Cummins 4BT

[ArizonaDan]

Cummins 4BT - Anyone have any personal experience with these engines? Did a search here for Cummins and most relate to 6BT swaps. Too many peripheral issues for me to consider that swap. Looking for something a little less involved.

Looking for quick info on the following: Engine gross weight? HP potential? Torque? Compatible manual transmissions? Maintenance issues? Parts costs? Mileage numbers? Donor vehicles? Unexpected benefits? Horror stories?

Thinking about a long term frame-off project for my '68 f100 converting to diesel power for intermittent medium duty towing and hauling purposes. Mostly thinking about the cool factor.

I have browsed other websites that praise this diesel conversion but their opinions appear biased. Anyone here done it or currently doing it? Pictures are always welcome.

Gracias

[ArizonaDan]

Averagef250 is my hero for the day.

Thanks for the quick and precise info. Exactly what I was looking for.

My experiences with Cummins are on their marine application 5.9 liter generator sets. I am a marine engineer and sail onboard smaller expedition boats up to about 200'. Fun stuff and great adventures.

I am familiar with sourcing these 4BT's from bread vans and if I make the commitment to an oil burner that is where I will go.

A couple of more questions: At 800 lbs. I imagine some front end suspension upgrades will need to be done.

What would you recommend?

Disc brake conversion is already going to happen.

Can 3/4 ton suspension parts be swapped in relatively easy?

Should I swap in larger u-joints on the driveline as well?

What is a good axle ratio for this type of application?

Is 20 mpg achievable. How about occasionally running bio-diesel?

I was once based out of Portland on the Columbia/Snake River cruise boats. We embarked from the Tom McCall Seawall park on the Willamette River. Good times. Do you know a girl named........ never mind.

Thanks again

[mljjones67]

Have you looked at 4btswaps.com???

[gregamorton]

I have been very happy with my setup. It pulls great but just not real fast. Mine is probably around 150hp with mods. One thing is that my truck is heavy to start with compared to your f100. I went across the scale the other day with 25ft trailer and full of junk and it grossed right at 12500lbs. Pulled at about 55-60mph. I have found a 62 ford f100 that has a 4 cylinder ford diesel of some sort from a early ford bread van that was built in the 70s from what I got from the man. Getting that truck to start on my 68 mercury f100 this summer! One thing about the 4bt is that I could have put a 6bt in my truck for less money. Could not find any local vans with engine and ordered one shipped. Any way you will be happy with a diesel once your done with the project. good luck.

[papabug71]

This should get you in the mood. Granted it's a 6BT & it's in a Ranger, but it just goes to show you, if you can dream it, you can build it.

The 4bt's are getting popular with the Dodge 1500 4x4 guys as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gastk7- ... re=related

[averagef250]

Is 20 mpg achievable. How about occasionally running bio-diesel?

Now that's funny! If you get under 25MPG you must be running on 2 cylinders towing 15K.

Seriously there is no other engine made or ever made that will touch a VE 4BT in a fullsize truck for mileage. My last Bump DD was a 1971 F-250 4x4 air-air intercooled VE 4BT M5R2 NP205 4.10 gears 35" tires 5900 pounds, 6100 with me in it.

I averaged 25.2 MPG for 45K miles of driving it for every use over 2 years. The worst mileage I ever got was an 85 MPH bomb trip from Portland to Astoria to Albany with my 3400 pound trailer to pick up a wrecked 6500 pound 95 Dodge Cummins 4x4 tow it back through portland, down I-5 to Albany. I never went below 65, and if I did I had the pedal to the floor up the 7% grades on HWY 30. I was on the governor in 5th (3200) for most of I-5. Got 19.8 MPG for that trip, the one and only time that truck got less than 20 MPG. I hit 30 MPG on a couple of leisurely camping trips, but 25 was real-world average for a fullsize lifted 4x4 being worked hard.

These engines don't walk on water, they have thier downsides, like there being so darn many different combinations of them and so many people who are self proclaimed experts on them.

If you have questions ask away. I haven't built a 500HP 4BT, but I've installed a bunch of them at 150-250HP into trucks for happy drivers.

[gregamorton]

hey dustin have you built some trucks and sold them on ebay? I saw recently a fellow that stated that he had built several bumps and dents with 4bts that had a dent 4x4 that was for sale recently.

[ArizonaDan]

mljjones67,

Thanks for the link.

averagef250,

I'm becoming more convinced that a 4BT is the way I will go for my intended purposes with this truck. If and when I do this I will most likely be in Seattle when it happens so I may impose on your good nature and make a trip to Portland if you have an ongoing diesel swap project going on at that time, at your uninfluenced invitation, of course.

Thanks again.

[averagef250]

hey dustin have you built some trucks and sold them on ebay? I saw recently a fellow that stated that he had built several bumps and dents with 4bts that had a dent 4x4 that was for sale recently.

I've only sold one, that was my '71. Most of my swaps have been 90's F-350 4x4's.