Deutz Diesel Engine Mated To F-150 Pickup

2012 - Volume #36, Issue #1, Page #39

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“I got the idea for doing this after reading an article about Shade Tree Conversions in FARM SHOW a couple years ago,” Truman Miller says. “The story said they had plans that could help a truck get up to 40 mpg, so I decided to buy their manual and give it a try.”
    After reading the Shade Tree manual (www.shadetreeconversions.com), Miller found a used 1997 Ford F-150 with 340,000 miles on the odometer. He bought it for $1,800 because the body and frame were in good shape and the cab was large enough to hold his family of four kids.
    Miller decided to repower the Ford with a Deutz Diesel because “they have a history of running well with very good fuel efficiency.” He found a 1997 5-cyl. Deutz on Craigslist, paying $1,500 for the engine, clutch and bell housing. Miller also found a NV4500 transmission from a 1999 Dodge truck for $900.
    “My Ford engine compartment didn’t have as much room as the Chevy, so I had to cut out part of the grill, remove the radiator and block up the cab about 1 5/8 in. so the Deutz housing would slide into place,” Miller says. “I also modified the engine mounts and I had to cut out part of a cross member on the frame and replace it with a different one so the oil pan would clear.”
    A machine shop built a 3/4-in. adapter plate to mate the bell housing on the Deutz to the Dodge tranny. Since the Deutz is air rather than liquid-cooled, he had to cover half the air intake so the engine would run warmer.
    Miller adapted the exhaust with a 3-in. flexible pipe and used existing lines for the tachometer, the heater and AC connections. He rigged a new mount for the power steering pump and the alternator and bought a new V belt to run it because the Ford had a serpentine belt. The Deutz already had a vacuum pump that worked fine.
    Miller’s repowered F-150 has a 5-speed transmission with a 3:08 rear end. That gives it enough power to easily pull a 5,000-lb. trailer. Top speed is in the 80 mph range.
    “I’ve got about $3,700 into the engine and parts, and the rest is all labor,” Miller says. “That’s quite a bit less than trading for a different truck, and I think this engine will probably run for a couple hundred thousand miles.”
    Although he hasn’t exactly documented mileage yet on the new setup, Miller says it’s about double the 16 mpg that the truck got originally. Miller says the manual from Shade Tree was very helpful and he recommends their book to others who aren’t afraid to tackle a project like this. Miller has several photos of the project on his Facebook page.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Truman Miller, Rte. 1, Box 1419D, Wheatland, Mo. 65779 (ph 417 309-1305; Trumanmiller77@gmail.com).

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Deutz Diesel Engine Mated To F-150 Pickup ENGINES “I got the idea for doing this after reading an article about Shade Tree Conversions in FARM SHOW a couple years ago ” Truman Miller says “The story said they had plans that could help a truck get up to 40 mpg so I decided to buy their manual and give it a try ” After reading the Shade Tree manual www shadetreeconversions com Miller found a used 1997 Ford F-150 with 340 000 miles on the odometer He bought it for $18 00 because the body and frame were in good shape and the cab was large enough to hold his family of four kids Miller decided to repower the Ford with a Deutz Diesel because “they have a history of running well with very good fuel efficiency ” He found a 1997 5-cyl Deutz on Craigslist paying $1 500 for the engine clutch and bell housing Miller also found a NV4500 transmission from a 1999 Dodge truck for $900 “My Ford engine compartment didn’t have as much room as the Chevy so I had to cut out part of the grill remove the radiator and block up the cab about 1 5/8 in so the Deutz housing would slide into place ” Miller says “I also modified the engine mounts and I had to cut out part of a cross member on the frame and replace it with a different one so the oil pan would clear ” A machine shop built a 3/4-in adapter plate to mate the bell housing on the Deutz to the Dodge tranny Since the Deutz is air rather than liquid-cooled he had to cover half the air intake so the engine would run warmer Miller adapted the exhaust with a 3-in flexible pipe and used existing lines for the tachometer the heater and AC connections He rigged a new mount for the power steering pump and the alternator and bought a new V belt to run it because the Ford had a serpentine belt The Deutz already had a vacuum pump that worked fine Miller’s repowered F-150 has a 5-speed transmission with a 3:08 rear end That gives it enough power to easily pull a 5 000-lb trailer Top speed is in the 80 mph range “I’ve got about $3 700 into the engine and parts and the rest is all labor ” Miller says “That’s quite a bit less than trading for a different truck and I think this engine will probably run for a couple hundred thousand miles ” Although he hasn’t exactly documented mileage yet on the new setup Miller says it’s about double the 16 mpg that the truck got originally Miller says the manual from Shade Tree was very helpful and he recommends their book to others who aren’t afraid to tackle a project like this Miller has several photos of the project on his Facebook page Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Truman Miller Rte 1 Box 1419D Wheatland Mo 65779 ph 417 309-1305; Trumanmiller77@gmail com

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