Another 89
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Alpharetta
Another 89
ok so tommorrow i'm going to check out yet another f-150. this one is a 1989 F-150 Lariat. it's a V8 5.8L FI. is that a 351? sorry if that's a dumb question. It's got a long bed, reg cab, pw, pl, ps, pb, tool box. It's got 169k miles. It's an auto 4x4. The gear selection goes (P,R,N,D,2,1) which tranny is that? is it a good one? I will be test driving it tommorow, so any info before then would be great. anything specific to check out? I want to lift it. From what I understand it's not possible to do a body lift on an automatic, is that correct? I would be doing a suspension lift for now but was considering a body lift down the road.
Thanks in advance
Keith
Thanks in advance
Keith
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Alaska
I have never heard of not being able to lift it because of it being an auto tranny. That is interesting, anyway I would definately go with a suspension lift. 4 inches will clear 33's and 6inches will clear 35's. Yes a 5.8L is a 351 engine, they are strong engines. As for your Tranny I would guess it is a AOD, is there a overdrive button on the shifter lever? Some trucks had E4OD's. The eary E4OD trannys had some problems, but I think mostly related to the MLPS. There is an updated part if that is the case. Anyone else know much about the E4OD?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Iowa
To answer your questions:
The 5.8 is the 351
the fact that there is no overdrive indicated on the shift indicator tells me that it is a C6 tranny but I could be wrong.
it sounds like this could be a solid truck. my advice would be to post the Vin #, tranny code, and axle codes from the door tag and someone here could give you the full break down of what the truck came equipped with from the factory.
Keep in mind that 16 years gives alot of time for someone to have swapped things out but if it is a one owner truck it may be a good deal. as far as the lift question goes. I have never heard of not bieng able to lift an automatic. You may have to get creative and manufacture some new shift linkage but other than that I can see no major issues.
My truck is an 89 f250, 5.8 Fi, 4x4 and I have no complaints other than the fuel mileage.
Good luck
Ugly truck
The 5.8 is the 351
the fact that there is no overdrive indicated on the shift indicator tells me that it is a C6 tranny but I could be wrong.
it sounds like this could be a solid truck. my advice would be to post the Vin #, tranny code, and axle codes from the door tag and someone here could give you the full break down of what the truck came equipped with from the factory.
Keep in mind that 16 years gives alot of time for someone to have swapped things out but if it is a one owner truck it may be a good deal. as far as the lift question goes. I have never heard of not bieng able to lift an automatic. You may have to get creative and manufacture some new shift linkage but other than that I can see no major issues.
My truck is an 89 f250, 5.8 Fi, 4x4 and I have no complaints other than the fuel mileage.
Good luck
Ugly truck
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 161
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From: Eastern Iowa
Sorry, I guess that I didn't answer one of your tranny questions. "Is it a good one?"
If it is a C6 then yes it is a good one, darn near bullet proof (From my experience)
but if it is a C6 then it is only a 3 speed tranny and your fuel mileage will suffer a bit
if it is an overdrive tranny than it will get better fuel mileage and I have no Idea how well these trannys hold up. I have always had C6's with no problem so I never bothered to learn anything about the OD trannys.
If it is a C6 then yes it is a good one, darn near bullet proof (From my experience)
but if it is a C6 then it is only a 3 speed tranny and your fuel mileage will suffer a bit
if it is an overdrive tranny than it will get better fuel mileage and I have no Idea how well these trannys hold up. I have always had C6's with no problem so I never bothered to learn anything about the OD trannys.
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From: Alpharetta
thanks everyone for the quick responses. I'll be cehcking it out tomorrow afternoon. i'll scratch down the axel and engine codes as well as teh Vin. i'll post those up ASAP. i guess i'll be climbing under the truck and counting bolts. 
so ya'll have not heard of any problems using a body lift on an automatic transmission. Ok, thats good. i'll be sticking with a suspension lift for now, but you never know what lies down the road.
Thanks again
Keith
so ya'll have not heard of any problems using a body lift on an automatic transmission. Ok, thats good. i'll be sticking with a suspension lift for now, but you never know what lies down the road.Thanks again
Keith
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Elder User
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From: Alpharetta
i just got back from the test drive, she looks good. Like i said earlier, the tranny reads "P,R,N,D,2,1" there is NOT an overdrive button on the end of the shifter. Does that make this tranny a C6?
thanks
keith
thanks
keith
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Alaska
All I know for sure is it is not the E4OD. You may have to count the bolt on the tranny pan as mentioned by SoCal. You could also try calling a Ford dealership and giving them the vin., maybe they can decode it for you. What about test driving it to a ford dealer or repair shop, someone there should know. I would guess that it is just hard to tell what tranny you have from your descriptions. Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
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From: USA
The tranny is most likely a C6. The C6 is trans code 'G', if I remember correctly. Counting the pan bolts will end all doubts as to what it is. Yes, the C6 is a good tranny, one of the best of all the American auto trannys made. Keep the fluid changed, don't overheat it and it should last a long time.