Iv just aquired a 1974 Ford f100 longbed and Im going to spend alot of *** restoring it.I would like to install a Powerstroke engine,it has a 390 at the moment.I also want to make 4x4.Question is who do I talk to about doing this to see if it can be done.I was thinking I could find a truck that had been totaled out by insurance co.and buy it for engine and transmition,running gear etc...Just need some help in the right direction would be gratful for good intel.Thanks Mitch  

HI MITCH, WELCOME TO DIESEL POWER!!!! OK LETS START WITH THE F100 CAN'T HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF A POWERSTROKE ENGINE & TRANNY, ALSO THAT 1974 DOESN'T HAVE THE ELECTRONICS THE NEWER ENGINE & TRANNY NEEDS, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A TRANSFER-CASE WITH FRONT DIFFS, TO MATCH THE SAME GEAR RATIO IN THE REAR, YOUR GOING TO NEED DIFFERENT DRIVE SHAFT NOW THAT YOU NEED A TRANSFER-CASE. MITCH PLEASE, IT WOULD BE CHEAPER & EASIER JUST TO BUY A DIESEL TRUCK, LEAVE THAT 1974 F100 WITH THE FACTORY ENGINE, I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT ME TO TELL YOU THIS, BUT IT WILL SAVE YOU ALOT OF MONEY!!!!  

but if you had a lot and i mean a lot of $$$$$$ you wanted to spend and you are a very good mechanic/fabricator and had some good friends willing to help that would be one F'in awesome truck. but gunman is right you would needa complete 3/4 ton or better suspension/drivetrain/not to mention getting all the electrical crap figured out and that would be the begining of the battle.  

by the way not trying to talk you out of your dream here i think if you can get this accomplished youd definitly have bragging rights with a truck like that!!!!  

if i was a ford guy. i would look for a 76-77 high boy 3/4 4x4 and dump a 7.3 better yet a cummins in it that would be sweet. sorry it got me day dreamin  

As a ford guy I hate saying this but you would have an eaiser time puting a 12v cummins in there.  Wouldnt have all the electrical problems to deal with.

As a diesel guy I have to say any diesel in that old truck would be sweet.

Good luck to ya.  

Question. Were the older (non turbo charged) 7.3L IDI electronically controlled? If not, I could see sliding one of those in the '74, throwing in a set of 3/4 ton springs, then adding a turbo and intercooler to it. I don't think that would be a bad swap. And unless you have a true NEED for 4x4, the project would be much easier and less expensive to just leave it a 2wd and add a locker. Better fuel mileage also.

I know what it takes to do a 4x4 conversion as I'm presently in the process of throwing full-width axles under a 2wd 1982 S-10. Getting the steering and suspension to work is more than a bit of a challenge, especially since I'm doing everything here in my garage.  

I was just thinking about your plans. Have you compared the wheel base of say a 96 or 97 F-250 4X4 SWB Extended Cab equiped with an older Power Stroke. I would think that you would be fairly close to the F-100 long bed. Maybe easier to fit the 100 body to the 3/4 ton frame and running gear. You would have everything you need if the wheel base worked. Just a thought.  

I was just thinking about your plans. Have you compared the wheel base of say a 96 or 97 F-250 4X4 Short Bed Extended Cab equiped with an older Power Stroke. I would think that you would be fairly close to the F-100 long bed. Maybe easier to fit the 100 body to the 3/4 ton frame and running gear. You would have everything you need if the wheel base worked. Just a thought.