6BT in a '97 F-250 HD???

[me4osu]

Well, the wife is approaching 170,000 miles on the 460 in her Furd 4x2. And she actually brought up the notion of swapping it for a Cummins! As you can imagine, I was quite "excited" after she mentioned that . Once I had enough blood in my brain to think again, it actually sounds like a great idea. A full 4-door truck with more power and twice the fuel economy. I think the wrapper should last 300k or 400k more miles, and with a Cummins, the engine would too. 7-8 grand for the swap would be a lot cheaper than dropping $30,000. 00 on a new CTD RAM.



She wants a quiet engine, but I don't want to drop the coin for a common rail ISB. I was thinking of putting in a re-man 6BT with an NV-4500, and I was wondering if any of you knew a place in Texas that would do it. I don't have the time to do the swap, because that is her daily driver, and we need it done within a week. I have looked at the Ford-Cummins place, but can't see hauling her rig all the way to the great white North. I was thinking that I could amass all of the necessary parts over time, buy the engine, but it in the back and drop it off.



Anyway, does anyone have any names of some shops that could do this near Houston, TX (or within 300mi)? Thanks.

 

[cjohnson1]

Look up Mark Kendrick on this board. He has a shop in Fort Worth that could probably do it. He knows his stuff. And has one ofthe best welders working with him I know. A weeks time frame would be pushing it... . But, If a kit from the guys up north was on the table it could be done quicker. But if your going to pay labor you might want to multiply that figure by two or three. I've got $10K in mine and have done 100% of the work.



I'm with you on the idea though. I like the looks and size of the old Ford 4 doors. My wife was saying last night how she hoped my conversion would let us get a few more years out of the old Motorhome. I had to tell her that if we didn't crash it somewhere the drive train would last us the rest of our lives.



CJohnson

 

[bvanetten]

Randy Bleuth with Reliable Diesel can do this blindfolded. I think he has done over 80 fords to date. Problem is he is in Meas Az. I think what you are asking would probably cost $12K for Randy to do it. Unless you do all of your own work I'm not seeing you getting on the road for 7 to 8 grand. Sorry, been there, done that and that price range is tough if you do your own work let alone hire it all out.



Bruce

 

[backroad]

And it's a lot of work. The little things really add up, especially when you do things the hard way like me.

 

[backroad]

Randy @ Reliable in Mesa, Az does a VERY NICE conversion. At least the ones i've seen

 

[me4osu]

Thanks for the replies.

As far as doing the job myself, I have a good size shop, but no welder and only a 2-ton cherry picker. The main thing is time (I don't have much).



We are still kicking it around, but thanks for the help. When we get serious about the conversion, I'll probably give those guys a call. Thanks.

 

[BFaoro]

WOW

Try this place, plus you can get the parts to do it yourself.

Fordcummins.com