2008-2010 Ford® 6.4L Diesel Engine to Cummins® Conversion Info

Information for Ford 6.4L Models

The Ford Super Duty^® 6.4L truck is one of the easiest trucks to convert to Cummins power. No modifications to the firewall, core support or floor pan are necessary. The stock radiator, intercooler and fan shroud can all be used as is with the Cummins engine. We include installation instructions with your parts purchase. Technical support is also available either through phone or email. 

If you decide to repower a Ford 6.4L truck with a Cummins engine, the 3 sensors located in the exhaust system need to be retained.

Automatic Transmissions

6.4L Automatic: The 5R110W

These transmissions work very well in the 2008-2010 Ford 6.4L to Cummins diesel engine conversion. The advantages of using the Ford factory TCM are that you keep the tow/haul function, retain your factory diagnostics with regard to the transmission, and the shift quality adaptive learning remains functional. The stock transmission harness is utilized with no additional wiring. We recommend our tuning services for the Ford TCM to assure proper transmission operation and to get the most from your conversion. Be certain to complete your conversion, per our instruction manual, before driving your truck. A service fee will apply for the tuning support, plus an HP Tuners® device and 2 credits will also be necessary (DCS is an Authorized Dealer). Data logs recorded by the customer are required for our Tuning Technicians to tune your transmission. The data logs also allow the Tuning Technicians to confirm proper installation and all needed signals are present.

See our Cummins to Ford 5R110 Torqshift article for more information.

*Note:  It is strongly suggested that you have the PCM in your truck flashed to the most recent factory firmware version. If possible, have your truck flashed prior to the conversion. Many Ford dealers are hesitant to flash a converted truck. If you are the original owner, you should have received communications from the manufacturer regarding these updates.

Dodge Automatics

While many of our conversion parts will work if using the Dodge transmission, we currently do not offer any technical support for tuning these transmissions.

An Overview of Parts in our 2008-2010 Ford 6.4L to Cummins Swap Kits

Adapter Plates

Our adapter plates for the 6.4L Super Duty use the stock Ford 6.4L starter. No modification is required to the transmission bell housing. These adapter plates use either our custom flywheel or custom flexplate (our flexplates are balanced and SFI certified). Our adapter plate replaces the adapter already on the back of the Cummins engine, making a factory quality connection for the transmission. They are precision machined at our Hutchinson, Minnesota location using 6061 billet aluminum.

Transmission Controlling

For the 5R110W automatic transmissions (that were behind a diesel engine), we use HP Tuners® and offer a tuning service. See our Cummins to Ford 5R110 Torqshift article for more information.

Engine Mounts

Our engine mounts are pre-drilled and slotted to accommodate either the engine driven fan (recommended) or electric driven fan. When using the Cummins engine driven fan, the rear drive shaft will need to be shortened. However, the front drive shaft on four-wheel drives will extend enough to reach the front differential. It is necessary to move the transmission cross member back or lengthen the slots in the mount to slide the transmission back enough to give room for the engine driven fan. Automatic trucks already have holes in the frame to move the cross member back to accommodate the Dodge Cummins engine driven fan. 

We designed our engine mounts with a bolt going all the way through the polyurethane isolator instead of relying on rubber and weak interlocking tabs to secure them to the frame cross member.

Sensor Adapters

Diesel Conversions Specialists custom makes adapters to put your Ford gauge sending units into the Cummins engine so that your stock gauges still work with the Cummins engine. This also helps get your power steering and brake system working.

ALTERNATOR MOUNT

We offer an alternator bracket kit that allows you to use the 6.4L alternator. The advantage of using this alternator is that your indicator light will still work as it should if your charging system should fail. 

Exhaust Manifolds

The conversion friendly manifolds we offer work much better in the conversion for the Cummins 12-Valve and 1998.5-2002 Cummins 24-valve engines. These manifolds place the turbo in a better position for A/C component clearance than the stock variety and make exhaust and turbo oil drain connections easier. The conversion friendly manifolds improve flow over stock and are 2-piece to reduce the chances of cracking.

12-Valve Engines

When using a Cummins 12-valve engine (VE Pump or P-Pump) for your conversion with one of the manifolds we offer, it is required that the housing of the turbo be re-oriented so oil feed and drain are vertical. Once the housing is re-oriented, the waste gate actuator will interfere with the engine block. To remedy this issue, we offer a conversion friendly waste gate actuator kit (SKU 1077) to fit the H1C and HX35 turbos that came factory on the 12-Valve engines.

24-Valve Engines

When using a 1998.5-2002 Cummins 24-valve engine for your conversion with one of the manifolds we offer, we recommend using our wastegate actuator and bracket (SKU 1077) in conjunction with the Turbo exhaust adapter (SKU 1695). Using a 2003-2004 Cummins Common Rail turbo is another option. If you choose a Common Rail turbo, you won't need a wastegate actuator mentioned above and instead would want to use our complete exhaust downpipe with flange (SKU 2164).

Exhaust Related Parts

Along with replacement manifold gaskets, hardware, and turbo mounting studs, we also offer a flexible turbo drain tube that connects to the stock hose and elbow that is left in your engine block when the stock drain tube is removed. The flexible drain tube makes for an easy connection to the re-oriented turbo housing.

Tachometer Functionality

In order to retain factory tachometer function, we utilize the Swaphelper.com Tach Helper (SKU 2569). This module takes the OEM Dodge Cummins signal and corrects it to work with the Ford PCM. Not only does the tachometer function properly, any other function of the truck requiring a tachometer signal from the PCM to operate will function properly as well. Not all, but the late model trucks require tachometer for cruise control, alternator charging function, and more. Many of our wiring harness options are pre-wired for the Swaphelper.com Tach Helper.

Air Filter

We offer an aFe® POWER air filter, pipe and hose to connect to your turbocharger in our air filter kit (SKU 1943). It positions the aFe POWER air filter where your factory air filter box is now. 

A/C System

We offers a bolt-on custom machined A/C manifold and ready to install low-side A/C line (SKU 2194). The AC manifold connects to a 1994–2005 Dodge A/C compressor. The DCS low-side AC line and the stock Ford high-side A/C line connect to the manifold and the truck’s existing system. The stock Ford high pressure switch is also utilized.   

Radiator Hoses

Our 2008-2010 Ford 6.4L to Cummins conversion kits includes the radiator and heater hoses that work well in the conversion. The kit includes a specially bent aluminized steel tube, lower radiator hose connector tube, and hose clamps. This also includes the fill tank hose.

Pedal Bracket Kit

If your truck has adjustable pedals or if it is equipped with an automatic transmission, you may want to buy our pedal bracket kit. These bolt onto your existing Ford pedal and enable you to pull a Cummins throttle cable. Our pedal bracket kit is necessary for cruise control to function with the 5R110 transmission. Refer to our throttle pedal identification article to identify the pedal style you have to determnine which kit is appropriate for your build.

Engine Wiring Harness

Depending on the the Cummins engine you will be using, we offers a new Ford 6.4L to Cummins engine harness or a harness modification service. Please see the various options available in our Kit Builder for your specific project.

Parts to Source

Even if you buy everything we sell, you will need to come up with a few parts on your own, such as an exhaust down pipe (usually a Dodge down pipe can be a good start), and intercooler tubes (again Dodge stuff can be a good start). 
A Dodge throttle cable, and a Ford gas powered truck’s cruise servo. When you order parts, we can provide additional detail.

Automatic transmission equipped trucks will require a throttle position sensor. Depending on the year and what transmission your Cummins engine had on it originally, you may need to purchase a throttle position sensor, or look into other options such as our pedal bracket kits. These are especially helpful if you have adjustable pedals and want to keep that feature. Refer to our throttle pedal identification article to identify the pedal style you have to determnine which kit is appropriate for your build.

This 2008-2010 Ford 6.4L diesel engine Cummins conversion information is provided to you to help you make an informed decision on your conversion. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

*Diesel Conversion Specialists® is not affiliated with Cummins, Ford, or Dodge. Our use of these registered trademarks is for descriptive purposes only.