hello everyone, well currently i own a 03 FX4 with 20k on it and a 95 40th anniversity t-bird with 80k on it. i want to either get a 2wd F150 like a 80-96 and take out the 302 and put a 351 in it and just do a lot of engine work myself and learn more about vechials. i was debaiting between doing a truck or getting a 88-93 mustang GT 5.0 and learning on that but i just love trucks. any suggestions? i really don't want to do a lightning because i would rather do everything myself on it. it will be a learning process but i have accest to get all ford parts at dealer cost and all the tools i will need.

do you guys recomend anything?? im not wanting to drag race, but i don't want to go mud bogging either i would like to make a fast truck but also a really nice looking older truck.


thanks,
joe

 

Try and find a Nite edition. They came out in about 89 and were around until 92 I think. Some came with 4wd some 2wd. Most with small block V8s. Nice look to them. I've got a 92 reg cab flareside Nite edition and I love it to death.

 

Get the truck, man. May I ask, why not just get the truck with a 351? Or do you want to learn engine swapping? There's many mods you can do, while learning, on these engines.

 

because i would like to learn the engine swap, if i find a 150 with a 351 i know it was problly raced, or beat on a bit but if i can find one an old man has with a 302 i think i might find a more relible truck.

but if i find the right deal it really won't matter

 

sounds fun... I wish I had those kind of funds to throw around. my rust might be gone on those rear wheel wells...

Ryan

 

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how much do you think something like this would cost?

 

How much do you want to spend? I can get you a line on a cleveland short block if you're looking. Otherwise, if you had a block on hand, I'd still expect to put a few hundred in during the swap for miscellaneous replacement and adaptive parts.

Sounds like fun. If want to get some out of the box inspiration, check out frederic's info. He's working on a twin turbo manifold for his 460.

 

im kinda interested in what your intentions are with your project, are you looking for about 300 horses out of it or more? And what tranny did you have in mind, 5speed or auto?

 

no idea i just want to learn how to work on a vechical i don't know too much about mechanical work. im actually a car salesman at a family owned ford dealership i just got out of the army and always wanted to do this, so now that i am back home and working full time and have my own home im going to get ready to do it, im not even sure what yet. i just want to make a fast nice looking older truck. i was going to do a stang but i think all stang have been beet on and i would be better off doing like a 80-96 f150 and put a 351 in it not sure about the tranny or anything. like i said i don't know a whole lot about mechanical work. what tranny would be better? what do you guys think?

 

If you're looking for a cheap truck to build that can be a good learner, I'd go with a 80-86 F150. Great truck to learn on. Plenty of them in the junkyard to pick parts from, easily modified and in my opinion it's usually easier to learn caboration before fuel injection.

When picking one out, try and go for one with a nice body. These trucks can be rust monsters and body work can be tedious. Seems like you're more interested in drivetrain anyway. I wouldn't worry about picking a vehicle based of off engine, since like I said earlier, there are plenty of drivetrains to go around for these beasts.

My big recommendation would be decide on stick or auto before you go. The conversion between stick and auto on these trucks if kind of a pain and I wouldn't recommend it for a first time builder.

Engine swapping in these is a breeze so don't let that keep you from buying a truck.

Major rust spots to check:
Rear fenders
Floor pans
Door Jams
Below extended cab windows

Good luck and keep us posted. I'd love to see what you end up with.

 

forgot to mention, there are good transmissions available for the 80-86, both auto and stick. Personally, I'd get one with a stick. Sounds like this is gonna be a weekend toy and as long as you're not stuck in traffic, stick can be a lot more fun to play around in.

 

if you do decide you want an auto transmission get one with a c6 in it. Only thing bad about it is there is no o/d but it's tuff and can handle a lot of power. The mazda 5 speed is a fairly weak transmission and was in 88-96 trucks and was never offered with a 351w. Also decide if you want to go with carb. or efi.

 

Fordraceing,

Congratulations on getting home to the family business. And Thank you for your service.

Good idea asking for opinions. Remember though, all we're giving you is opinions. Ultimately, you'll decide what you want in the truck. STill think it's sounds like great fun.

Be sure to have a plan, written down, BEFORE you start. Here's a link to a site made by a guy up in Nebraska wrote up in building a Firebird. Granted, it's a GM build, but the procedures and such that he discusses can be applied to any brand.

http://speed.newcovenant.com/

Once you have your plan, then you can jump in and start your build with confidence. There's little in the project that can't be accomplished with a decent set of tools and a good manual. Having access to the books at the Ford Garage you work at will be a tremendous help. Also, pick the brains of the mechanics in your shop. Some of those guys should be able to point out little jewels of wisdom or things to look out for in whatever truck you're considering.

Have fun, and keep us posted.

 

Get a diesel. With a turbo.