Classic Ford F-250 Gets Inspired Caterpillar Diesel Transplant
Wait until you see what’s under the hood of this classic Ford F-250– genius mod is beautifully non-traditional.
Time and time again, diesel trucks have proven their relevance and resilience across the decades. To this day, diesel trucks remain some of the strongest, toughest, and most durable vehicles anyone can hope to own. As as example, the 2020 Ford F-250 XL 6.7L V8 Diesel can tow a stunning 12,700 lbs with a payload weight limit of 3,728 lbs. Compared to gasoline powered trucks, the capabilities of diesel is incredible.
There have numerous documented diesel swaps in gasoline trucks all the time. Though, very few of them have been with Caterpillar diesel engines, and that’s what makes this Ford so special, as said by Jesse Kleib of Speed Society.
The best part about this video by Built Diesel Mafia is the 3208 Caterpillar V8 that’s used here actually has a history with Ford. It was originally produced in 1975 in collaboration with Ford and was produced until 1990. Obviously if an engine is produced with minor changes for 15 years, it’s got to be a sturdy workhorse.
The 3208 engine was used in several types of service vehicles: Passenger buses, utility trucks, garbage trucks, construction machinery, and more. Additionally, it was even seen in marine machinery or power plants according to Evan Gillespie from It Still Runs. Gillespie also reports that several 3208 powered machines ran long after production ceased, and were well known by diesel enthusiasts as a ridiculously reliable engine.
So, the 3208 Cat engine is an excellent choice. Since so little specific information about this truck is available, we’re not sure the specific version of the 3208 fitted to the F-250. There were three versions produced–the lowest output version made 210 horsepower, next version made 375 hp, with the most powerful making up to 435 hp. For more power, Cat also offered turbochargers on some versions. Throughout production, torque ratings changed from 420 ft-lbs to 620 ft-lbs at 1,400 rpm. In marine applications, it’s said that the 375 hp version was capable of towing a 13 ton boat at 35 knots (40 miles an hour). So you can imagine how powerful that is on a Ford truck.
Whether or not is was for the sake of it being a powerful engine or standing as a testament to the expired but great relationship Ford once had with Caterpillar, it’s a sexy truck. At the end of the video, we even get to hear what it sounds like…heaven.