

How much are you getting the 6AT for that it's significantly cheaper than a 6BT? I've seen the 6BT go for less than $2k all over the place.

Look into the Isuzu 4BD1T and 4BD2T as well.

 

[Dannyfj60]

How much are you getting the 6AT for that it's significantly cheaper than a 6BT? I've seen the 6BT go for less than $2k all over the place.

Look into the Isuzu 4BD1T and 4BD2T as well.

I will, I will. I found one for around 1200 If I recall, but the difference is that there's not massive extra mods to go with it. I can hook it to my existing drivetrain. It doesn't/won't do any real serious off roading, mostly gravel roads and back roads to work, and the occasional light trail for camping/hunting.

 

[Dannyfj60]

Phew! Those things are high too! If I'm going to have to spend that much I'd rather do a full drivetrain swap and stick a 6bt in there.

 

[Dannyfj60]

If I could find some of those Luke's adapters for the om617 that's what I would go with, but I can't find any. If I had access to the old shop I worked in I'd just make myself an adapter

 

[boots4]

I know you are trying to do a diesel but if you are that tight on funding at the moment why not consider a V8?

 

[bluehawk]

look up 69rambler for an adapter. I did the 4BD1t and used his adapter and its a good set up. A little extra fab for the remote oil filter set up but a pretty simple set up

 

[tclark]

I've looked at that 6at before too and it seemed like a great option, just a little underpowered and maybe hard to get parts for. Could the output be bumped up a bit without major mods?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

One of the big advantages to doing an engine swap (of any kind) is much greater parts availability. Why swap in another obscure, or old, motor that you'll have trouble finding parts for?

 

[Output Shaft]

^^^
Exactly!

 

[tclark]

Why drive a 30yr old truck that's hard to get parts for?

Ideally, at least for how I intend to use it, I wouldn't be needing parts all that often to start with. I figure a simple, durable diesel oughta run for quite a while without any major issues when not driven all that much.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Why drive a 30yr old truck that's hard to get parts for?

Because they're awesome!! However, it's not an original 30 year old truck if you change the engine, so I say put something in that's a bit more modern and serviceable. Yes, an 8v or 12v cummins would be considered modern compared to the stock 2F.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Ideally, at least for how I intend to use it, I wouldn't be needing parts all that often to start with. I figure a simple, durable diesel oughta run for quite a while without any major issues when not driven all that much.

If you do decide to go the 6AT route, it doesn't look like there are much in the way of "performance parts" for the motor, but it does look to have a bosch VE style injection pump on it. If it is, then you should be able to tune the AFC and full power screw (fueling levels) to get more performance. Match that with a decent turbo and you might have yourself a peppy little motor.

No clue on the strength of the motor though, so don't go too crazy with the power modifications.

Here's what I could find without spending too much time.

6at cummins? - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Onan 6AT Conversion, How is it? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

 

[Dannyfj60]

Talked to a man who had one, and basically says it's not worth it for 6at. I don't want to go with a v8 because I've got a 76 scout with a 345 already, no real interest in 2 v8 4x4 suv's. So if I do anything it'll probably be cummins 6bt and just go with full drivetrain swap. End up with a very easily modified platform, tons of power, aftermarket, blah blah blah. So, looking like she'll just stay stock until I get the parts together.

 

[tclark]

Because they're awesome!! However, it's not an original 30 year old truck if you change the engine, so I say put something in that's a bit more modern and serviceable. Yes, an 8v or 12v cummins would be considered modern compared to the stock 2F.

Haha, they are that! I get the serviceable aspect, but I also like simple and as little electronics as possible hence the interest. I'd also rather not have to do major mods to driveline and suspension just for a motor swap, so most Cummins are out.
At the end of the day when I ever get around to it I'll likely end up going with the 4bd. I'm always exploring other options but keep coming back to that one.

 

[crashmonk]

Looks like a cool motor. A guy sold a 6AT powered 60 on here back in 2010, name is cosmo.

You're going to want an overdrive. I'd really recommend an NV4500 rather than the H42.

What tire size are you looking at? With 33's, 3.73's and an NV4500's gearing that will be a really good setup.

Those transmissions are worth their weight in gold around here. then I'd need an adapter from the nv4500 to my transfer case. I should look into it, my buddy just rolled his half ton Chevy a few weeks ago

I built my mitsubishi swap with a 2wd nv4500 I bought for 300 bucks. It even had a rebuild tag on it from the year before. I bought a 4wd output shaft for 120 I believe and an AA adapter for 550 to the split case.

33s nv4500 and 3.73s turn about 2100 at 70 mph.

Is that too far out of your budget? Idk how much cheaper it can get

 

[orangefj45]

Gifu on here had a 60 with a 6AT in it years ago .....

 

[KeepCruzin]

The Izuzu NPR diesels can be had for about 2k for the full drivetrain. I almost went with that option but I broke down and got a 12HT.