97 f-250/Cummins

[Duster]

What would it take to install a 92 dodge 12 valve in a 97 f-250 that has a 7. 3 powerstroke in it. Also the 5 speed out of the 92 Dodge. Need info on this pretty quick, as the f-250 crew cab is for sale. I already have the 92 cummins 5 speed. Help me out with info guys.

 

[STeichert]

I put a 91. 5 engine in an '02 superduty which is quite a bit different but I will try to cover the basics. Motor mounts, Ford Cummins or Destroked sells them. I used the Ford 6 spd manual transmission so I am not sure what would be needed to use the Getrag. The firewall on the '97 needs pounded back a few inches to make enough room. You can run no intercooler if you want, or you could put one in. The '97 does not have an intercooler. I needed a 3rd gen exhaust manifold to drop the turbo off of the a/c box. I don't know if the '97 has that issue. Ford Cummins has all of the wiring, power steering, etc thing you should need. And then of course quite a lot of money! The fact that you already have the engine is a big plus. The big problem with the;97 f250 is the twin I beam ( I think that is what it's called) front axle. It is a poor design, and has a lot of issues. An f350 has the solid front axle that is much better. I have owned four Dodge Cummins, and wanted to do the project with the Ford,and it is just not as nice as the Dodges. I wanted a full sized back seat long bed and those features are nice, but I still like the Dodges better. It was a fun project and if you like wrenching it is pretty satisfying when it is all said and done.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Ah, I believe the '97 is pretty easy, mechanically. I've done a couple; two of which I still have: an '86 4x4 and a '92 2x4. You didn't state which you have. The 2x4 is a simple drop in. I dropped mine in, centered it as best as I could, and welded me up some motor mounts, using Ford 460 motor mounts and 3/8" steel plates. The cab has to be "modified" with a hammer to make clearance for the back of the Cummins head and valve cover. It is not visible in the cab. The rear crossmember I made, which I used an NV4500, fabricating the center section, but using the two outside sections on the frame.



Exhaust is fairly easy, I used a downpipe off a '92 Dodge the first time, and only changed it as I could get a little more sweep off some custom pipe bent for the job.....



Electrical is pretty simple on mine, but your not gonna find that on yours. This is gonna be the Obama for you, there. There are upwards of 250 pairs of wires running to the PowerJoke. I don't know what to tell you, except call FordCummins or one of the other guys as said above.



The '86 is a 4x4, and it's the same deal as the '92. You need a t-case from a later Dodge, or the Ford one, though.



I used the Ford radiator, A/C condensor, and dual electric fans, with one fan that comes on with the compressor. They tend to be a little weak when pulling a trailer, though.



For the intercooler, Banks used to make one for the 95 style truck, and I found one of those for a '95 gasser I converted. The '92, I used a turbo off a '90 truck and went over the top, non-intercooled. Which is fine unless you want to pull a trailer up Mt Everest at 50mph. Mileage suffers a little..... I used a '95 style Dodge radiator and intercooler in my '86. IT's pretty rough looking but functional, at the moment. It originally belonged to a friend when we did it, and he jury-rigged some things that I'll have to redo at some point.

 

[KBurgoyne]

destorked sells kits to help swap a cummins into most anything especially fords.