Hi Iam a newbie. I will be getting a 1989 2wd f150 next week it is a 5.0 5speed short bed. The motor is bad so Iam need a new motor. Should I put a 5.0 back in or a 5.8 or bigger. What size rear come with these trucks and can I change them with other trucks or cars. Can I change the bench seat for buckets and if I can what years can I use. Can I change the front end with later model trucks to update the look. I know I have a lot of questions but Iam new to trucks Iam use to playing with mustangs. Thanks for any help.

 

Its always easier to replace the engine with whats in there now. A 5.8 will fit but some things are different since that engine is slightly taller and wider. The choice of which to use is dependent on what the truck is going to be doing. The 351 is more powerful and a better choice if hauling but it will use more gas. If your 5 Speed is a Mazda m5od it might not live long behind the 351. It might be possible to fix your engine in the truck.

There is a vehicle information tag on the drivers door jamb that have the axle and transmission codes for your truck.

Front sheetmetal changes can be done between the 80-86, 87-91, and the 92-96 but there are some differences.

Seat swaps are common between Ford models but may involve some drilling and fab work

All of the above has been done by previous posters and some of those have posted detailed write ups on this and other Ford sites. A search will provide hours of reading.

Welcome to the forum
rikard

 

Thanks Rikard this seems like it will be fun.

 

I'd go with a 5.8 over a 5.0. I have the 5.0 in my truck and hate it. The 5.8 should get close to the same mileage as the 5.0 because it has more low-end and will get the truck moving faster. A modded 5.0 would be ok too, especially if you got a short wheelbase. The truck motors are slightly different than the 5.0 Mustangs though, so you gotta watch what mods you try do.

You can somewhat easily upgrade the front clip to a 9th gen. Just need the fenders, core-support, hood, grille and headlights, and i think the cowl panel is different.

 

What year is a 9th gen? and if I go with a 5.8 do I need the computer for that motor. What mods can I do and what mods won't work.

 

9th Gen is '92-96. Yes, you would need the computer. That's not that big a deal though, they're easy enough to get. I'm not an expert on the mods, but I know that a Speed Density system only supports a mild cam and maybe a little intake work. If you had Mass Air, you could do alot more mods and the computer would compensate.

 

Thanks KentuckyCountryBoy

 

You're welcome. Glad I could help.

 

What years did mass air start and do I have to get the wiring harness in order to change over to mass air.

 

Mass Air started in F-150s in I think '94. It's been in Mustangs longer though, my buddy has an '88 Mustang with MAF. You could get a mustang computer and harness if you wanted since you got a 5-speed. Just search for threads on the subject on here, there's a million of them.