Powerstroke Prerunner

[BIG MIKE]

I have the opportunity to buy one of the two following trucks. It will be the platform for a mild pre-runner/desert cruiser build. I don’t know much about older power strokes but have heard issues certain years had. Looking to not have issues with the engine or transmission when out in the middle of no where. Truck would be deleted prior to build. Here are my options, I can get either one for $4500.00 so not to bad of a deal considering. Any input or experiences would be appreciated.

2013 King Ranch 4x4 6.7 power stroke 440,000 miles
2015 4x4 power 6.7 stroke 330,000 miles.

 

[Riverbound]

diesel pre runners are heavy and don’t work right. Everyone I know with big pre runners are running some sort of LS based power.

 

[Backlash]

If you said you were going to build a Swiss Army knife of a truck for exploring, towing, reliability, etc., then you might have a good platform to start with. But like mentioned above, it's the wrong foundation for a pre-runner build.

 

[monkeyswrench]

An iron block LS is roughly 450lbs, and real easy to build pretty stout. A 6.7 powerstroke is about 1100lbs. You may be able to skinny it up, deleting stuff, but not much more than 100-150lbs. That weight doesn't include the aftercooler or radiator assemblies, or the difference in transmission weights.
I'd go with the truck, axles and stuff are stout, but I'd go with a 6.0/4l80 to push it...
And I'm a Ford dork.

 

[SOD]

diesel pre runners are heavy and don’t work right. Everyone I know with big pre runners are running some sort of LS based power.

View attachment 1474167

Caught this at KOH today

 

[Bowtiepower00]

What is your intended usage for the truck?

A diesel with a Carli pintop kit is going to get you to stock raptor levels of speed and comfort for 15-20k in suspension and other upgrades (steering, etc). If you are wanting to run 50 down graded fire roads you will probably be happy with it, but if you are pushing beyond that you are going to start breaking stuff- frame mounts for shocks and suspension, axle housings, etc.

If you want to haul ass through the open desert it’s going to take some money and fab work to get the truck to hold up- and you’re still not going to keep up with a well built TTB truck once you start going fast. You are also going to lose the ability to tow and haul. Combined with the maintenance that comes with a higher mile diesel you are going to be wrenching on the truck quite a bit.

Also, if you are getting into situations where you are getting stuck, you might have issues with trucks weighing half as much as you getting you out.

There are some prerunner builds over on dodgetrucksextreme if you want to get an idea of what it takes to make the heavy trucks perform well off-road at higher speeds. Different platform but similar mods will be required on a powerstroke.