Engine Swap

Tiny
BEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD F-150
  • 150,000 MILES
I own a 1999 F150 2wd Ext Cab and I want to swap out the broke down 4.6 for a 4bt Cummins. I was wondering what the basic set up I would need to make this happen for the engine and trans. For example would I need to replace the trans or are there adapters.

I already have the 4bt sitting in the garage and a cherry picker, I'm just looking for the experts to point me in the right direction considering this will be my first conversion.
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 9:53 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
You don't want to even attempt something like that. The operating system in you truck being for a different engine is only the beginning of your problems, not to mention that it's against federal law to make a modification like that to an emissions certified vehicle.
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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
BEN
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First off thank you for your responce, second I was unaware of the legalities of such a conversion. I know Farmboy Fabrication did a similar task with a 12V, I just thought it would be a neat project.
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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 10:39 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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It's not legal to drive on US highways modified like that. It would be an enormous project.
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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
BEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well doesnt it just needs to be Compliant with todays emission standards? I already knew it would be a big project, ill need to not only swap out the engine but the cpt also, etc. Accourding to my local auto center as long as it is OBD2 compliant and the title shows that its a diesel swap I might be good to go. After all Ford used the 4bt in there old frito delivery trucks, something tells me this is possible its just going to take time and a budget. I trust your answer and thank your for taking the time to reply again im just trying to look at this from all sides.
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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No, that's not how it works. When that vehicle left the plant every piece of that vehicle was certified as a specific combination and any modifications to it's emissions after that are not allowed.
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 AT 12:19 AM
Tiny
BEN
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Well thank you for your time and patience sir.
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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In 97, ford installed a cummings motor in the f 250. You may want to look at this for mounts, etc.

Roy
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 AT 2:07 AM
Tiny
BEN
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  • 6 POSTS
Hey thanks ill look into that!
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 AT 3:08 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good luck
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
BEN
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  • 6 POSTS
I havent had any luck on the mounts so I was thinking of making my own. Although I heard I could take some out of a step van just will need a little modification. My list is adding up but I think the 21MPG will make this project well worth it.
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Sunday, December 4th, 2011 AT 3:54 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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The motor mounts are the very least of your worries. Have you figured out how you are going to make the wiring and computer system from a gas engine operate the diesel? How about all the fuel tank, pump and line differences, drive shafts, cooling system, dash controls, gauges and switches, air intake, A/C lines, P/S lines, vacuum supply for HVAC controls and brakes, etc, etc
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Sunday, December 4th, 2011 AT 1:01 PM
Tiny
BEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes there is alot to do for a project like this but thats why its called a "project" sir. My 4R70W wont hold up so im going to swap for the 4R100 that way I can reuse my current guage cluster. The 4R100 will bolt up, only difference in the two is the pin connector. It will handle the extra umph form the 4bt and I already knew I would have to swap out pcm's. And I should be able to get my dash gauges to work by taking off the coolant temperature, oil pressure and crank position sensors off the V8 and re-connecting them to the 4BT. Theres also a number of places I can buy adapters from and ive been getting alittle tech advise from the boys at fordcummins. Com here and there and have talked with a few ecu re-buldiers, just little things to make this alot easier then it sounds. Fuel tank/lines will need to be changed and ill be adding transfer case and and drive shafts to the budget, etc.I knew all this before I took this on. Bottom line is its going to take patience and keeping within my budget. But like I said above its a project. And if we looked at every challenge and ran from it there would sure be alot of unfinished master pieces.
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Monday, December 5th, 2011 AT 3:29 AM

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