Grizzly28

Is a swap out from my88 F150 4.9L to a 7.3L Diesel possible?

BLDTruth

It's POSSIBLE but I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a lot of time, patience, and skill. If I were going for a 7.3 I would just find a truck that had one and was built to handle it.

That being said, it it a powerstoke or an IDI?

Grizzly28

Powerstroke

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

That is being done here. Lots of time and $$$. Even with me giving him most of the parts.
That's in a 9th generation truck. Your 88 won't even support the right wiring harnesses for a powerstroke so some big money conversions have to happen there.

So I would say it's possible (anything is) but not very feasible in an 88. Not a good idea.

Eric Fullerton

An easier swap would be the 12 valve Cummins, once those have fuel, & electric to the starter, they are running. You do need to wire for the off switch. Still would be a crap load of work though, + it pretty much any diesel is a bit heavier than the F150 was meant to handle.

Grizzly28

Ahh I’m grasping at straws I have to get a new tranny in this truck is my work truck. But I need a hauler. So while at the junk yard today I found a ZF5 Tranny but it’s attached to a 7.8L or was it 7.6L? Idk that’s what the guy said so idk if it’s possible? If it’s not would I be able to do a swap with the whole truck 7.6 or what ever it is and the tranny?

BLDTruth

Probably a 7.5L 460, and no it will not bolt up to your 4.9. You need a tranny from a 4.9L 300, 5.0L 302, or 5.8L 351. The only place you will find a ZF5 that bolts up is behind the 4.9L or 5.8L in an F250 or F350.

Grizzly28

Ok. What Tranny is the M5R2? They say that is also heavier duty is it? It was on the F250?

BLDTruth

M5R2 is actually the lighter duty tranny they used in F150s behind the 300 and 302. If you want the heavy duty manual tranny you need the ZF5 S42. They are the only two options for factory 5 speed manual transmissions for 87-96.

Grizzly28

Ok. Also what I’m having confusion about is why does the ZF Tranny have to come from a 300, 302, or 351?? Why won’t other ZF tranny’s hook up to the 300? From say a 7.5, etc? Can exchange out bellhousiing or anything?