I've been looking for a 2wd F150, just to do some occasional hauling. Beginning to wonder if anybody ever sells them

Anyway, I pretty much want a manual with the 4.9. Rarer yet! I checked Autozone for various years -- and they showed basically zero sixes ( They have an engine size percentage ).

Then I went to Edmunds, and they said that the 6 was the base engine.

So, what do you guys think? Are there a lot of sixes, or is it mostly 5 liters?

Thanks,

ford2go

 

About all I ever see is 4.9s, they're not that good on gas though. They will get anywhere from 9 to17 mpg.

 

I used to have a 302 and now I have the inline six. I think the availability depends on what else you're looking for. My 302 had auto/overdrive, air and cruise. And only one fuel tank. Had it about a year. Long enough to figure out what I wanted in my next truck. The six is a standard with no options at all except for the 2nd fuel tank. A nice clean work truck.

I didn't see a huge improvement in fuel economy. I didn't expect it either the internal displacement is the same. I think it's the longer stroke of the six cylinders gives that motor torque over horsepower so it's a question of what you want in a truck. Personally if I wanted to go fast I would get a Mustang with a 302 and go fast. I don't think trucks are made to go fast. They're built to move stuff and go over rough terrain. And I rarely go over 60mph.

I wanted the six mainly for it's simplicity. I need a truck that's reliable and easy to work on. I've got a 93, regular cab, long box, dual tanks. Powered by a straight six and a 5 speed. I can get under there to change a starter without jacking it up, and everything is easy to reach.

I can get close to 18 mpg if I keep it in fifth. But the front end still needs a little work so I'm sure those numbers could improve. When I'm climbing long hills and need to use the lower gears or pushing the truck into a good wind then my fuel economy drops quite a bit and going around town it's a real pig. But it makes me money. I've been using the truck for moving and landscaping jobs. It took me a couple weeks to iron out all the kinks but now she runs like a champ and I'm in business.

 

ive got a 89 with a 4.9 with a 4 speed. its got alost 200k on it and not long ago i pulled a 58 cadillac with 4 flat locked up tires down the road. i also use it fora daily driver and it does decent on gas. but id say if you can get one definetly go for it.

 

I think there are lots of 4.9's around. Mine is the Lariat XLT so it is pretty well equiped. Has nearly 200,000 on it and still goes well. It is not good on gas, but I love driving it. Gets about 13 mpg.
Frank

 

I would guess that they probably made about the same amount of 300 I-6s as they did 302 V8s. However, the 302 V8s seem much more prevalent when looking for a used truck from this era. There are probably alot more 302s on the market because the 300s last longer and are more fuel-efficient, so owners are less likely to sell them. My 92 with a 302 V8 and manual trans gets 14mpg highway/10 mpg city. My wife's 92 with a 300 I-6 and manual trans gets 22 mpg mighway/ 15 mpg city.

 

All things being equal, there isn't going to be a lot of difference in gas mileage between the 302 and the 300. Anywhere between about 13 and 17 combined is realistic. There should be plenty of 300's around with manual transmissions. After 1988, most of them are going to be 5 speeds, but you may find a few with a T18.

 

My 94 Has 331,000 on an I6 and still get about 17-19 on the road. Its a real pleasure to drive and has tons of pulling power. I'd rather have the I6 then the 302. The I6 is a truck engine. Had an 84 before this one that got totaled in an accident. I'd still be driving that one if I still had it. These 300's just run forever if you do regular maintenance.

 

My 300 is a extended cab longbox 4x4 with 3.55 gears and stock sized tires on average i get about 17-18. There has yet to be a load i couldnt pull with the truck but the front end is showing signs of wear at 160k miles. I wouldnt even think about trading it for a new truck any day.

 

its a darn good truck except for the gas milaege think i was able to grab mine from a construction company for 2600 its a 96 and runs great check around for any construction companys that have trucks for sell they may have been beeter but they aint hard to fix

 

I've had my 4.9L with the E40D for 10 years, and I love it.
Got 121,000 on it. Would like to drive it till it has 200 something.

 

ive got one i also rebuilt it too. its run great and ive had no problems with it once so ever. my truck has all the options offered in 89, including dual shocks up font, sway bars, power everything, 5 speed, ac( i took that out), cruise control, dual tanks, sliding rear window, auto hubs(converted to manual now), and so on. before i rebuilt my engine i beat the living pants off of it. now im just taking it easy and letting the bearings and such seat themselves for a couple of thousand miles. i think they are about even with the 302's as far as how common they are in these trucks. i haven't seen too many 351's around here though

 

frankenford, I like your truck, man that engine is way cool looking.

 

I got an Eddie Bauer six. They weren't all plaine jane's; mines loaded. Five speed too! It's 2wd with 3.55 gears, great for work, great for cruising. I'd rather drive my truck than my dad's '04... manual windows suck!

 

I love the 4.9's, 300ci. They have a lot of torque. I like them better than the 302's. I have a 89 5-spd 4x4 XL. In a couple of miles ahead I'll be on 300 k miles!!! My Dad has a 78 3-spd 4.9 and just loves his. Also, one of my friends has a 83-4-spd. Very common Everybody I talk to says they are easy to work on, but you don't have to do much to them. You can't go wrong with a strait six. Just look at the pistons sometime. "They're the size of paint cans"

I do have a 89-f150 302 auto (lariot) that I couldn't sell. Most people want the 300ci. So now I just use both trucks. My 300ci is just for the hauling.