Our old gashog F-250 (looks like the one above except ours is two-tone with yellow sides) is getting kinda old and weak but it's a keeper due to it's classic lines and dependability. More importantly, it's paid for. We are going to have repower it before long. Was considering going to a pumped up 460, don't think it would hurt gas mileage much....only getting 8-9mpg, empty, full, city, highway, doesn't matter.
Looked at dropping in a late model Powerstroke diesel with automatic overdrive, but with all the electronics that need attention and the high maintenance costs associated with the electronic fuel injection after a few years, that has been dismised. Lots of owners of late Powerstokes and Cummins will in for quite a shock when they see the repair/replacemant costs on these new electronic injector pumps and all the associated parts.
How about a pumped up Chevy marine 6.5 Turbo-Diesel with mechanical pump and injectors like the engine in the 89 GMC above? That would yield a good looking heavy-duty supercab, solid axle 4X4, with the proven reliability of the balanced marine diesel. Use the heavy duty Jet built GM 4L80 (Turbo 400 w/overdrive) transmission. What about the transfercase, the F-250 has a rock solid newly rebuilt NP-205, can it be made to fit a 4L80? Have to check with Advanced Adapters.
This could be a good research project once our garage/pole barn is finished. Die hard Ford purest be dammed, lets make a Hy-bred Chevy/Ford truck! |
