86 2WD F150 6.9IDI Conversations

Chris Wowowski · Jul 21, 2019

I want to get some feed back. I've got a line on a nice Texas 86 F150 that the PO has done a "rebuilt"6.9 IDI/ "rebuilt"ZF conversion. This truck for me will be a DD only 3-4 months a year, and probably less than 4K miles in that time. Otherwise it will be parked as I live out of country for 8-9 months. How do you feel about the spindle and bearings living under the added weight? The truck was originally a 302 truck. The PO has upgraded to 3/4 ton springs F/R, but still has the 8.8. I will not be towing, so the 8.8 is not much of a current worry. I could always swap it in the future with a 10.25 or D60. The front worries me the most.

Let me know you thoughts.

TYI,
Chris

IDIBRONCO · Jul 21, 2019

I'm pretty sure that several people have done IDI swaps into Broncos and other half tons while leaving the original running gear underneath. They don't seem to have bearing issues. Me? I was thinking along the same lines as you so I used the 3/4 ton parts from the donor truck.

snicklas · Jul 21, 2019

Don't forget, you could also option an F-150 with a 460. I think the only thing Ford did was put a "heavier" spring on the front to keep the truck level. There's not a whole lot of weight difference between a 460 and an IDI.

Chris Wowowski · Jul 21, 2019

Guy says he DD the truck with 12K since the conversation with no issues. IDK.........I almost feel like it could be come a can of worms. Not just suspension. Granted the rest is pretty straight forward. Fuel system should not be an issue and so on. Brakes maybe under sized with the extra load........

68f2506.9 · Jul 22, 2019

I honestly would not worry about the extra weight. Same as having a heavy passenger in the front seat. Figure a 302 weighed 550lbs and the 6.9 is 750 or 800. Take it for a drive and make sure the wiring isn't a hack job with wire nuts or anything like that hooking it all together. If it looks factory and he swapped the whole harness from a 6.9 and swapped it in I would have no problem with it.I think that would be a great combo for decent mileage, probably over 20 mpg in an f150 with 3.08 gears and less weight than an f250.

Chris Wowowski · Jul 22, 2019

68f2506.9 said:
I honestly would not worry about the extra weight. Same as having a heavy passenger in the front seat. Figure a 302 weighed 550lbs and the 6.9 is 750 or 800. Take it for a drive and make sure the wiring isn't a hack job with wire nuts or anything like that hooking it all together. If it looks factory and he swapped the whole harness from a 6.9 and swapped it in I would have no problem with it.I think that would be a great combo for decent mileage, probably over 20 mpg in an f150 with 3.08 gears and less weight than an f250.

He says the 6.9 came from an 85.

As for electrical how different can the harness be? The 6.9 only need battery to the fuel solenoid, and starter?
We were messaging back and forth a while last night, and he seems on top of his stuff.
He also sent a pic of the VIN. 2,650 GAWR for the front. I wonder what a 460 truck came with, and if the spindle/ bearing set up is different?

Thank you for all the input.

68f2506.9 · Jul 22, 2019

Only big electronic thing is the glow plug system, which he may have just run a pushbutton for it. From my experience all the f150's use the same spindles and hubs no matter the motor unless you go back to th bumpside which had standard drum brakes and optional disks. Had several 390 with drums.

Chris Wowowski · Jul 22, 2019

68f2506.9 said:
Only big electronic thing is the glow plug system, which he may have just run a pushbutton for it. From my experience all the f150's use the same spindles and hubs no matter the motor unless you go back to th bumpside which had standard drum brakes and optional disks. Had several 390 with drums.

Ok. Yes he has installed a secondary panel for the glow plugs, and switch for the fuel solenoid.

Thanks for all the info so far.

Thewespaul · Jul 22, 2019

If you want to really simplify the glow plug system, and never have to worry about diagnosing lights or controllers, I sell a standalone wiring kit that works great for diesel swapped projects or to replace the factory wiring in our own trucks with a bullet proof manual control conversion kit, with a white rodger's industrial relay, and all new heat proof wiring for the install.

You must be registered for see images attach

franklin2 · Jul 22, 2019

snicklas said:
Don't forget, you could also option an F-150 with a 460. I think the only thing Ford did was put a "heavier" spring on the front to keep the truck level. There's not a whole lot of weight difference between a 460 and an IDI.

I am always ready to learn something new. I need proof to back this claim up. Let me get this straight; You are saying you could order a f150 with a 460 engine from the factory?

IDIBRONCO · Jul 22, 2019

franklin2 said:
I am always ready to learn something new. I need proof to back this claim up. Let me get this straight; You are saying you could order a f150 with a 460 engine from the factory?

I know that you could with Dent Sides. I'm not sure about after that.

Chris Wowowski · Jul 23, 2019

franklin2 said:
I am always ready to learn something new. I need proof to back this claim up. Let me get this straight; You are saying you could order a f150 with a 460 engine from the factory?

From what I can see early. 78 I think?

franklin2 · Jul 23, 2019

Ok, maybe the early trucks, I am not sure about them. But not after 1980 correct? Could not get a 460 at all till 1983 correct?

IDIBRONCO · Jul 23, 2019

Chris Wowowski said:
From what I can see early. 78 I think?

I had a 1975 that had a 1971 429 in it when I bought it. Now that thing would RUN! It's the one and only reason that I HAD to buy it. The way it fit in there, I believe it must have originally had a 460 in it. I knew another guy who had a F150 extended cab with a 460 in it. It's been almost 30 years, but it seems like it was a 1976.

lsaami · Jul 23, 2019

another thing to realize, the OBS f150s and f250/350s share the same body, so in reality the only difference is the frame and suspension. It's still a truck, so as long as you aren't going to be pushing it to the max you should be fine.

86 2WD F150 6.9IDI Conversations

Chris Wowowski

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