Ok, I have a 1994 XL with a 4.9L that I drive daily. It's got a few issues but runs ok. I'm in the process of replacing the EGR pipe and the rear gas tank. The body and suspension was beat to heck when I bought it. I think it was a hunter's truck or perhaps a logger's truck. Not a straight place on the body. I paid 1900 for it and have about 2600 in it (had to install steering gear box, electric fan, and a few other odds and ends). The interior is decent with comfortable bench seat and vinyl floors.

Now, I came across a 1993 XLT with a 5.0L and a quarter of a million miles on it. It was essentially a one owner truck and the body is in excellent shape. Has bed liner, tonau cover, duel flow masters, new battery, and was well maintained. The suspension is tight and handles and rides better than my 93. Here is the catch, one of the cylinders has no compression. The engine runs but smokes and BLOWS oil out the rear main seal. The transmission will not go into gears when stopped but stays in gear when rolling (it did have low fluid level). Also the interior is trashed. I only paid 700 for it though.

My question is, should I swap the interior and 4.9L and transmission into the XLT or bide my time and find a good 5.0L and transmission and only swap the interiors and then sell the XL?

My gut feel is, I would be better off with the 5.0L if I plan to keep the truck for a while.

 

Both autos, both manuals, or one of each? I personally wouldn't do a i6 to v8 swap a lot of guys do though so there will be info around for that. If they are both manuals I'd say find a good 5.0 to put in the v8 truck and use the i6 trans. And any other good parts and be done

 

Yeah the I6 to V8 or vise versa swap is a job with lots of parts needed and it's not a straight plug and play, whereas if you were to find just about any 5.0EFI it will plug right in there.

 

Both are automatic trans... I think I will keep driving the I6 truck until I can save my nickels for a replacement 5.0L and trans. Thanks!

 

How much is the 5.0 truck? 4wd?

 

Sorry, the 5.0 is 2wd and not for sale. The I6 will be for sale this fall.

 

Is the 4.9 truck 4wd and what are your plans? Just a driver or are you going to be using it as a truck i.e. tossing things in the bed driving where it may get bunged up? If they are both 2wd what gears are in the rearends, put the best set in the truck you plan on keeping. Stuff like that.

 

Both are 2wd. I will be daily driving with periodic hauling, very infrequent towing, and definitely no off-roading.

 

ok, now how much is the 5.0 truck? It better be dirt cheap with those miles and the problems (like scrap value cheap)

 

I think I have decided to keep both the I6 truck and use the V-8 truck for parts. The I6 is strong as is the automatic transmission. The interior on the I6 truck is better. So my new plan is to rob all the chrome parts from the V-8 xlt truck as well as the bed since the I6 truck bed is beat up. Also going to get the rear sway bar from the V-8 truck and considering swapping the I6's 308 rear end with the V-8 trucks 355 rear end since most the driving I do is 60 mph and under.

 

Upgrading to the better gear is a great idea. Will help with power and mpg.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...4-10-gear.html

This guy went to a 3.73 because he has one laying g around but a 3.55 is just as good.

 

Not sure what the other folks are talking about, but a I6 to v8 swap is as plug and play, as plug and play gets, especially if you have the donor truck.

The I6 is a solid engine, in terms of function and longevity, stock vs stock, a hell of a lot better than the 5.0. In terms of going fast or ability to be made to produce more power, and not sound like complete chit with an aftermarket exhaust, the 5.0/5.8 gets the win.

 

If that is true, that is a horse (or truck) of a different color. It would save me a lot of body and suspension work and I'd be driving the one-owner truck afterwards with a superior engine/transmission combo. I have always liked 6s above 8s. Do you have a recommendation for instructions and things to be careful of? And yes I do have both trucks and they are both complete.