I just scored a 1985 D-150 shortbed, 2wd, needs a front fender but has a 9.25 rear with Sure-Grip and 3.21 gears. Now 318, auto.

Options:

1992 6BT with 240K and OD auto. All stock, start tuning.

1993 6BT with 200K and 95 Turbo and +60hp injectors, need a 2wd tranny, either one. Start tweaking. This one will lay some smoke! (exhaust...)

1994 6BT with 450K miles and a fresh OD auto. All stock, could add a 100 plate for fun for starters.

4BT with TH400 from a chip truck. Start tuning.

Which one needs knocked in the head and put in the shortbed?

What year Powerstroke IC is the one to get for the 93 and older Dodges to fit easy?

Any other advice? Just brainstorming tonite......

 

I'd stay away from the 4bt. You're kinda limited there. Are you planning on a rebuild? I would go with the 94 motor because of the P pump and rebuild the engine.

 

I'll second the '94 combo in there, that would make a great drag truck.

 

Sure you can get more power out of the 94 or even the 92-93 for that matter. But you are by NO means limited on the 4bt. The VE pumped 4bt uses all the same mods as the 1st gen. not to mention the significant weight difference you'll see that would be so vital in a 1/2 ton. Plus it's kinda cool to see some more 4bt's out there. They are neat "little" engines and can make pretty good numbers. And you can also get a 4cyl p-pump version now, which means for a (quite) a few bucks you could swap a p-pump onto the engine you have if you ever wanted to. There was a bronco out there with a 4bt with a single on it making over 400 rear wheel horsepower. Check out 4btswaps.com they have a pretty dedicated following. Including one guy with a early 80's prospector 4wd with a 4bt in it. My vote is to be different and run with the 4bt.

 

I agree with cbtumedic aint nothin wrong with a 4bt
I think i'm gonna swap one into my old 60 cheby 4x4

 

just put a 3/4 ton supension in it then go with a 94 motor

 

Then it rides like a 3/4ton...

 

Sounds like a cool project! Im gathering parts to build a 1/8 mile cummins powered dragster now. Just trying to decide on with tranny to use, i have a thread over in the competition section. Your 1/2 ton dodge will make a great drag truck, just dont know the strength of that rear diff.

 

i would go with the 4 bt also, i was looking in one magazine i got recently called diesel world and they had a 4bt ranger with dual turbos and 5" exhaust and for a short bed truck id say to go with the 4 bt because of the weight also, the 6 bt would be really front heavy id think. the 4 bt would look small in the engine bay, but the looks can be intimidating, till you start it up, this ranger has a 125 shot of nitrous, head studs, aries pistons to stock crank shaft, with resized rods, with a custom ground camshaft and heavy duty valve springs, dual turbos consist of hx40 and ht3b it puts out 90 psi at full out, then to handle power he threw in a dodge 47RE built up, it did not say what it was putting out for hp but it runs 8.2 second 1/8 mile pass.

 

That guy is also on 4btswaps.com, goes by racinwayne with some numbers on the end.

If you're looking for a racer, I think the 94 engine is the way to go (thats my plan into a '79 F-150). If you're looking more for a cruiser/hot rod, the 4bt's can be plenty potent, and would be better in the weight department. A little heavier than a big block.

 

yeah, for the most part, but he said HOTROD truck. as much as i love the simplicity and easy mods to the VE engines there are $$ hurdles at around 400HP. I say the 94 with a quickie freshening up and do the head gasket/o-ring/studs right now so it won't be a limiting factor when you start going for more, which you know you will. the p-pump will support 12's (11's in this lighter truck) with no major mods.

sell the other engines to MORE than offset the rebuild costs.

I saw a SWB chevy with the 4BT and many normal & upgrade mods and it is a high 14 second truck. Impressive, yes, especially for a truck that gets 25+ MPG driving to the track.BUT? The Ranger 4BT metioned above was at the same track I saw the Chevy and the ranger is full out race truck. set the 6BT back as far as possible w/o hacking.

Use one 6BT or even the 4BT VE engine to make an awesome tow rig truck for when you get to that 'broken drivetrain part every time' torque level.
crossy

 

Just to clarify, I wasn't saying the 4bt was a bad motor by no means. I plan on putting one with a th-400 in my next rockcrawler. I'm just saying to get 400 or 500 horsepower out of a p-pumped 6bt would be much easier, cheaper, than getting the same out of a 4bt.

 

I wasn't sure if he was building a racer or just a little hot rod

If his goal is BIG POWER I'd use a P-Pumped 6bt also

 

I have always been a gasser motorhead and have seen in my short time here on DTR that diesel power seems to be much more addicting than gas power. it's the rewards you get from it in my thoughts. for every ONE HP you pick up you'll get TWO ft.lbs. of torque. the first diesel dyno meet I went to there was a guy there with a 6 month old , 2005 truck , and on it's second clutch. 589HP and 1120 Tq. - NO explanation necessary.
you really have to draw a line like i did with my 05 (mainly because of the mortage payments i'm making on it) or you'll have diesel fuel in your veins real quick.

My thoughts here is because it isn't his main ride that he'll get the itch real soon after installation. crossy

 

You guys are spending all my $$$ quickly!

Just looking for a quick and cheap playtoy. Not a full on race truck right now.

Too many projects but the shortbed could be done fast and dirty.

Have a guy with a 7.3 PS and a chip in a 4x4 that talks hard and has beat a couple of 4x4 Duramax trucks with some chips. I figure I should have 2,000 pounds on him, if I diet a little!

Would the 94 6BT and the 100 plate take him down? Do I need bigger injectors and turbo upgrade? Do I need booted to the 2nd Gen. Forum?