Bronco 351 to Powerstroke Conversion

[firelt90bronco]

steering wheel?

 

[manny1983]

so whats the word, did this project get done or is it yet to take off? im interested in swapping out my 5.8 for a diesel and would like some info on your build.

 

[dhpt99]

Here are some pictures i seen of a bronco with a 7.3 power stroke on ebay for sale. hey put f 250 gauges in it.

 

[black beauty]

to be more accurate the 7.3 is 444 cubic inches. these motors weigh nearly twice as much as a 460 would. they tip the scales at over 1000lbs. while a 460 is only around 550 lbs. unless anyone attemting this project is skilled in fab work then its not for you. the weight of the stroke would be so heavy it would weigh down the front end and raise the rear end off the ground nearly. to do this you would need to fab custom motor mounts and heavier suspension for the front like leaf springs. really its alot of work and not worth it when you can drop in a 460 with a good set of heads and make around 600+ horse. but unless your planning on spending a butt load of $$$ to do this plus find a stroke and the computer to run it then dont even attempt this by yourself

 

[Yardape]

My next Bronco project after this 460 swap will hopefully be a Cummins install. I want to build a comfortable driver that I can haul my '89 around with. In my opinion the Cummins would be the ideal diesel swap.

 

[kevinb]

In a recent diesel power mag there was a bronco with a 7.3 powerstroke from a 2002 F250.

 

[manny1983]

what magazine was that in?

 

[BLADE262US]

You dont have to fab anything to do this conversion especially if you have a 91 or older . The F250 is the same fram as a bronco in the front there is nothing magical about it and a 96 or older powerstroke would give you all the pieces you need to do this swap successfully . I have looked over a 96 F250 for just this reason as I want to do this conversion as well it is very doable just have to find the donor truck reasonably priced /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[manny1983]

i got a 92 am i S.O.L.?

 

[BLADE262US]

Not at all look how justshootme put the axle in the front of his this is the way to do it . The wrinkpe zone just needs to be reinforced . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[manny1983]

so what year or year range f250 would we be limited to when searching for a donor truck

 

[BLADE262US]

I think 94 was the first yr of the powerstroke so an 94 to 96 would be ideal it would have everything to transfer to the bronco including the dash and wiring. Frame wise a 1980 to 1991 bronco would be the best 92 to 96 would require some fab work for the leaf springs to be mounted but justshootme has a trick for that . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[manny1983]

good deal, thanks i appreciate the info.

 

[BB33's]

After the end of the 6.9 diesel ford went to the 7.3(444 cubic inch) Diesel. They run forever and get about 24 miles a gallon in non-turbo(first generation) Form. The Powerstroke Diesel is a 7.3 with a turbo and was offered in '94-'98 trucks and was then given some minor revisions and a new turbo where it was then offered in Ford's new Superduty pickup from '99-'03. After this the "Powerstroke Diesel" was downsized to just 6.0 (363 cubic inches) for smog reasons and they were actually able to make a more powerful diesel.

If attempting this swap it is best to get The Engine, Trans, and Transfercase from the same truck. Along with all applicable wiring harnesses and computers. You will also need a diesel radiator and trans cooler.

Suspension can be left stock with a new set of stiffer coils. However it would be a shame not to put a leaf sprung solid axle for durability. I would also swap the rearend on the '87-'96 Broncos that have the 8.8 rear. It is plenty in stock form but in a torque building diesel pinions and axles are gonna have a very short life ahead. For the best in terms of cost and durability I say swap in a 9 inch Ford axle from one of the '80-'86 Broncos. They came factory with the Big Bearing 31 Spline version wich was fords strongest 9 inch version built. The spring pads and shock mounts are the same and all you need is a 30 dollar VSS adapter.

Also you will need a Diesel guage cluster so that it looks Factory. :blink:

 

[manny1983]

now i know this next question is stupid but if/when i do this swap how should i got about to lift the truck, i mean if im gonna have to put a leaf sprung solid axle on it would i have to custom fab a suspension lift? this is my first truck and im still wet behind the ears when it comes to trucks, sorry guys

 

[4x4mexicano]

What about swapping in an International diesel, would that be harder?

 

[Bronk351]

I think that a good ol 5 speed out of a 250 with a diesel would be awesome.

What are you doing with the axles and driveshafts? Ive been thinking about getting a 88-91 or a newer stlye bronco and doing this to it. They had a couple of diesel broncos in the Diesel Power mag so i hear. 6.0 and7.3 to boot.

 

[black beauty]

their have been a blue million threads started about doing this conversion from a gasser to a diesel. search thru some of the old threads to find some really good info. ill go ahead and tell you your biggest obstacle, a powerstroke weighs a little over 1000lbs and you 351 weighs only about 450-500. these coil sprung suspensions that we have will NOT support double the weight without modification. preferably doing away with the coil set up, getting rid of the ttb dana 44 and going with leaf springs in the front donated from a 250 or f-350 and fabbing a cross member across the frame horns to hold it all together. and thats just the start

 

[shift1313]

there is a guy ive been talking to on another forum(im restoring an f100) that put a gm 3.9l(?) turbo diesel in his f100 but he use a crown vic front end. just random info is all.

I cant help but wonder with all this work wouldnt it just be easier to mod a truck frame and swap bodies?

ill stick with my L6, plenty o torque, great gas mileage, can tow a car without knowing its behind me, more than good enough for me and durable as they come.

What years 250 had solid front axles? I see some mentions of grabbing a 250 motor/drive train and front axle but i thought the 250s were dana 50ttb leaf sprung fronts. At least after the early 80s.

 

[Yardape]

I got my D60 from an 89 F350