OK, Hi all... After weighing my options, I have bought a 1990 F-150 4x4 to build. It was a Virginia truck and has almost no rust. The only issue is it also has no engine, transmission, transfer case, or driveshafts. Not a big issue, just want to pick what I want to put in. I will have the truck at the house tomorrow so I can look at the VIN and info plate to see what engine was in it... But I have found a 302 with all the accompanying EFI parts, EFI Rails, starter, alternator AC Compressor etc. The 302 being a good engine, I really like that, though I may need to change out my ECU. But my question is what transmission mounts up to it? Since I am going to build this one to be what I want, I am not averse to putting a Standard transmission in it, though I know it had an automatic. Going AAuto would be the easiest choice, so I am thinking E40D.... I know its not as strong as the C6, but I will be running this on the highway, doing some light to moderate 4 wheeling, so I am looking to get the extra gear on the Highway. Any Ideas?

 

What does the door sticker have to say? Lots of transmission options, but the ECM in your truck may be expecting something like an E4OD.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind the balance. 5.0 is different from 4.9 and 5.8, but the same transmission will bolt to all 3 engines.

For myself, A/T is the way to go. Hate searching for a gear when you are in a difficult spot off road.

 

Since you are in Maryland, I’d start looking into what the state says you can do since you will have to pass emissions testing. A 302 would be my distant second choice after a 351W based engine.

 

I hadn't hought about that.... I really don't know what was in it yet, I like the Windsor myself.... but Saw the 302 quick... My 87 has Historic Plates, (so no emissions) but it is stock so It might actually pass if I did it... If The truck was set up for a Windsor and I put a 302 in, what would the differnce be in Emissions? I would need to change the ECU if I did, O2 Sensors are probably the same, I need to check... Both are V-8... the Windsor being a bit bigger....

 

OK, I'm scratching my head a bit.... I know I'll get all the answers tomorrow, (When I see the VIN and door plate) but I hae been doing some research online..... and according to evrything I am seeing the 1990 Ford F150 Standard Cab Long Bed 4WD only game with a 5 speed manual.... And I know that can't be right. I am not sure if it is an XL, or XLT but From the quick look I took at it, It had the Automatic Linkage underneath, a Tillt Steering column, cloth Bench, definately 4WD and Long Bed Standard Cab. I just spoke to the guy who sold it to me and he said it had a 5.0L in it, but wasn't sure about the tranny.... I am assuming AOD.E40D or AODe... Does anyone know where to find a list of the different Transfer Cases?

 

Ford Transfer Case Identification

 

OK after doing some more reading I think My Transfer case will be a BW 1356... The truxk has a Manual Floor Shift Lever, and locking Hubs so I know its not shift on the fly... I just need to find out if there are both a Slip Yoke and Flange type so I'll know which one to get...

 

Thanks for the Transfer Case Identification site. Mine id definately a BW 1356, Manual Shift. Now I just need to identify my transmission. I saw a post earlier that identified the transmission by the Gear indicator on the column..... So I'll check that tomorrow as well. OK, so far I have pretty much verified (Owner input) it was a 5Liter/302, with a BW 1356.... Just tracking down the tranny now...

 

How do you mean it isn’t shift on the fly? With the hubs locked, you can shift in and out of 2 and 4 hi while driving down the road. You need to be stopped to put it in 4 low. Just don’t drive in 4wd in a hard surface that won’t allow for wheel slippage. Eventually the drivetrain will bind up and something will break. My ‘87 U-150 and ‘89 F-150 both had the 1356 transfer case. Since you don’t have one at all you can source a heavier duty one from a 3/4 or 1T truck.

I might be wrong about this but I believe the auto trans choices would have been AOD, C6, or E4OD. The only one that would need the correct computer is the E4OD. From what I understand the E4OD computer will run with the other two transmissions but will set a code since it won’t be getting information from the transmission.

There are a few junkyards around Frederick and Westminster where could source parts.

 

In 1990 all the F-Series trucks used the BW1356, there is not a 'heavy duty' option in the bigger trucks.

 

This webpage here states that vehicles 1995 and older <8500lbs are exempt from the Vehicle Emission Inspection Program in MD

 

I moved out of Md over 10 years ago. I am going by the fact that my friend who lives in Washington county has an ‘84 F-150 that is still required to pass visual and the tailpipe (sniffer) tests.

 

VEIP - General Requirements

looks like f1fiddy's became exempt for 95 and below.

i'd put a 460 in it.

 

OK, got the truck today and put it in the Garage. After looking at my Door panel info and getting the VIN, it is a 5.0L with an AOD transmission. You are all correct the Transfer case is a BW 1356... Found one already I cna pickup for about $150, and I have found a 302 with all the attachments... EFI, Alternator etc.. My questin now is... Without changing out the ECU, (set up for the 302) could I change the transmission? I have read allot about the different automatic transmissions and have not yet read anything good about the AOD. I won't be doing HEAVY DUTY 4wheeling, but will get it off road. I will probably only pull trailers now and again... so thats not a big requirement... I want the OD because I want the extra gear on the Hwy... I have always had C6s so I know what they give me and since this truck is not going to be working hard I am thinking the E4OD might work.... but it has its own computer... does the ECU need to be set up for the E40D input? I don't think the AOD communicates with the ECU... any advice?

 

E4OD runs off the same EECIV computer that runs your engine and relies on some of the same sensors. If that is what you want, go for it and find the correct ECM. They are out there and not impossible to find.

Should you want to keep your ECM, any of the non electronically controlled transmissions will work. C6, AOD or manual. 4R70W is electronically controlled, but not compatible with E4OD.