Im building my first rig, i have a 2004 ford f-250 4x4 crew cab that was my baby until i rolled it last year. It only has 24000 miles on it and im entertaining the idea of turning it into a rear engine buggy. My way of thinking is that with the engine in the back it will create a much lower center of gravity because i will not need the cab so high to see over the engine, and maybe center the weight a little better.
the engine is a late 04 model 6.0 diesel with turbonetics TN-15180, ARP headbolts, AFE cold air, tranny is a BD performance rebuild with torque converter and billet shaft by BD performance, stock differentials, 5" exhaust.
Any information or advise would be appreciated. Thanks
Im not sure you will be able to use your stock diffs if you decide to do rear engine unless you plan to flip and re tube them although it does seem like a pretty sweet idea.
that was kinda the plan with the diffs but not sure if they will handle the job, still doin more research. the thing is i already have them so probably gonna start with them and see how they do.
Sell the diffs, buy some 2.5T rocks, and you'll still have money to spare. Having no engine in front, you should be able to design for a nice low stance without anything to stuff the front chunk/driveline into. Take a look at randy from randy's off road's rig over in the chevy forum. cool concept for a rear engine setup.
randy's chevy is pretty sweet, I like it but im looking for a little lower for the roof line if i can. as for the diffs i will keep an eye oout for some. thanks
lol, when i got it back from insurance i ran 6" wide flange through thee front and back windows and used an overhead crane to pull the roof out enough to drive it and then went playin. it was fun, no worries of scratchin it lol
not planning on keepin it looking like a truck at all, ive been looking into picking up a pre fabbed buggy chassis for the project.
Sorry about the roof line joke but you set it up for me & I couldn't help myself. Sounds like you did some dependability upgrades on the 6.0 but I would still have some serious reservations about building something as complicated as a rear engine crawler based on an engine that is tempremental at best.
I'm not a 6.0 hater I have an 04 f350 that stays hooked to my carhauler and has been very dependable, which I attribute to me working the piss out of it and being all highway miles.
I think the crawler duty would not agree with the 6.0
I gotta say it was a bad ass rig before the roll job and I'm curious what it cost you to buy it back if you don't mind me asking.
Thats the great part, the insurance campany and i argued for 3 1/2 months on a payout. they finally agreed to give me my truck back for free as part of the payout. i do want a budget build and this is what i have.
Im building my first rig, i have a 2004 ford f-250 4x4 crew cab that was my baby until i rolled it last year. It only has 24000 miles on it and im entertaining the idea of turning it into a rear engine buggy. My way of thinking is that with the engine in the back it will create a much lower center of gravity because i will not need the cab so high to see over the engine, and maybe center the weight a little better.
the engine is a late 04 model 6.0 diesel with turbonetics TN-15180, ARP headbolts, AFE cold air, tranny is a BD performance rebuild with torque converter and billet shaft by BD performance, stock differentials, 5" exhaust.
Any information or advise would be appreciated. Thanks
Sweet idea. Don't listen to them I drive and own the SuperCrawler and love it. Leroy ran a rear engine buggy Ford powered buggy at TTC last year and the monster trucks have been running them for years. The only sweet thing that Ford hasn't let change in for ever is their T case Bolt pattern. You can swap almost any Tcases that hook up to a Ford transmission. Only variances are spline counts and shaft lengths but those can be swapped out easy. I think it's a great idea but you are either going to have to run Dana 80's or Rocks to hold up to that Powerstroke. Oh and get rid of that Turbonetics turbo. Your going to be pissed off after your first time out and you can't get it to spool to even clime a rock. For crawling a VGT Turbo is a must.
Personally I would NEVER put a dizzle in a *buggy*
A high performance gas engine in a comp buggy is one thing. But that diesel will be ALOT louder than you think without all that sound insulation around it. I love my PSD F350 too... but listening to that mother fawker on a trail would drive me absolutely f'n crazy!
I don't know if you've seen that PSD Super Crawler Truggy... it's *cool* but that thing is extremely annoying to listen too... and that's just watching it.
personally i would never put a dizzle in a *buggy*
A high performance gas engine in a comp buggy is one thing. But that diesel will be alot louder than you think without all that sound insulation around it. I love my psd f350 too... But listening to that mother fawker on a trail would drive me absolutely f'n crazy!
I don't know if you've seen that psd super crawler truggy... It's *cool* but that thing is extremely annoying to listen too... And that's just watching it.
I'm w/ HOD on this one. I say DO IT man! With the 6.0 behind you and a good set of ear plugs I bet you'll be good to go. And if you haven't already deleted the EGR cooler, get rid of that MO'FO!!!!! Hoping it's already gone since you've got the head studs.
thanks for all the tips and opinions, i havent started the build yet, i am still in tear down phase and figuring out the wiring, lol lots of fun. i realize that there are easier ways to build a crawler but this is what i have to work with and i like the sound of the diesel. might have to wear hearing protection but its not about comfort or i would keep my a/c and heated seats.
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