“Fummins” 1972 Ford F-150
Robert has always been into Ford and has always been into diesel. The Power Stroke didn’t have enough power, so he made the “Fummins” truck. He had a complete Banks system on his 6.0 Power Stroke prior. He knew his next vehicle was it had to be something that could replace it with power, room, and versatility. “I’m in my mid 30’s and I have a family,” said Robert, “but I kinda still like to cruise. I’m not out of that stage where I want big power. On the other hand, I have four kids and a wife. I wanted something that we all hop into and go get ice cream, go together as a family.
I have a ’69 Mach 1 Mustang, and I could never bring my whole family with me… anywhere really. With my family, I just wanted to have something that was capable of including them in my life. So, if I wanted to go to a car show, they can come. I was looking for a four-door truck to hold my entire family, all six of us. And to restore for a pastime with my eldest son.” Enter the Fummins.
The Project
He found the perfect project vehicle in a beautiful four-door 1972 Ford F-250 Crew Cab Special in Washington state. It was the original paint, and original interior, and only had 56,000 miles on it. The beauty was powered by a 390 Ford big block.
Since Robert had a love for diesel he knew that the stock gas engine had to go. Figuring out what was going to replace it was the challenge. He ended up settling on a 12V Cummins with the vision of making a compound turbo “Fummins” (Ford+Cummins build). It also needed an automatic transmission for easy drivability. Plus, newer super-duty axles and springs for handling whatever he threw its way. The donor engine and transmission come from a 1995 Dodge Ram.
Robert and his friends did the work to put things like the compound turbo system together. All the welding, trial, and error were all done in his garage. The whole job was completed in six months, and it was also the first time the truck was driven since its delivery. “I never even drove it with the gas motor in it. The first day I drove it was with the engine and transmission swap and compound turbos!”
The truck completely fits the bill for everything that Robert wanted in a vehicle: power… check! A diesel… check! Enough room for his entire family… check! And the versatility to do whatever he wants… check! Said the Burlington, Wisconsin native “Just the other week I went to the local hardware store and filled the bed up with lumber for a project, all with my entire family.” Sounds like a mission accomplished, long live the “Fummins!”