Posted 2008-06-10 6:27 AM (#2289) Subject: F250 engine change ???help
Posts: 5
Hi
I live in South Africa and unlike you guys we have a very limited variety of what we would call big trucks (F250's and like) I have a F250 4x4 2006 which is fitted with a 4,2L MWM motor (this is about the strongest engine available here in SA) 500 N.M and +- 140KW. I have just purchased a new Cherokee Tomahawk 4 horse slant load LQ trailer from the US (it is currently at sea and is due in SA on the 9th of July) and I know that my F250 is going to battle a bit towing it. Can anyone recomend a suitable upgrade that I can import from you guys and fit to my F250 to give it a bit more HP. Is there a bigger engine that would fit straight onto my gearbox ? (5spd manual).... any suggestions would be welcome.... I would import a whole truck from the US, but our vehicles are all RHD and we are not allowed LHD's (left hand drive)... Failing which there is a company here in SA that converts Dodge Ram250's to RHD, but they are rather expensive...and I really love my F250 - it is still in good nick and drives really well.
Posted 2008-06-12 3:33 PM (#2290 - in reply to #2289) Subject: RE: F250 engine change ???help
Location: Colorado
International's T444e 7.3 liter V-8 is the basis for Ford's pre 2003 Powerstroke diesel engine. I guess if I couldn't find a 7.3 Powerstroke, I would look for a T444E. They built that in several horsepower configurations, from 175 to 230 HP. If you did something like this, I would probably get a 6 speed manual transmission out of a Ford to go behind it.
Posted 2008-06-13 1:48 AM (#2291 - in reply to #2290) Subject: RE: F250 engine change ???help
Posts: 5
Hi Bill
thanks for that info... I have been told that the powerstroke is the way to go... I actually find it hard to believe that they initially fitted the 4,2L MWM into the F250 for our market - and then on top of it to market them as towing vehicles. Dont get me wrong, the truck pulls well with it, but it does battle with heavy loads.
Do you know of any place where I could source an engine and trans like this...? and any idea of what they might cost?
Thanks again for your words
Nick
Posted 2008-06-20 2:02 AM (#2296 - in reply to #2294) Subject: RE: F250 engine change ???help
Posts: 5
Hi Bill
Probaly used, but it is totally dependant on cost.... a new unit might be very expensive... I know here in SA you can buy pretty new (or low milage ) engines etc at reasonable prices from the breaker yards... just have to find a accident dammaged vehicle that is not very old...
Posted 2008-06-24 11:49 AM (#2297 - in reply to #2289) Subject: RE: F250 engine change ???help
Location: Colorado
I think if you import something from the US, you would want to go with either new or remanufactured from a dealer or supplier. I suspect you are looking at $9,000 to $11,000 or more for a reman engine only. Then you'll have to make sure it has everything on it you'll need, as you don't have one to take necesary parts off of. It would definitely be an extensive and expensive project!
You might be ahead to import a complete truck set up the way you want and convert it to RH drive- I don't really know what costs and complications you would have doing that.
Posted 2008-06-27 7:36 AM (#2300 - in reply to #2297) Subject: RE: F250 engine change ???help
Posts: 5
Hi Bill
I drove a new Dodge Ram 2500 Quad cap the other day... There is a company here that brings them in and converts them to RHD. It has a 5,9 L Cummins engine in it and drives really nicely. They are not priced too badly - R680 000 = about $85000 and I should get about R350 000 for my F250 so it will cost me another $40k.... its going to have to wait a while - I dont have that kind of shingle looking for a home...
Thanks for all your help anyway - I think I will stick with my F250 as it is for the moment... afterall it is a nice truck.
F250 engine change ???help
