So my truck has always struggled a bit in the mileage department... approx 13-15 on the highway and 10 around town, short trips. It's a 1996 f150 4.9L f150 long bed, 4x4 m5od with 3.55 gears. I recently got 32x11.5r15 bfg a/t's and am still trying to figure out where I'm at mileage wise, although obviously it took a hit. never the less, it runs pretty well, always reliable, and with the exception of having to hold the gearshift in gear in reverse to keep it from popping out, I love the truck..
I'm going to school in portland and am from Washington so the majority of my driving is 200 mile trips from home to school. Since putting the BFG's on, I have done the trip 3 times.. the first two I averaged 12-13 with cruise control at 55 set by GPS and distance by GPS. I recalibrated the speedometer before the 3rd trip, using the specs for BFG tires and my speedometer is actually a couple mph faster now.. but in the 170 miles I've driven, my gauge is reading below empty.. which is wierd because the last tank got 220 miles out of it, including 50 miles offroad in 1st and 2nd gear high RPM's with hubs locked...


Anyway, I've heard so many good things about doing the 6 litre tuneup and timing bump that I figure it can't hurt and the process seems simple enough..
my question however is, 2 years ago, when I last did a tune up, (9000 miles ago) I put a BWD distributor, rotor, and wires, with champion copper spark plugs..
My question is, obviously it would be better to replace everything.. but is the BWD brand cap and rotor decent enough to keep me going a few more trips if I were to do the coil, wires and spark plugs first? or is that a no go?
I'm home (North of Seattle) for one week and would like to do this this week funds allowing, I looked up everything on summitracing, since o'reilly, autozone, carquest, napa don't carry MSD coils for my truck..
I could order it all from amazon since I have free 2 day shipping.. but what brands do people usually go from? For example, is accel as quality as MSD, since Napa and O'reilly both carry accel 48,000V coils.
If I get MSD, do I get a blaster coil or streetfire? the street fire is listed as 48,000V while the blaster is only 44,000? I thought the blaster was the performance one while the streetfire was a more stock replacement?

For spark plug wires, I priced Taylor Thundervolt wires in my cart on summitracing, but O'reilly only carries accel, BWD, motorcraft and other China? brands?

Basically what exact parts are people using with success for the 4.9L f150s? or does it not really matter as long as they're spiral core wires and a 48,000V coil?

I also am hoping to replace the two upstream O2 sensors since I doubt they've ever been replaced.. I replaced the downstream one when I replaced the cat when I first got the truck 4 years ago.
Thanks

 

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in high output coils and high end wires. Stick to the basics that many here do. Autolite (Champion are for Chryslers and lawnmowers) plugs, Motorcraft wires, and any decent cap and rotor set with brass terminals.

Since your truck isn't boosted, on spray, or have very high compression, the high end coils and such are only going to help drain your wallet. Tire pressure, clean air and fuel filters, sensible driving (even if that means life in the slow lane) and reducing any kind of drag (weight, large bug shields, etc) will help your mpg situation.

Oxygen sensors may help, since they can slow down over time. Opening up the exhaust in general can also yield gains, since there will be less restriction.

 

The idea behind the larger coil is due to gapping the plugs larger than stock. Helps create a strong spark across the larger gap. The blaster is indeed the one with 44,000 volts. I noticed that too while ordering my parts. It works just fine. I noticed quite the improvement when I did the SIXLITRE tune-up along with all the filters in the truck. Right now I'm saving for all new silicone vacuum lines and new PCV parts.

 

Just bought a MSD coil last week. My local NAPA doesn't stock it, but they ordered it for me. Their price was within a few dollars of eBay so I had them get it for me. I checked on their MSD wires, but they were like $20 higher than eBay. However, I went with the house NAPA wires for a nice $35.

 

holy-cow....just did the sixlitre tune-up and egr restricter plate....what a
difference...the ole' girl purrs like a kitten...THANKS