If so, I'd say that was the only serious flaw in your ride (no offense to slushbox afficionados). So...maybe you haven't done "too much" to your truck--maybe you haven't yet done enough?
Time to convert to a M50D! The Mazda box is cheaper and easier to find than a ZF and more fun, as you actually get to USE 1st gear (I love to shift!), and shift a FIVE-SPEED, as opposed to starting in 2nd and effectively driving a FOUR-speed, with a creeper you'll never need on the street (other than in bad traffic jams, I 'spose.)
Does it actually snow in WV? (I seriously don't know). Because you said folks there "need" 4x4's? I've lived much further north than you (think near Canada) and gotten by for 3 decades with 2x4's, using STUDDED SNOWS in winter. (I've just gotten my first 4x4 and am looking forward to it, but on the street, studded WINTER tires make a HUGE difference, even with a 2x4.)
You've got a GREAT lookin' truck, IMO. I like the pre-runner look, and I think your lift is subtle, and therefore, good-looking (and I generally dislike lifts of any kind, for a variety of reasons). How does it handle?
Plus, if you go with the M5OD, it'll wake up your Big Six.
What mods did you do to your exhaust?
Why not wait until you get a (free?) stick-shift donor truck given to you, then do the tranny swap at your leisure, for zero dollars (other than a new clutch and SLAVE CYLINDER--do it while your in there, as it requires dropping the trans anyway), then scrap the carcass to pay off your new clutch/slave cylinder parts?
If you swap trannies, you'll probably want the 3.55's back in there (it sounds like you swapped for 4.10's?) because the I6 with M5OD and 3.55's is a VERY sweet combination (that's what my '88 is) and the ratios are PERFECT, IMO, for a street truck. IOW, the overdrive, Big Six and 3.55's are perfectly-matched, IMO, for a half ton street truck--snappy enough acceleration and fairly long legs, for the highway.... (In a drag race, my '88 F-150 will run away from my friend's low-mileage, '88 F-250/351+ZF/4.10's, due to the F-250's greater weight, and my friend's goofy shifting habits).
Of course, if your tires are significantly taller than stock, you might still need the 4.10's? I dunno, but you can always swap hoops anytime....
Hang in there, guy!
Big Six
__________________ Real trucks have clutch pedals....
1972 F-100, 240-I6 (slushbox ), 2x4, ("restified")
1981 F-100, 300-I6, 4 spd manual with O.D., 2x4 (currently functioning as a shed)
1988 F-150 300-I6, 5 spd. Mazda, 2x4 (FOR SALE)
1997 F-250 H.D.S.C., 460, 5 spd. ZF, 4x4
Guys, my net is on the fritz so I can't quote you all right now. TexasGuy, I tried to open the link but the net wouldn't let me. I'll try later. DieselBrad, with all the money and knowledge you have you could convert a truck to manual, ha! I know you can!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSix1
Bill, Bill, Bill....,
IIRC, your truck is an automatic--is that right?
If so, I'd say that was the only serious flaw in your ride (no offense to slushbox afficionados). So...maybe you haven't done "too much" to your truck--maybe you haven't yet done enough?
Time to convert to a M50D! The Mazda box is cheaper and easier to find than a ZF and more fun, as you actually get to USE 1st gear (I love to shift!), and shift a FIVE-SPEED, as opposed to starting in 2nd and effectively driving a FOUR-speed, with a creeper you'll never need on the street (other than in bad traffic jams, I 'spose.)
Does it actually snow in WV? (I seriously don't know). Because you said folks there "need" 4x4's? I've lived much further north than you (think near Canada) and gotten by for 3 decades with 2x4's, using STUDDED SNOWS in winter. (I've just gotten my first 4x4 and am looking forward to it, but on the street, studded WINTER tires make a HUGE difference, even with a 2x4.)
You've got a GREAT lookin' truck, IMO. I like the pre-runner look, and I think your lift is subtle, and therefore, good-looking (and I generally dislike lifts of any kind, for a variety of reasons). How does it handle?
Plus, if you go with the M5OD, it'll wake up your Big Six.
What mods did you do to your exhaust?
Why not wait until you get a (free?) stick-shift donor truck given to you, then do the tranny swap at your leisure, for zero dollars (other than a new clutch and SLAVE CYLINDER--do it while your in there, as it requires dropping the trans anyway), then scrap the carcass to pay off your new clutch/slave cylinder parts?
If you swap trannies, you'll probably want the 3.55's back in there (it sounds like you swapped for 4.10's?) because the I6 with M5OD and 3.55's is a VERY sweet combination (that's what my '88 is) and the ratios are PERFECT, IMO, for a street truck. IOW, the overdrive, Big Six and 3.55's are perfectly-matched, IMO, for a half ton street truck--snappy enough acceleration and fairly long legs, for the highway.... (In a drag race, my '88 F-150 will run away from my friend's low-mileage, '88 F-250/351+ZF/4.10's, due to the F-250's greater weight, and my friend's goofy shifting habits).
Of course, if your tires are significantly taller than stock, you might still need the 4.10's? I dunno, but you can always swap hoops anytime....
Hang in there, guy!
Big Six
Big Six
I really appreciate you taking the time to write all that. Yes, the truck is an auto. I appreciate all of your kind words. I think this kind of thing happens to a lot of guys (like TexasGuy, F350Baby, me). So far I hear more stories of guys being sad about getting rid of a project truck than I have of guys who KEPT their trucks and stuck with them. I will probably stick with my truck; whatever it is or isn't, it's realiable. It's always started and always got me to work and back.
Again, I thank you for taking the time to write all that; and believe me I have thought about a manual tranny swap, but I'm wrench stupid. If I could do what I wanted to the truck the 300 would be replaced by a 4BT Cummins.
I think one of the keys to being content and happy is to be happy with what you have. Sometimes that little detail gets away from us, and then we go through this.
The truck is still for sale if anyone coughs up the right price, but I don't plan on getting rid of it urgently.
Bill. i dont need another project. Even though i have a mazda 5 spd w t-case sitting in the garage, Just looking for a nice driver. I kinda miss my 97 F150 4.2v6 5spd 4x4 4:10 truck(did i just say that out loud?)
Bill. i dont need another project. Even though i have a mazda 5 spd w t-case sitting in the garage, Just looking for a nice driver. I kinda miss my 97 F150 4.2v6 5spd 4x4 4:10 truck(did i just say that out loud?)
You're probably looking for something smooth and quiet then. Ole' Betsy isn't.
I have an I6 in my 89. I welded a piece of 3" OD pipe into the cat and went off with a 3" in and 3" out 24" long flowmaster with 3" out the back. It's not loud and the flow bumped the power a bit. Everything cost less than $250.
I have an I6 in my 89. I welded a piece of 3" OD pipe into the cat and went off with a 3" in and 3" out 24" long flowmaster with 3" out the back. It's not loud and the flow bumped the power a bit. Everything cost less than $250.
What the heck? Way to be off topic, lol.
I know what it takes to make a 300 sound good. That's not the issue. A good sounding 300 sounds like crap compared to a V8.
I'm not so disgusted today. I've been doing a lot of thinking and putting my prioritys in order. I'm going to leave the truck alone and drive it until the rims fall off. I may not be 100% happy with the truck, but it's a darn good truck.
It's still for sale; as Chris said, every man has his price.
Thanks guys for the support, thoughts, ideas, comments, opinions, advce, everything. You all are GREAT. I'm glad to be part of FTE.
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), 2x4, ("restified")
