My dad has a 1987 Ford F250 4x4 diesel that he no longer uses since he now has three 7.3 powerstroke diesel superduty pickups
Long story short I'm buying the '87 from him on the cheap. It has around 130k on the odometer with the original 6.9 idi engine, C6 trans and whatever the stock transfer case is. The cab is shot so I'm swapping on a nice rust-free 1997 cab and front clip that he picked up a year or so ago.
This brings me to a crossroads of sorts. If I keep the 6.9 I need to swap wiring harnesses and dashes between the cabs. I know the 6.9 IDI is a simple and bulletproof motor and the simplicity and robustness is appealing to me. However I have two other options at my disposal.
First, leave in the 6.9 IDI but install a banks turbo kit my father has to wake it up a bit. The upside is I can keep most of the simplicity of the 6.9, the downside is still needing to swap wiring harnesses and dashes.
Second, remove the 6.9 IDI, C6 et al and install the 1997 powerstroke 7.3 (he bought it with the cab and it has the entire harness) along with a 6-speed manual trans from a 2000 super duty along with the transfer case.
I'm still researching compatibility and other items needed for the swap. My question on this option is two-fold.
1. has anyone seen this swap done with an older powerstroke 7.3 coupled to a 6-speed manual?
2. Is it worth the added complication or am I better off with the 6.9 IDI as is or with the banks kit installed?
The truck will get a lot of highway and backroad use with a little moderate wheeling thrown in here and there. It may get more offroad use down the road, but not until I replace the TTB with a Dana 60 solid front axle from a F350. I'm sure the mileage with the powerstroke and 6-speed manual would be much better than the 6.9 IDI/C6 combo, but this won't be a daily driver so that is a secondary concern.
Any input from those who have more experience with these would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Long story short I'm buying the '87 from him on the cheap. It has around 130k on the odometer with the original 6.9 idi engine, C6 trans and whatever the stock transfer case is. The cab is shot so I'm swapping on a nice rust-free 1997 cab and front clip that he picked up a year or so ago.
This brings me to a crossroads of sorts. If I keep the 6.9 I need to swap wiring harnesses and dashes between the cabs. I know the 6.9 IDI is a simple and bulletproof motor and the simplicity and robustness is appealing to me. However I have two other options at my disposal.
First, leave in the 6.9 IDI but install a banks turbo kit my father has to wake it up a bit. The upside is I can keep most of the simplicity of the 6.9, the downside is still needing to swap wiring harnesses and dashes.
Second, remove the 6.9 IDI, C6 et al and install the 1997 powerstroke 7.3 (he bought it with the cab and it has the entire harness) along with a 6-speed manual trans from a 2000 super duty along with the transfer case.
I'm still researching compatibility and other items needed for the swap. My question on this option is two-fold.
1. has anyone seen this swap done with an older powerstroke 7.3 coupled to a 6-speed manual?
2. Is it worth the added complication or am I better off with the 6.9 IDI as is or with the banks kit installed?
The truck will get a lot of highway and backroad use with a little moderate wheeling thrown in here and there. It may get more offroad use down the road, but not until I replace the TTB with a Dana 60 solid front axle from a F350. I'm sure the mileage with the powerstroke and 6-speed manual would be much better than the 6.9 IDI/C6 combo, but this won't be a daily driver so that is a secondary concern.
Any input from those who have more experience with these would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!