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- 1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum37/)

- - 1985 F150 Build (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1532058-1985-f150-build.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booomer27 (Post 17860724)

Guys, just looking for some advice, recommendations, and some guidance as all this is new to me. I have modified a lot on the diesel side but gassers and this era is new. The truck in question is a 1985 F150 2wd reg cab long bed with the inline 6 and 4 speed manual which I acquired 6 months ago with 58,000 miles. I have been daily driving the truck with no issues to date. I know to most this isn't the most preferable body style, but to me for some reason I dig it. Now I want to slowly start acquiring parts to make this thing into a nice daily with around 350-400hp. I have some money tucked away for this but do not have a no ceiling budget. I have done some digging but need your help on basics.

Engine - Would love to coyote swap it but realistically out of the question. What would you recommend, of course v8 wise that wouldn't break the bank and would not take to much modification to fit. I am not afraid to wrench but fabrication wise I am not the best. Also not afraid to pay a shop for some of the tasks I cant handle.

Assuming you don't want to try to mod the 300 (coming from a 6 cyl fan, it would be fairly expensive to reach 350+ HP), and you'd like to keep the Windsor style bell housing, a 393 (a 351 stroker with 302 pistons) will do nicely, and 1 HP per CI is fairly easy without any difficult mods. You would also be able to keep your stock 4 speed, but if it's a granny gear, it won't be a quick or fun shifter, and if it's the 4 speed w/OD, it likely won't last too long behind the stroker (see below)

Transmission - would like to stick to a manual.

The easiest option if you go with the Windsor stroker will be a built Tremec of some sort, someone recently did a T5 or TKO swap on a 460 build I believe

Suspension - Have seen a ton of the crown vic IFS swapped into 67-72 f100 will that work for this truck.

In another thread, someone else has been doing an entire CV drivetrain swap, another option if you want a more modern driveline.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...wap-4-6-a.html

Rear end - No idea here.

Your stock rear should easily be able to stand up to 400 WHP; you'll either have (likely) an 8.8" (bolts on the back of the axle) or a 9" (studs visible on front of axle/removable pumpkin). The 9" does have a larger aftermarket following, but I believe the 8.8" is closing in on it.

Odd and ends - Other recommendations.

Appreciate the help.

Responses are above in red, happy building!

Talk to monkey-1 about a Crown Vic suspension swap, he has a thread on that topic:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...wap-4-6-a.html

As mentioned above, we are doing a CV swap, along with the 4.6/4R75 trans in my dads 1985 F150. The CV swap is completely doable on these trucks even though I have read several other places that it wont fit. IT WILL FIT! It is more work than the older trucks, but is completely doable. As mentioned, we are using the motor and trans as well. This is the 2 valve model of the 4.6 and the bottom end it good for about 400 horses. This is basically the same motor that was used in the first 4.6 Mustangs and there are plenty if go fast parts that will bolt on (turbos, superchargers, intakes, exhaust) that will meet your goals. I too would LOVE to have a Coyote and the 400+ HP they provide, but they are still so expensive to swap and therefore out of my current budget. For the rear end, we swapped in a Ford 8.8 out of a 1998-2002 Crown Vic as it is the same width as the one that came out of the truck. This gave us the matching bolt pattern as the front and rear disc brakes. Looking back, it would have been a better option to re-drill the axles to match (or replace) and add disc brakes. Swapping to the rear end we did (out of a car), the chunk is centered where the 8.8 out of the truck is offset and this caused an interference issue with our side tank. Nothing too big to solve, but we did have to make a change. Also, the 8.8 out of a truck may be 31 spline, where this one out of the car is 28-plenty strong for what he will do with this truck. If swapping to a later model motor is what you wind up doing, call Hot Wire Auto in Mena Arkansas and talk to Chris. He can make you a plug and play harness that will make the swap much easier. If you have any questions, let me know.