Towing/ motor swap advice.

[gojo83]

Long story short I am saving a 48 ford from becoming a Prius or some other whatever they use scrap for these days. The details. Retired farm grain truck. All there for the essential things. Good bones and going to keep the semi rusty patena. Now the meat of it I know Cummins can make stupid power but they are big. It being a ford the purist will say powerstroke if u swap. Now the duramax and Allison combo is a proven performer. That all said would the headaches be less going boosted lq4. The goal of this is to be a flat bed tow rig and a 5th wheel hauler if possible. I know gas can make power but does diesel make that power easier/more efficiently/ less wear and tear. For what I am paying I could turn the thing into a retro couch and make money but I love seeing old iron running.

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[Sahara54]

What size chassis? I've seen a stock LQ4 in a electric company truck haul ass but if your going for a tow vehicle; I'd look into a diesel.

[shownomercy]

I would stay far far away from voluntarily putting a stockish PSD other than a 7.3 and older in. Not worth the headache.

Any new 6.6 or PSD 6.7 will be crazy expensive as a pull out, so that may limit your choices.

An old mechanically 12v or even a baby 4BT would be a nice easy swap, not sure on what trans hooks up to em but again, an A1000 is no cheap trans.

[Sahara54]

You could also do a older GM 6.5 turbo diesel..I've seen them go cheap. Throw a remote PMD, Turbo Master, and some marine injectors and it's a decent engine.

[BIG CAT]

6bt

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[dawdaw]

3406 or an N14 :)

[30thSSclone]

Big Block swap..
Merica

[Bersaglieri]

Don't waste your money on a gas motor if you're towing a 5th wheel/gooseneck. A 6BT up to 1998.5 will work fine without much wiring, a 47RH for the Auto or Getrag/NV4500/NV5600 for a stick truck. However you haven't mentioned what your towing, how heavy you'll tow, if you'll be reinforcing the frame, changing the suspension to handle the weight of the drivetrain and towing capacity, if the rear end would handle 6BT torque, how you'll run a speedo and gauges. Not to mention if DOT gives you a look and wants to know the rating of that truck vs what you are towing. Diesels are the way to go, but it can become a slippery slope and empty a wallet pretty quick.

[Featherburner]

Big Block swap..
MericaWho doesn't love a big block and 4mpg!

[shownomercy]

Who doesn't love a big block and 4mpg!

I certainly don't!

I like my 12-15mpg while towing.

[noice]

I tow with a 5.3l gas motor and a small flatbed. 12-13 mpg, I am looking at a diesel as i have to get an enclosed trailer in the next few years.

[Bersaglieri]

How small of a flat bed, 12-13mph is pretty good for a 5.3l towing. However altitude and many other factors can change that up real quick. Our Tahoe doesn't get much over 16-17mpg at 4500-8000ft above sea level. I'll be doing at least one gas to diesel conversion over the next year or so, probably more after that.

[Featherburner]

Who doesn't love a big block and 4mpg!


I certainly don't!

I like my 12-15mpg while towing.
That was dripping with sarcasm when I typed it...maybe it dried off before you read it.

[shownomercy]

Nah I caught it loud and clear John :lol:

What does your 6.0 do with the G8?

[Featherburner]

Nah I caught it loud and clear John :lol:

What does your 6.0 do with the G8?The last time I towed to Atco and back I averaged 11.4 MPG.

[noice]

How small of a flat bed, 12-13mph is pretty good for a 5.3l towing.

It is about as light as a single car trailer can get. And the car is super light.

[79LT1Monte]

24v Cummins

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[gojo83]

I am looking to tow a enclosed car trailer. Haul the Trans ams or Gto and then use the trailer to move home/wherever I find a good job. I really don't know any Cummins gear heads around here but I have a dirty max geek friend and a PS buddy I can pick brains on so I'm still considering all options. I want to build it right once Lol. I'm going to build it to tow mostly but exhibition runs would be cool and would love to have it be a high 11 or low 12s up here. I will fully box the frame and build it to handle the power and weight. Below r pics. Going to keep the patena and just hide all the new tech underneath.

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