Hello, new here and looking for some advice. I've got 3 f-150s. 1st is my daily driver, 83 XLT long bed 4wd, 3 speed trans, 302. Great truck but the rear end makes her slow as Christmas, and she is getting rusty, especially the bed. Frame is still pretty good.

Next is my 89 XLT lariat short bed 4wd 4speed manual w/od 302 efi. I used to call this my 4wd mustang. I don't think it is the original motor, and my mechanic buddy said it has a 351 cam, because of the firing order. This was a project truck probably 10 years ago, but life and family got in the way and it just sat b4 I could put much money n it.

Next, I just got a 92 XLT long bed 2wd 302 EFI. It was a friend's, and he had a heart attack, and ran a tree dead center. Ruined the front clip and radiator, but still runs and sounds good. Body in pristine condition.

So I'm trying to figure how I should make these 3 into 2. The 89 really needs nothing, but I like a long bed for work, and could swap the front/rear end onto one of the long beds. The real question is which long bed to keep. Should I make the 2wd into 4, and get a new front clip, or swap the 92 cab and bed onto the 83, along with the 89 front/rear. I'd keep the 92 dash, I'm looking forward to new seat, power windows, and wipers with more than 2 settings!

I know it's alot to consider. I'm not a big mechanic guy, but I can do all of it. Just wanted to see what some educated Ford guys would do with what I've got.

 

Aside from looking odd, I think most of the front clips are more or less interchangeable enough to still be able to operate the doors and hood anyhow. I take that 4WD is a no compromise point, otherwise I'd say pick up a proper 92ish front clip with the core support & put it back right. If 4wd is more a hobby than a way of life, fix up the "Mustang" and use it for that. Retire the 83.

 

Sell 2 and fix one.
If you're using a truck for a donor vehicle it should be the same year/ model or at least the same generation.
It sounds like you would save money by building a frankenstein from several different generations but in the end it's just a lot of extra work and expense.

 

From what I've read most parts should be interchangeable. Looks aren't a big deal to me. The long bed will be my work truck, and 4wd is a necessity for that, and the stronger rear end would be much better too, I'm in construction. The 89 I plan on selling once I get done with whatever I decide to do. The only thing that bothers me with fixing the 92, is it has 200k on the motor. The 83 was rebuilt about 100k ago, and I like working on that motor a lot more, because it is so easy

 

Time is a factor also. I have access to a short bed Chevy while I'm doing this, but it won't be easy to haul 16' boards on it.

 

How about a full size ladder rack? You can haul at least 2' longer than the overall length of the truck

 

ive got one on my 8' bed, but it wont work on the Chevy that I'm gonna borrow

 

Well, I think I've decided to fix up the 92 and convert it to 4wd. Next step is to figure out what to do for transfer case/transmission. It has the e4od trans that won't mate with either of my transfer cases. My 83 has the np208, not sure of the 89. From what I've read the 2wd e4od has a longer output shaft than the 4wd models. Not sure if I can get an adapter and just trim the shaft, or if the adapter will even work on the np208. I've also got access to a 2002 Ford f150 parts truck (my mom's), and I read the it probably has an e4od also, so might be able to Frankenstein something together. I know it would be easier to buy a truck with the things I want, but I like doing things like this, reclaiming, recycling, and reusing is what I do. Plus I'm building a house on tight budget (very extensive remodel with lots of reclaimed wood I got paid to remove), and a new truck isn't in my plans for at least 7 or 8 years. I've got to do something, as currently I have 3/4 plywood in my bed to keep from losing things through the holes