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Project 81 F250

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jdmfool209

Project 81 F250

Figured I would take Gary's advice and start my own thread on my 81 ford f250 that i recently picked up. For those who don't know it has a Isuzu 6bd1 that was put in by the previous owner. There a few things that need to be done but i almost have it road worthy since it has been on no-op since 2008! I went to the local pick n pull on Saturday when they had there 40 percent off deal going on. I was able to get the dual battery trays, washer fluid tank, coolant tank, 6.9 radiator core support, diesel cluster, and a dash pad that was in near perfect condition with no cracks! all for under 100 american dollars! haha I have a few other things that I need to get for it but for now I'm happy. I tested fitted that battery tray since i wanted to make sure that it would fit well, everything well be taken out and cleaned up and painted.

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

NotEnoughTrucks

Re: Project 81 F250

Impressive!

Isuzu is an odd choice for repowering, but I like it. Looking forward to see more.

Gary Lewis

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

In reply to this post by jdmfool209

That's a screaming deal for less than $100.

But I'm not sure that diesel tach will read correctly on the Isuzu. Jonathan/FordF834 can tell us what the input is for it, but it may not be an industry norm.

Anyway, I too am looking forward to more on this truck.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

In reply to this post by NotEnoughTrucks

@notenoughtrucks it really is! He did the swap in the mid/late 80s and ran it till 2008 then parked it. Going to slap a turbo on it and see what happens lol

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

@Gary, I got lucky. The truck had just got there and I had first picks at it. Might go back for The door panels but they are the newer ones where the the well I’m not sure what they are called but the door lock thingy is by the window. Haha everything was from an 86 I’m not sure if we’ll work either but I mainly wanted it for the diesel fuel only lettering. The cluster that I have right now has a tach also from when it had the 351 but it’s not hooked up either. But hopefully I’ll be able to figure out a way to make it work.

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

Gary Lewis

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

If you go back and get the later door panels you should also get the lock mechanism and linkage. The linkage, meaning the rod going up to the knob, is obvious. But the lock mechanism isn't and obvious need. However, with the early mechanism and the lock rod to the knob you'll find that up is Locked and down is Unlocked.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

Thank you for the info! I will be going tomorrow after i get off work to get the door panels and i'll get the other stuff as well. I hid them so hopefully nobody finds them lol I'm also debating on using a dana 60 from my 2000 f2350 or using an 05 dana 60 not sure if i want to put that much work into it at the moment.

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

Gary Lewis

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

Let us know how it goes.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Diesel tachs are tricky because there is no standard way to generate the signal. Many aftermarket units measure alternator rotations and correct for the ratio to crankshaft rotations. The 6.9/7.3 uses a sensor to read the injection pump gear teeth. 106 teeth on the gear, so 53 pulses per crankshaft rotation. It is a magnetic pickup similar to an ABS wheel rotation sensor. Medium duty diesel trucks had a similar arrangement for counting flywheel teeth.

To add a tach, you basically have 3 options...

Buy an aftermarket diesel tach and follow their installation instructions.

Run a gas engine tach, and mount a pick-up sensor to read 4 magnets that you glue on to the vibration damper. This will allow you to use a stock gauge.

Run a 6.9 tach with a pick up sensor that will read a ferrous star wheel of your creation that mounts to the crank pulley (or accessory) and generates 53 pulses per crankshaft revolution.

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

Thank you for that info Ford F834! I currently have the original cluster that came with that has the tach and just picked a 6.9 cluster with a tach also. I'll do a little more research on them and see what way I want to go with it.

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

I went back to pick n pull and got the door panels along with the some of the lock linkages but forgot the locking mechanism and another things on the seat. Hopefully nobody goes and takes them lol Not in the best shape but a little bit of sem paint well get them all cleaned up. I also got the inside of the glove box which is some sort of plastic compared to mine which is cardboard looking like crap so this should last a long longer! Then the last thing i got was the ac/heat controls. the face on mine has seen better days and this one was in way better shape but whoever tried to take it out messed up where the vacum hoses go, so hopefully I can just swap them with mine.

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

Gary Lewis

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

The HVAC control won't be easy to swap, assuming that's an '85 or '86. I don't remember all of the differences, but I think you'll have to go back and get the vacuum lines that connect to it. My memory says the '85/86 ones have a different connector to the HVAC controls and won't work. But if you get the vacuum lines and the associated connector then you can swap it into your truck.

Also, there's something about the switch that's different, if I remember correctly. Maybe Jonathan/Ford F834 will remember?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

LARIAT 85

Re: Project 81 F250

The VENT function is in a different location on the 1980/1981 HVAC panel. It is the first function, right after OFF.

Lucille: 1985 Ford F150 XLT Lariat

*Colors: Dark Canyon Red exterior, Canyon Red interior
*Engine: 5.0, CompCams 31-230-3, "Thumper" E7 heads, Edelbrock Performer intake, Autolite 4100 carburetor, DuraSpark II ignition, Thorley Tri-Y headers, Flowmaster dual exhaust, H-pipe.
*Drivetrain: AOD transmission, 3.55 gears, 2wd.

Ford F834

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

The vacuum switch from 1980-82 was one type, the 1983-86 was a different type. When switching HVAC controllers, you need the vacuum tube harness that goes with the controller. The electrical connector also changed from a square plug to a flat plug. If you get the plug for the controller, you can re-pin it with no cutting or splicing. I have pictures in my thread (I put a late HVAC controller in my ‘81).

http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/1981-straight-six-manual-4x4-project-td1312i60.html

The last thing you are going to need is the correct cable for the blend door. There are 3. The 1980-82 controllers used one type of cable 1983 controllers used a unique one, and 1984-86 used a third type with a dog leg in the end of the cable. You need to know the year of the HVAC controller and get the right cable to go with it.

Gary Lewis

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

Thanks, Jonathan. I knew there were several differences, but had forgotten the cable one. And the year when the changes happened. Well done.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

broboyle

Re: Project 81 F250

In reply to this post by jdmfool209

jdmfool209 not sure if you're going to have an extra set of the lock / window chrome bezels, but if you do I would be interested in buying them from you!

-- Charlotte, NC --
1984 F250 6.9 IDI
1980 Bronco 302

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Thanks everyone for the info on the Hvac switches, I ended up just swaping out the faceplate since mine was all broken and sun faded

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

In reply to this post by broboyle

I will have an extra set of the lock/window bezels once i get to that part I will let you know!

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd

Gary Lewis

Re: Project 81 F250

Administrator

In reply to this post by jdmfool209

How hard was that to do? I'd never considered doing that.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

jdmfool209

Re: Project 81 F250

In reply to this post by jdmfool209

I haven't messed with it to much since I have been messing around with my 2000 f350 and getting injectors replaced.

1981 Ford F250 XLT Ranger
Isuzu 6BD1(orginally 351) C6
2wd