1996 Ford F150 4.9L (300ci) I6 5MT 4x4

[Domman56]

how hard is it to switch it to 2wd? that would save quite a bit of weight and fuel. may also ride better with independent front suspension

[Christ]

It would be a matter of getting the parts and changing some hangers on the frame. Not really interested in converting it to 2WD, though.

It already is IFS, and the "ride" feel doesn't bother me. If I bought a lumber wagon, I wouldn't expect it to ride like a Cadillac. (I hate the way older soft suspension setups feel anyway. I prefer feedback.)

[Christ]

I checked the coolant level yesterday... it was about a quart low.

Unfortunately, I never checked it before driving the truck home, so if there's a leak somewhere, I'll have to find it and address it. As spring approaches, I'll flush the coolant with a detergent flush and install new coolant/water.

It has A/C, not sure if I'll leave it in there or not.

[Domman56]

Originally Posted by Christ

It would be a matter of getting the parts and changing some hangers on the frame. Not really interested in converting it to 2WD, though.

It already is IFS, and the "ride" feel doesn't bother me. If I bought a lumber wagon, I wouldn't expect it to ride like a Cadillac. (I hate the way older soft suspension setups feel anyway. I prefer feedback.)

Wow i wasn't aware those fords had IFS on the 4WD twin I beam I'm guessing. So what are your goals to do to it to get 30 MPG then?

[Domman56]

Originally Posted by Christ

I checked the coolant level yesterday... it was about a quart low.

Unfortunately, I never checked it before driving the truck home, so if there's a leak somewhere, I'll have to find it and address it. As spring approaches, I'll flush the coolant with a detergent flush and install new coolant/water.

It has A/C, not sure if I'll leave it in there or not.

MOst likely lower radiator hose those F2's tend to have that problem regularlly Probably cause of the last owner just not maintainig the fluid changes and intervals

[Christ]

LOL - the 30MPG thing was a joke. If it ever gets there, it probably won't be on gasoline.

I'm just gonna work on it so that my profit margin while using the truck as a truck (hauling stuff for people, etc) is higher.

The better my mileage is, the more money I make in profit that doesn't have to be spent as fuel expenses.

You'll love this - I have to do the exhaust, so I'm probably going to put a turbo muffler on it.

For the intake, I'm going to use my heater core idea in the filter box and see if I can make it work. I'm not too sure about the variable control circuit, or how to build it, but I'm sure someone on here can help with that.

As I do actual work on it, maybe I'll detail each part in it's own thread, and add links and a summary to this thread for reference.

[Domman56]

Originally Posted by Christ

LOL - the 30MPG thing was a joke. If it ever gets there, it probably won't be on gasoline.

I'm just gonna work on it so that my profit margin while using the truck as a truck (hauling stuff for people, etc) is higher.

The better my mileage is, the more money I make in profit that doesn't have to be spent as fuel expenses.

You'll love this - I have to do the exhaust, so I'm probably going to put a turbo muffler on it.

For the intake, I'm going to use my heater core idea in the filter box and see if I can make it work. I'm not too sure about the variable control circuit, or how to build it, but I'm sure someone on here can help with that.

As I do actual work on it, I'll detail each part in it's own thread, and add links and a summary to this thread for reference.

Haha nice May i make a suggestion for a Flowsound 2 chamber muffler 40 buuucks with free shipping from Ebay

I'm interested in the intake idea Post A-B-A results will you?

[Christ]

You'd have a heart attack if you saw the coolant setup on the mountain truck... it's got exhaust pipe in it, and a radiator from... well... your guess is as good as mine.

[Domman56]

haha yeah i know my buddy used to have one of those 300 I6's and that was the problem with it I had a 460Cu In work truck at my last job and it had the same problem with the lower radiator hose Lotsa work

[Christ]

Pumped the tires up.

FL - 23lbs
FR - 13lbs
RL - 34lbs
RR - 35lbs

Put them all to 42, sidewall max is 50, but compressor was overheating getting them up that high.

Checked front bearings, no hub movement that was discernible by hand. Front axle shaft on passenger side is REALLY loose, though, and I don't know why.

Tied exhaust back up with wire for now, going to have to change parts of the exhaust eventually, just want to get it through inspection so I can get working with it and make some money.

Picked up a hitch at the JY this weekend, but it doesn't "go to" the F150. Going to have to make some plates to mount it up, but the mounting location/method I'm going to use is stronger than flange-mount anyway, so I'll have a better "cushion zone" with respect to tongue weight and load capacity.

Fuel leak. Great. Add this into the random not-FE things I've been doing to "test" the truck lately, and I'm looking at ~5MPG average. That doesn't mean I burned that much fuel, but burned/leaked it.

The spec for the truck shows
Power: 108 kW , 145 HP @ 3,400 rpm;
Torque: 265 ft lb @ 2,000 rpm

I cruise 60 MPH at nearly my torque peak. I think longer gears are definitely going to be necessary to take advantage of the torque range of this engine for towing/hauling as well as good economy numbers, so the 3.08 rear is a must have at this point.

Driving, it just seems like I'm shifting too often to be efficient. This engine will continue to pull all the way down to 1,000 RPM in 5th gear @ WOT without bucking/shaking/lugging. Much lower than that, and you get resonant noise, but still nothing uncomfortable until you get to ~750RPM (idle).

I think once I get everything squared away and loosened up, this truck will be a great candidate for an economical towing/hauling tank.

If anyone has a BSFC map or a dyno sheet for a stock 4.9L from 1987-1996 (FI engine), that would be awesome!