I just wanted to update this thread, for any poor guy searching the internet for information on a dt466 swap.
Don't do it.
I am building a 2008 f250 with a dt360, which you will notice is very different from what I was thinking at the start of this thread.
I attached a pic of the bus with dt360 i bought, and the truck i bought as well.
There are a lot of reasons the 466 is a terrible idea.
It is huge and heavy.
What front end will handle it?
Huge 5 ton axles, thats what.
Good luck finding a 5 ton axle with decent gear ratios.
Transfer case?
Either a 600 lb bohemith, or an scs transfer case, either one needs lots of money to get going.
Transmission?
What can you even use? Sure there are medium duty transmissions, but they are massive and slow shifting, maybe good for a 2wd dually project if you wanted to tow trailers.
It really brings up the question "Why? Why do I want a 466?" I understand the big mechanical engines are reliable, neat, and can hold huge power, but the size of a 466 means that there is so much sacrifice going on, that it won't be a very nice truck.
I thought of using the dt466, 6 speed medium duty manual, big transfer case, and big 5 ton axles. At first it might seem like a great idea, but it is dumb. Even try to find big axles with juice brakes. Or ABS sensors. Maybe it would work good for an old 80's or 90's truck.
But even then, it's going to drive like a 5 ton, not a 1 ton. And I wanted to retain some fuel economy. How can you with a 466? Super low RPM, like 1400 for an empty pickup truck, and the gear ratios don't exist to make that happen.
So if your reading this, looking for dt466 swap info, just rethink it, go dt360. Save yourself the trouble, a dt466 is only good for big trucks or purpose built drag or sled pulling.
The dt360 is capable of 1000+ hp, so really what more do you want? 1000 hp is going to give you around 2000 ft/lbs of TQ, so unless your prepared to redesign the entire truck and drivetrain, there is no point in going bigger. Unless 7.6 liter sounds so much sexier than 5.9 liter, that your willing to build a really crappy truck you wont like, and wont drive nice, just for bragging rights.
I love DT engines, 466 especially, but in reality I wanted to build a nice truck, not a bragging rights kind of truck.
I am putting the dt360 in the 2008 f250, and I plan on using the stock truck, transmission, transfer case, axles, all stock.
I will use an adapter plate for the transmission, and found a guy to program the ECM to run the 5r110. I looked into transmission upgrades, but the end of the story is that racing parts wear out faster, so we are going to use the stock transmission untouched.
Power is going to be around 500 hp, give or take 50 hp.
The one thing I might do, is put a really low stall TQ converter on the transmission, to help get power to the ground, and keep the transmission alive longer.
If you read the earlier parts of the thread, you know I was conerned about ball joints and axle lifespan. Instead of going crazy and putting different axles under it, I decided I am going to install a softer suspension. Softer more cushioned impacts to the axles from the truck, should make them last longer over rough terrain and crappy roads. An impact stopped over 2" of travel puts a lot more stress on axles and ball joints than the same impact being absorbed over 4" of travel.
Instead of a cheap 6" lift kit, I am aiming for a small lift kit, maybe 4" or 5", but air bags or softer springs. All about the ride quality.
So basically, before you do what I did, and get fixed on an idea, rethink things, and maybe there is a better path to get what your after.
Don't build a huge mistake, then figure out later there was a better way, after it's too late.
I think my dt360 f250 will be a great truck, and it's a practical project, unlike my 466 wants. I think it will ride nice, run nice, give everything I was after, and if something does break, theres not a whole lot of custom drivetrain parts that only certain places will fix.
As for this thread, some might call it a giant waste, but there is a lot of great information that many have tossed in here, and regardless of a dt360 or dt466 build, anyone thinking of doing this should read through. I thank each and every one of you for your ideas and comments. I will update this as well later once I start rebuilding the dt360. It was running perfect, but figure might as well do a rebuid while it's out, for what it costs.
