4BT Cummins Pros and Cons... A MUST WATCH IF YOU'RE THINKING OF SWAPPING A 4BT

What is a 4BT Cummins really like to live with? Watch this video if you want to swap a diesel into a truck. Take it from a guy who knows.
IG: / rustyjunkexhibition

[@classiclarry88]

If Rudolph Diesel's plan came to fruition, the vast majority of old trucks would have come with mechanical diesels like this and we'd all be better off for it.

[@fastinradfordable]

Word🎉

[@elisalazar3097]

Government regulations 😂😂 government knows what’s best 😂

[@wizard_of_poz4413]

​@@elisalazar3097 nah it's Americans being dumb af. Because there will always be some soft headed pig who will say that a gas hog is better than a diesel because that's all their brain can handle

[@godblessthisnation8386]

12 valve for life !!

[@jkoonce4244]

No, his plan was for the engine to run off of different oils made from plants from which are grown all over the world do some research 🧐

[@CavanalK5]

I’m a GM fan, but hats off to this rig! One of my favorite era of Ford truck. And simple, utilitarian, timelessness.

[@HSGAutomotive]

Considering putting one in my ‘68 Lincoln 🤔 thinking 6BT at first but the length is a killer and I don’t want to be chopping the chassis around, the appeal of a mechanical all torque motor for cruising with about 4 times the mpg is great, especially when it’s already got a patina’d Fallout look

[@Ryan-xq1vb]

Forever one of my favorite 4bt trucks, simple and good looking

[@danstennis1817]

You mean super good looking!

[@MrStarfockerx]

Thanks so much! I'm doing a 4bt swap rigth now and when I saw your project I really got all motivation that I need

[@hawkie333]

Awesome! The 4bt’s are significantly more expensive than the 6bt, if space isn’t a concern it often makes more sense to go with the 6. Either way, IMO they are the crown jewel of diesel engines. I have a swapped vehicle and I think I would pull the engine for another swap before I’d ever think about selling it.

[@Terk131]

They may be considered the crown jewel here in the states but it can be argued in the diesel community that other diesels are far superior. It comes down to what one plans on doing with the engine.

[@wizard_of_poz4413]

idk I'll stick to my 2018 cummins

[@oddlyrightoddlyright2475]

Theirs better options the 4bt is just more common….om606 would be a crown jewel….Cummins are cheap and throw away engines in the commercial world not having wet sleeves make overhauling them to expensive to justify if they have worn cylinders

[@wizard_of_poz4413]

@@oddlyrightoddlyright2475 that and they're designed to be a little lighter so they can be put in trucks and equipment and not be ridiculously heavy. But I agree they're pretty much bottom dollar industrial engines and they didn't hold up in farm equipment

[@064fiddyx]

The 4BD1 Isuzu is far superior to the 4bt Cummins in design and construction. It is simply better built and comes factory with a rack pump

[@mikebates4815]

Great truck. A test drive in the video would have been the cherry on top.

[@perrymahnke886]

Really nice truck & video, thank you for sharing. I've always wanted to do a diesel swap in one of my old trucks, now I know I want to do it.

[@oby-1607]

Brother, you have made one honest truck and video. People like you make this world work.

[@brandonb2032]

Damn that’s super clean, and done right imo. I like how it’s basic and not over done. Great video, very informative.

[@adamcoronado5447]

I have a 1974 F100 and want to do a 4bt swap in it. THANK YOU for all the information you provide in your video. it is really helpful!

[@michaeladams3429]

Thanks for all of the info and being straight forward about it. That’s a great looking truck.

[@donpetrey8007]

Very well put together vid I own 2 6bta Dodge diesels. Nice to see the old truck with the best diesel out there installed.

[@mapquestHs]

Thank you for this video! Very good info! I’m considering the 4BT swap on my highboy. Main reasons are the fuel economy and it seems to fit much better. I don’t want to modify my firewall to get the 6 to fit.

[@tonymunn]

The best full disclosure 4BT video I've seen. Thank you.

[@RustyJunkExhibition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lhaskins123]

I have a 3-5 year plan for my bronco which at one point was a coyote swap. However, I have always wanted a diesel bronco so its still on the table. Thanks for the info, great video.

[@odelldickey1170]

That’s a great truck and you’ve done a great job building it . Thanks for the videos.

[@doughunter3967]

i completely agree...i am doing a p pump24 valve with a zf 6 speed on a dually ford frame with a 79 chev crew cab and an 89 grill...you did a good thing here, very nice...Yah bless...doug

[@user-ey7ix2hb7i]

Great summary! This was very helpful as I plan my 4BT swap into a 1992 Dodge B250 4x4 Ram Van

[@tomlucasrccrawlers9108]

Crazy cool. That 4BT is still making really good power. Probably way more than my 67 F100 4x4 with a 428. I bought my 67 specifically to put a 4BT in it....but retired from state service before it could get it done.

[@redmanaaron97]

Honestly that's a really good idea for an old truck like this. I have a stock '76 F250 with the 360 and T18, it handles 80 no problem (unless the wind noise bothers you). I also just remembered that I'm running regular tires lol. That's really cool and I hope it holds up well for you

[@waynedub1167]

Thanks this is the video I've been waiting for. Awesome!!

[@richo2895]

Good presentation. And explained very well. I've done. The 4BT and 6BT and Mercedes 5cyl turbo diesel swaps. Super Nice F2500 swap. Way to go man.

[@benr9172]

This is definitely pushing me more towards my idea of a 6BT into a K5 Blazer. Great MPG, an engine I know well, and more torque.

[@josecortez5213]

Sounds like a great project. K5s are a solid platform for a serious off roader.

[@BillyLintzenich-wf7sk]

But isnt the 6bt too heavy to put in a blazer?

[@craze4legos]

Thanks for doing this video. I’m looking at putting a 4bt in my 82 bronco, I want that fuel economy! Right now I’m getting 7-10 mpg with my stock 351.

[@ryanshaw6449]

Did the same with a 68 f100 everything you said is spot on. If I wasn’t working on the road right now I’d drive mine everyday over my 3500 cummins. zf5 speed 3.55 gears and 35 inch tires is perfect combo. Can get 30 mpg driving 60 mph on flat ground 24-26 is the normal hiway.

[@JREACHER1954]

6.5 guy but here I am. Nice build and look forward to future content. 👍

[@dozer1642]

You did a good job with the body swap. Usually I can spot a body swap, but I didn’t spot this one until you pointed it out.

[@RustyJunkExhibition]

Thanks for the compliment. She fakes it pretty good.

[@hemanor58]

Awesome no nonsense truck! I have a 1964 Power Wagon that will be getting a 4BT in the near future. I appreciate the engine buying tips. I'm probably going to start with a used engine.

[@philipunderwood477]

Nice build, and great to honestly hear what the truck is and clearly is not. Giddyup!

[@AustenARW]

Nice honest opinions on your experiences! Thanks!

[@josephorcutt9124]

Great video. Excellent realistic points about the engine and applications.

[@beaverdam3252]

Thanks for the video i been watching a bunch of videos im swapping a 4BTA in to my 1960 f250 4x4

[@billporter7837]

Great article! I can relate to this. I drove a 1974 F250 2wd for 13 years. I put an Isuzu 4BB1 in it in1979 and turbogharged it in1982 . It gave me 27 mpg and was very dependable--noisy as hell, though.

[@ORflycaster]

Just found your channel. I love old iron (especially Fords), and your no B.S. presentation style. I've subscribed, an am diving into the playlist. Keep up the great work.

[@RustyJunkExhibition]

Awesome, thank you!

[@dumbasscountryboy]

Really cool build!!! I am thinking of doing a 4 bt in my 1979 international scout 11. You just answered a lot of my questions and concerns and I thank you Sir for the information.

[@RustyJunkExhibition]

Glad I could help!

[@dumbasscountryboy]

paquitos hammer do you think that would be a better choice and why?

[@thomasdavidson7367]

Very well done video. Really appreciate the pro/con way of sorting the info!

[@RustyJunkExhibition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tct9mm151]

This truck is a "hodge podge" of AWESOME!!

[@blairhunewill3090]

You solved the one thing I hate about those beautiful 70s Fords, the fuel economy. I sold my 79 f150 with the 351M because it got 8.5mpg highway and it was slower than my 2.7 i4 Tacoma. Well done!!

[@madcat4563]

7:30 Correction, they run hot but take a while to warm up on the big cast iron blocks. From what I've learned, the combustion chamber is under way more pressure and heat compared to a petrol. That's why diesel parts are so heavy duty. Great video and cool truck.

[@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006]

Just caught your video a couple years late Lol. I am a 73' to 79' dent side Ford lover, Back in the early 80's just out of high school got my first one a 75' F250 high boy before it was over that truck was on 18/44s a 490 ci BB Ford pushing 823hp on the dyno right @ 1 mile per gallon of good fuel. A couple of friends of mine were Detroit Diesel guys they were putting 453 and 471T DDAs in theirs pretty nice little set up. So my old 75' I decided to make it bigger with with 2 1/2 ton rockwells and 48s and do a Detroit swap... Well that never evolved when she was tore down another friend of mine rolled his truck and needed a body and offered me to much to refuse for mine then others wanted the big block military's and tires so she never ended up finished. So let's click to now last year found the back yard find of history for me, a pristine 1979 F 350 4x4 with a 453T DDA with a RTO 6610 10 spd over drive transmission still playing with her. I can see the 4 BTA light good mpg plenty of go. the only difference in the Detroit and the Cummins is weight the detroit is 1200lbs and the transmission is 1200lbs. But she is cool and gets good MPGs and even has a real 2 stage jake brake. But Love your truck real cool ride!

[@bobdufresne6294]

One of the best looking trucks on the web and having a 4BT is icing on the cake.

[@stevegreene4880]

Nice job on this video and presentation. Big thumbs up! Keep that old iron on the road.

[@bcorbin247]

I’m doing something similar, putting a Ford 256D out of a Ford tractor (came out of a 5000, rebuilding it into a 7700 motor) into an ‘87 F-250. Your video has some good information, thanks a lot for sharing!

[@harryotaint9163]

Now THAT is an interesting sounding project... I hope you will post a video of that when you finish!

[@kawliga_the_plastic_indian1673]

Thank you I am looking at putting one in my 1964 f100 and this was a very informative video

[@garden_hooligan]

Thanks, it was good to remind people about matching engine to frame.

[@markbroad119]

Great build. As for the noise and vibrations and people not liking them. I have a '95 power stroke. It's straight piped, I love the clatterstroke.

[@tubewaldo]

I luv how you reused the granny 4 speed shifter

[@ssceverythingcummins2985]

Great video , you put it all out there with very good facts . It's an awesome engine but like you said it expensive and has limits as do all engines . But sadly most ppl think it's way more than it is . I'm a 6bt guy myself but if I had a 4 I'd make good use of it .

[@yetiwagon]

so much common sense it hurts. thanks for taking the time to make the video! i was considering a 4bt into an f100 but i dont think its for me right now. i do run an 89 idi on vegoil tho....smells great.

[@georgevinge9900]

Love it man!!! I'm building one now to put in my 1951 GMC pickup cant wait

[@darrellashby8802]

Now that's cool man

[@charbvin]

Amayzing build, and you've racked up some incredible mileage on top of that! Congrats on your bad ass built!

[@Rx7man]

Good vid, I've got 4 older 6bt dodges, was humming and hawing about getting a 4bt into a 2wd XCLB dodge 1500.. I'd push the power up a bit in it, probably shoot for 300hp, 5x16 injectors and an HE351cw would probably work quite nicely About the cons of the expensive repairs, the one good thing about the 4bt is you can get a good set of pistons from a 6bt that melted a hole in one!... Aftermarket parts are plentiful too, and if you've done engine work on gassers, it's really not much different

[@Huckleberry2A]

Been looking into doing this swap on a 53 Chevy 3100. Ty for all the info.

[@gepwxaqdfsidsesg1548]

Good video. Thanks, and hello from London UK

[@lunathemoonprincess5332]

Tysm for the informative video. I'm thinking of putting a 4bt in a 1996 Ford E150 conversion van.

[@dredgenyor1674]

I have no inclination to do anything with a 4BT, idk why I even clicked the video, but I can say one thing for sure, I thoroughly enjoyed the video lol

[@greggb681]

8:23 good! Nice to see someone care about reliability and drivability, sure this thing would be great up here in Wyoming! My suv is normally aspirated and my god does it struggle 😂

[@rustjunky764]

Nice channel name!! Love these old fords

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome looking truck. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I remember trucks like this Ford. My grandparents had a 1976-77 F250 Camper Special they used to tow a 5th wheeler trailer around the country. If only they were powered (at the time) by Diesel engines, either a Cummins 4bta, or possibly a 6bt.

[@candisully8209]

outstanding truck,Great video

[@dakotadale567]

extremely accurate and honest review of this swap. Great video

[@RustyJunkExhibition]

Glad you liked it!

[@zxej6879]

Excellent video. I have a couple of project vehicles that I want to put a diesel in. I like diesel drive characteristics. My wife has a '18 Ram 2500 Tradesman Crewcab 4wd 6.7L. 3.42 ratio 6sp auto. I have a '16 Ram 1500 Tradesman Quadcab 4wd 3.0L 3.92 ratio 8sp auto. Cummins has a R2.8 crate engine. That is probably a better engine for most swaps. I hope to install one in my '96 Jeep ZJ. And a '78 Dodge B-100 van, that will be converted to 4wd. The key to enjoying a small diesel engine swap is axle gearing and double overdrive transmissions. My wife's truck is an absolute beast!!! That 370hp, 800lb/ft tq Cummins is more capable than the truck is rated for. My Ecodiesel with the 8sp ZF trans and 3.92 ratio is great off road. But would be better with a 4:1 ratio transfer case. On icy roads my truck is a dream to drive. My wife's truck is hard to manage unless in low range. The example you gave with the Chevy 1 ton would work very well with a doubler box and an overdrive stick or auto transmission. Most likely your truck could use a doubler too. Unfortunately any diesel swap incurs costs. The R2.8 Cummins costs $8k as a fairly complete crate engine. And it will pass 50 state emmisions up to a '99 body.

[@divadyrdnal]

In the “middle” of a 6bt nv4500 swap to my 1967 f100 (on a 1978 3/4 ton 4x4 frame)...thanks for showing lots of the details... hope my truck works as well as yours.

[@PureCountryof91]

The 6bt will be nice. They run smoother than the 4bt. And they're easily upgraded..

[@kellybikeco]

great video! thanks for sharing... i have a 1997 4BTA sitting on my pallet rack that im looking at dropping it in 79 short bed Chevy K10... its manual and i plan on running an NV4500 so it cruises on the highway... my only concern is the vibration factor that i hear so much about... im all into the sound and heat deadening so maybe that'll help, but what im really after is daily drivability, reliability, good mileage and good enough power to occasionally haul a car trailer long distance whenever i need to...

[@bobdevlin4118]

I have a 4BT in a 78 GMC 4x4 Suburban and love it!

[@wazza33racer]

Your power to the ground figures are very respectable )) More power really only puts the rest of the drive train in danger of being destroyed. People in Australia have been putting 6BT in old Nissan Patrols...........and they just blow the diffs to pieces ;) I priced one of the new Cummins 2.8, 4 cylinders and they were min Aussie $10k.

[@TruckerMike089]

Awesome video man. I've got an 82 GMC K15 I'm thinking of doing a 4BT swap with.

[@SlowandLoud]

Beautiful build. Just plain simple.

[@kingtut5923]

Now that's what I'm talking about , nice job.

[@philip4x4guy]

Well reviewed! Love the truck!

[@abefehr6155]

That's one sexy truck great job on the conversion

[@mikecollins6555]

I put on in my 1954 Ford custom line and love it

[@1Chuck4U2C]

Nicely down truck, I have a 1985 GMC 2500 frame and a 1966 Chevy C20 cab and bed 4bt Cummins VE . I’ve had the motor in a rat rod that I built , but it was too much motor for it.

[@colinsmith5060]

Pretty cool this popped up on my feed! Looks like you got some fancy wheels on it now.

[@RustyJunkExhibition]

It was weird putting shiny parts on the Ford! So cool you found the video.

[@vintagetintrader1062]

Thanks, thought the ‘P’ pump would be the only choice for anything used in a engine swap to gain a bit of performance. Now realise the VE pump would be best for my intended use. Thanks for that :)

[@wizard_of_poz4413]

don't listen to keyboard warriors and you'll be amazed what you can learn out there

[@Kevin-kb6uq]

Thanks for making this video. Really answered a lot of my questions. I have the exact same year and color truck even have the off road lights on the front and 4WD. Mine has the 300 six and gets 9 mpg on a good day and doesn't have enough power to pull a leaf off a picnic table. 480 tq on a chassis dyno is well over 500 ftlbs at the flywheel. Big increase over stock with such mild mods. What blows my mind is 20 mpg in a 6000+ lb 4 WD truck. Amazing! I've thought of converting mine to a diesel even thought of a Detroit (love the sound) several times but I just can't swing the cost. I have a spare 351W in the shed and will probably throw a 408 stroker crank in it and call it good.

[@Saltshaker2016]

Just wanted to point out, that 460 will VERY quickly cost you more in fuel the the 4BT swap would cost up front.

[@augustbiechy34]

Damn... Nice truck... Alot of work... RESPECT

[@crusader777]

Great video man

[@equuspac]

Great truck man!!! Love it!!!

[@JohnDoe-ud2cc]

I like your manual locking hub conversion.

[@muleoutpost8156]

Very nice build. I look on it with envy. Ideal for myself would be to do it with a Ford chassis. If international had built a 6 cylinder idi I would consider that swap as well.

[@NickBeek]

Like the video, good info. I would have liked to see some driving video too.

[@williamblakeley2495]

A little confident huh 😏 awsome sales man .I don't doubt a word you said.

[@pro2aneveryield479]

Have you looked at getting an auxiliary gearbox? Gear Vendors make an auxiliary box that goes behind the transmission and will double your transmission gears. A 5 speed becomes a 10. It'll give you a double over drive for non-towing highway use. It's basically having half gears between the main gears. It is awesome!

[@Tinman97301]

I've been looking for info on a 4BT for a daily. Thinking about putting one in a K20 just cuz . Thanks man.

[@channell11]

They're neat swaps, although I think in a daily application the vibration and noise would get tiresome. Seems like it would be great for a trail rig, though.

[@dieseldemon8562]

I had a ‘78 that was my grandpa’s truck. I always wanted a 4BTA in it. I ended up just massaging the 300 six that was in it, and on 35’s with 4.88 gears it was pretty stout. I loved the 205 for its strength, but hated the 1.96 low range. The Dana 44 front was the weakest link. If I can ever get my hands on another one, I’ll never let it go!

[@foolin78]

Bro I got a 78 Ford F150 ranger that was my great grandpa’s

[@ThePr8head]

I love your truck!!! Ultimate all around BADASS truck!!!

[@Bens359pete]

Great video. Looking to maybe swap a 4bt into my 87’ K30. Was looking to 6bt, but considering the 4bt

[@matthewlewis-zw3tf]

Beautiful shot bead look.

[@sdub300]

Love this truck. My ideal combo.

[@sampackard9125]

I appreciate your thorough explanation of pros and cons. Who supplied or rebuilt your most recent 4bt? Thanks.

[@stiffhauler3238]

Love to do this to my 05 Silverado, it's got the very anemic V6. I use that truck the same way this truck is used except no trailer hauling and my truck is about 1000lbs lighter

[@vincentjohnson9126]

Wow - this is awesome!!! Nice truck

[@SgtRudySmithbRet]

I have an '02 wrangler with a blown motor........ that's why I'm here.

[@jonruger]

Go with a VW tdi engine lots of kits for Jeep swapping lots of power and mileage and a lot lighter and cheaper.

[@thomasbarlow4223]

Tdi for the jeep all day that cast iron 4bt is way too heavy

[@alvinkong6528]

Good video and thank you for sharing

[@bgd73]

great video. I run a 96 gmc k1500 manual.. 5500 empty. this setup would have it hovering at 6k. I have a welded frame, and this would finish nicely my sarcastic over weld. for gm swaps in the half ton..torsion 4x4 is much better off for the front engine weight increase. Nice ford you have, my first was a 1974 f100. I loved it. my gmc just went past 385k, my old ford was at 330.

[@md_randoms2429]

A k1500 is a great 4bt swap

[@michaelguerin56]

Thanks. A good, honest video.

[@BirdseyeVu]

Beautiful rig!

[@seeweezeke]

I have a 2008 jeep wrangler rubicon that is repowered with a 4BT. It has had the cummins since 2012. I think it is the perfect power plant for a jeep, if you like diesels. It has noticeable noise.but it isn't like you can't hear the radio. It gets great fuel mileage off-road, around 24-46 on the highway.