A little advice please

I have done cummins inplants. What year are you looking to install? late 91 -93 is the easiest. No harness and has a speedo cable. They also can be turned up mechanically. no no ECM. One wire for fuel cut off. and and a toggle on a timer for intake heater for cold starts.and one for OD if needed. The I have done newer conversions Painless makes the harness, But you need a 2003 standard shift ECM without century Key . I was fortunate Mine had century key but I have a Dodge Dealer as a sponser . They installed a update using a vin. from a customers fleet truck. I would destroy a big block car with a full frame to do what you are asking in a heartbeat. 6000 lb. trucks go 10's in a quarter at 25 mpg. With fuel the way it is I'm thinking a 4 bt turbo out of a case skid steer in a demon or dart, No room for a intercooler in a duster.

Some of these guys never owned a diesel, So they don't have a clue why you want to do this. My 93 with an 05 would hold its own against many built V-8's and it was 4x4 with 38's.

The truck was gas with a blower motor. The cummins had twice the HP and torque at over 25 mpg.

Note the truck was changed to a 93 . 90 and earlier didn't have the grille moved forward for an intercooler Early Ford power stroke have the best intercoolers . welded aluminum can be modified,

I say go for it. Its better than any big block for the street. And screw that ford. You will only be improving it.