First let me tell you that I am mechanically inclined & can tear an engine apart & put her back together by myself successfully minus the machine work.
But I'm not the best at selecting the component needed to reach the torque/hp power range I desire. That is where I'm hoping you fine folks will jump in guide me in the general direction.

I'm looking for engine, transmission, rear end, & front axle modification advise.
I am on a budget but am not to concerned about cost. This is something that can wait until to money is all there. But I can start collecting parts right now.

This is what I got....
1988 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat 4X4 302/AOD. Not sure of the Rear End.

This is what I'm wanting the truck to do....
I want to get around 300-350 hp out of it and 300-350+ ft/lbs of torque.
I want the old beast to be able to hold its own, not really win or challenge anybody but to beable to put up a good fight before a possible defeat to where the opposing party will think twice about challenging me next time.

I don't want a tire burner to where it breaks the tires loose from traction everytime I touch the trottle, once in awhile is fine.
I want it to be responsive at the trottle & throw you back in the seat like a jet airplane on take off. I may consider a posi/traction lock differential.

Using 4X4 is another issue to me.
I love going off road in any kind of terrain, so this truck still has to perform as it did, if not better (hopefully better) then it does now.
I am going to be putting a snow plow on this next for next winter also, so it must be able to handle the affects of 4X4 while pushing snow. This I believe is where some modifications can be done to the front gear box or transfer case if available.

I am open for suggestion on what component will work best for my I wants....

I have also been thinking about 351W heads for my 302 but that will only make it a Boss version, correct?

 

Also forgot to mention that it is Fuel Injected & I can get machine work done cheap.

 

Well first off 351W heads will not make it a Boss. That was 351Cleveland type heads. The only 351W heads that would offer any improvement over your heads were the C9OE and D00e heads 1969 and early 70's They had larger valves and runners.
The easiest change I'd say would be to pull the 302 and drop in a 351W. It would bolt up to everything except for you fuel injection stuff. Too bad it's not carbed. If you really wanted to boost your torque stroke the Windsor to a 393 with some good heads and it should push you back in the seat.
Clint

 

You didn't indicate whether or not you need it to be emissions legal or not. Nevertheless, here are my suggestions:

TFS Twisted Wedge Heads
TFS Stage 2 cam
Edelbrock Performer 5.0L Truck intake or a similar aftermarket truck intake.
Headers, even shorties
Dual Exhaust, with a crossover, 2.5" should be sufficient.

That kind of setup should get you in the ball park.

-Matthew

 

Ditto on swapping in a carbed windsor or an EFI version

 

We don't have emission testing here as of yet, so no inspection sticker in my window!

I have'nt ruled out the 351W yet.

I was kind of hoping I could get some mod. idea for the top end, that why I wouldn't have to pull my engine out.

 

With the vehicle/engine/transmission combo you have, and what you want it to do, you really need more cubic inches and a longer stroke crank to accomplish your goals. Also check your axle ratio, it may be too high to give you a good bottom end. Theres an ID tag held to the rear cover with one of the bolts, that has the ratio on it. Or get the axle code from the door sticker and look it up.

 

your axle will almost certainly be 3.55 to 1 as that was the ratio ford used in 99.9% of their 4X4s and it is a 8.8 rear axle.

 

I beg to differ! My 88' 351W 4x4 has 10.25 sterling rear w/ 3.55 gears in the rear. Axle code 19. 3.55 was the most popular axle ratio. The next was 3.08 in 2wd 300-6 and 302's with the AOD trans. It was a emmission/ gas milage thing. Not many of those made.

 

sorry I should have been more specific , I meant in 1/2 tons not 3/4or 1 tons and as I said 4X4s , I realize they made 3.08s for some 2 wheel drives.

 

Isn't your 88 a speed density EFI system? If so, you are going to be real limited with the engine mods you can do.

 

My '88 f150 IS a 1/2 ton !

 

ummm..10.25 sterling is not 1/2 ton. If you are sure that it is a 10.25, then somebody else must have swapped it in. How many lugs are on it?