Hello all, I was recently given a 73 f100 with a clean title. Body is straight, one owner no rust. 2wd 302 has been locked up since the 90s. 3 speed on the tree.
I am wanting to bring her back to life, because I absolutely love these bodies. So, I'm wondering what my best options here are. My goal is to finish her out as a cruiser I could drive anywhere. I have a few options, but I don't know what the best/easiest option would be. I have a few grand set back for the project, and the truck is already in pieces in my shop. All body panels etc removed, just a rolling frame. I am somewhat mechanically inclined, but ive never done anything "custom". My goal is to have enough power to keep up with modern speed limits, somewhat normal MPG etc.
So my options are, rebuild or replace the current 302 and refresh everything else and keep it stock.
i have a 91 e150 handicap van (5.0 auto) that runs and drives flawlessly. I bought it for 350 bucks just incase i wanted to use the parts. I could swap that trans/engine in
i also have a 2001 expedition 4.6 that runs and drives with the exception of the 4.6 has a blown headgasket. I could rebuild the 4.6 and swap all these over
or my final option, ls swap it. My neighbor has a 01 chevy pickup 5.3 he told me he would sell me for dirt cheap.
I have no issue doing the work or spending a little money, but i kinda want to get this done asap, and obviously as cheap as possible without rigging anything up. so whats my best route here out of these options for a daily driver truck? Not looking to slam it, or anything goofy like that. Just a straight up cruiser/daily that looks clean. Thanks in advance for any feedback I get.

Editing to add, I am not afraid of tackling any project and I own just about every tool made, besides a welder. So if one of these options requires way more custom fab work than the rest, im fine ruling it out.

 

I suggest that you rebuild the 302 and keep it stock. Please no Chevrolet engine!

 

If the e150 is a 5.0/AOD that would be a pretty easy setup to get to work if you're wanting to get rid of the manual. That's not really the most desirable 302 year for a swap but you could make it breathe a little better and it would have the legs for the highway and you'd have OD. I'm not familiar enough with what years had what, especially the E series but if it's an AOD and not an AOD-E then it would be easy to get to work.

One of the cheaper and easier swaps out of those options. An LS makes my eyes roll. I tend to like the idea of keeping the stock powertrain setup but not having an OD can suck, you can always do a fairly tall rear end and not be screaming on the highway.

 

I have no issues with getting rid of the manual, as long as i wouldn't have to go to some ugly floor shift setup. I'd like to keep it on the column. The van is 100 percent complete and driving so I have every module etc. Would i still need any stand alone drivers and such?

 

Well if it's an AOD and not an AODE (electronically controlled) you won't need any drivers or TCMs for the transmission, it's controlled by a tv cable. But if you're wanting to swap over the 5.0 and keep the EFI setup and all that's a different story and will be more complicated.

 

Nobody likes to hear it, but the truth is unless it's a short box you'd be best off to find something to restore that you could use your good parts off this vehicle on. you could dump a lot of time and money into the least desirable variation of these pickups and not have anything of value when you're done. not trying to be a downer but you're going to find this out sooner or later, might be best now.

 

You answered your own question in your 1st statement. YES just rebuild the 302, it is in it already, motor mounts ect... Has all the accessories attached. No goofing with wiring, trans issues, drive line changes ect...

The LS swap will be contradictive to YOUR statement. And Henry Fords ghost will come haunt your garage if you put a chebbie motor in it.

 

I’ve got no issues with brand loyalty, run whatever makes sense. What bolts in already is typically way faster/easier to get on the road. anything else is going to involve fab/ parts hunting.

I’ll take a longbed a thousand times before I’d consider a shortbed, though the funny little boxes look cool on a super or crew.

 

Short bed = $, 4x4=$, short bed 4x4 = $$. long bed 1/2 ton 2wd = parts for previously listed. just say'in.

 

Save money, run a bed that’s useful…. And doesn’t look like a goofy little toy.

 

See if you can find a 300 I6 and drop it in to replace the 302, all you need to move is the engine perches, I'm all for KISS when it comes to reliability and durability.

 

So 2wd 1/2 tons are only parts trucks? No value in them?