6.9 into a Ranchero

Dutchtreat

Dutchtreat

Senior Member
I am looking at moving to Arizona later this year and have wanted to pickup a Ranchero to use for towing and having fun with. But with the high cost of Gas I was looking at making my own Bio-Diesel ($1.75 to $2.50 a gal)and doing a 6.9 Diesel conversion. The 6.9 used a C-6 trans as did the 351M/400C/429and 460 so the trans mounts are already there.Also I'll add the Gear-Vender O/D unit to the C-6 so I end up with a 6speed with 6th as O/D. I would have to make new engine mounts and redo the fuel tank and fuel system. The 6.9 weights 200+ lbs more than a 460 but new coils or and an airbag setup should fix that problem. Replacing the 460's A/C compressor with a newer 6.9 one should save 50+lbs alone. I think I'd box the frame forward of the firewall for extra strength.
What do you Guys and Gals think? I'm look at getting a 1970 to 1978 Ranchero when I move out there to do this too:).
 
I like the idea. Make sure you start with the Ranchero that used a full frame, not the Torino version. In this country, we seem to lag far behind in fuel efficient turbo diesel power. Remember, the C 6 behind a diesel had a different case.
 
I thought about installing a 7.3 power stroke into my 80 4x4 F150 short box when I installed a 460 instead.F250 7.3/6.9 2 wheel drive motor mounts and coil springs fit the F150 I determined.
You would have to use a 72 and up Ranchero.
 
Yes I was going to use the Full frame model '72 to '78 and just remove the front clip to do the swap. If the 7.3 has the same bell-housing pattern as the 6.9 I may use it with the Diesel C-6 transmission. From what I read and from talking to my nephew who is a diesel tec the 7.3 gets much better mileage than the 6.9,but then you need the computer to run the injectors. So I don't know if the wiring harness could be used outside the donor truck without a lot of rewiring??
 
Thanks to Red I have been getting a lot of info on doing the 6.9/7.3 or even a 7.3 Power Stroke into the Ranchero or a '80's F150 Stepside(have even thought about doing a Uni-body short bed). The Ford truck site is great!!! However I always want to get as much feedback as I can so put a post on the Hamb asking if any one knew of and aftermarket company making a wiring harness for putting the 7.3 power Stroke into an older Pickup. It was deleted!!! Off topic.
I have always thought that Hot Rodding was about thinking out side the box and being different. So what's wrong about hot rodding a Pickup with a turbo diesel??
They didn't have 350 or 383 Chey crate engines in 1962 nor did they have T-5 or 700r4 transmissions. They didn't have a lot of the engines being put into the cars on the Hamb in 1962 but questions about them are OK!! So I was a little Pissed and reposted saying so. They closed that one down too. So I guess it's ok to to post Chevy engines that were never made in 1962 but not ok to ask a question about a Ford engine that wasn't built in 1962!!
Am I off base or do you think it was wrong to delete my posts??
john
 
Dutchtreat, I believe it has to do with the YEAR of the VEHICLE you are asking about on the H.A.M.B., not the engine. Their cutoff for the year is 1964 or there abouts.
Try asking about putting a Power Stoke in a 1956 effie. (Now that wold be cool).

But I think I would stick with Ford Truck Enthusiasts site.


Just my 1¢ worth...
 
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I just said Older Vehicle! As I am thinking about doing the Rancher and a Short Bed Uni-Body. The Rachero would be be a firewall forward engine and trans swap. But I'd pull the Body on the Uni-Body and build the frame up with some major Suspension reworking to get it Low. I think it's just not a SB Chev or a Flathead--it's a diesel and they don't think diesels are hot rod engines.
 
Diesels aren't hot rod engines in the traditional sense. All your projects are based on modified trucks or vehicles with diesel power and therefore much more applicable to a truck site instead of a sight like HAMB which focuses more on traditional hot rods and customs.
 
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Don't give up on what you are doing, diesel engines will become hot rod engines of the future as gasoline becomes more and more expensive. Diesels really will run on an oily rag.
Here in West Oz there is already a street rod running around with a diesel, though it is a scrub. Let's face it but, what sounds tougher than a 7.3 turbo Ford Diesel in a mid 90's Effie. They are excellent on fuel as well. The only problem with them is weight, but the late model buzz boxes are overcoming that with high revving little engines.
Regards
 
Unless you plan to move to Yuma or Phoenix and never leave town, stay away from the 6.9 unless a decent turbo setup has been added. Otherwise, anywhere above 3-4,000 feet you will have a smoky, stinky, gutless slug! Most of AZ (especially the scenic, desirable areas) is above 4,000 ft. If you don't want the computer hassle, look for a pre-Powerstroke factory turbo 7.3 (about '92-'93, I believe).
 
The whole idea sounds pretty cool and definitely a one of a kind hot rod. But before you get carried away with this project, do the math. What is the basic engine and trans going to cost, what will the ecm and wiring cost and entail, cost of the gear vendors(somewhere north of $2500) your labor(free, but lots of time), driveline, radiator, suspension mods, fuel system, etc.,etc. Then, take a look at the current but rising cost of fuel. Even if you do blend up your own and you manage to make the thing get 30 mpg, you will have to drive it forever just to break even on the overall cost
 
Yes Craig you are right in a lot of ways. But I have never built cookie cutter cars and never will! I get so mad everytime I see a SB Chevy(belly button engine) in a Ford or Dodge because its easy. But Sh-t it's just as easy to use your brain and put a Ford in a Ford and a MoPar in a Mopar!! Yes the Gear vender is $2,500+ but it's bullet proof and can be switched from car project to car project and keeps it's value. I plan on getting a complete donor truck to use and leaning toward the 7.3 Power Stroke. Getting one from Copar or straight from the Insurance company will keep that cost low. Also as I only want the engine and wiring every thing else can be resold. I may switch to a Stick setup and use the Power Stroke 5speeds but I'd have to dig up all the stick parts for the Ranchero and as big as that trans looks I'd have to redo the transmission tunnel and transmission mount too. The C-6 with the gear-vender will fit without tunnel work.
By making my own Bio-diesel I'll be able to put a lot of mileage on it that I couldn't afford to do with $5.00 +a gal gas. Also The cost of the Rachero will be far less than a new F-250 or F-350 Diesel truck would be. I have seen running 1972-1979 Racheros for $1500.00 to $3,000.00 then the rest of the cost is doing the swap.
 
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