I have aqquired an 88 F-150 I-6 5spd 4X4. I currently have a 96' F-150 2wd I-6 5spd manual. I know that there are some differinces in the frames as far as structural members for strenght, But all of the measurements line up between the two. And as far as setting up the tranny and transfer case, well thats a cake walk.......... If anybody has any pros or cons please document, It would be much appreciated.....

 

this is easily done. go to 4wd sectin and look for "86 4wd conversion " or something like that. i have done this and there are replies in that thread from me and others who have done it.
there are other posts in that section and in suspension section.
you will have to watch for abs brakes on later model, and for brakes being different.

 

I started today and got the front end off of the 4x4 and probably gonna work on the tranny and transfer case tommorrow. With no furhter adoo, I probably gonna mount everything in the front end this weekend. Got new ball joints, tierods, seals, bearings and all that good money consuming stuff ordered today from napa. Hopefully I'll be driving it to work on monday, lookin like a 4x4. Then next week(I go back to work next week) I'll need to take a look at the differences between the ZF and M5OD as for as bolt ups go, and the cross members.

 

So are you saying that one of these F-150's is equipped from the factory with a ZF tranny? A few of us on here were wondering if this ever happened. Typically ZFs are only found in 250's on up.
Just curious.

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.

 

Yes sir, you are correct, this does have a factory ZF close ratio transmission in it. Didn't think so at first cause it said f-150 on the fenders, but after gettin under it, its got the diagnal webbing, and the part numbers match. Also, for some reason this truck was considered a heavy half, its got 4200pd springs under the rear. thats what whitman ford said.

 

I hope the 4x4 is the one with the ZF. If not, and you want to hang a transfer case on the ZF, you will have to change the rear case and the output shaft and a couple other odds and ends. If you need more info just yell and I can look over the schematics again.

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.

 

The 88' 4x4 is the one with the ZF in it. So that makes the swap even sweeter. Got all my parts this morning for the front end, and I'm about half way through it now. Its nice to have my work laptop out in the shop to look stuff up on the net. I just have to watch using dirty fingers.