I'm buying a '95 this week with the 4.9 and was wondering if it was a nightmare to swap out the 6 for an 8. Most of the time the 6 will be fine enough as it will be a work truck for building supplies, but I also would like to be able to tow a trailer and my Vette to the track if possible. (about a 4500 lb car/trailer combo)

Issues of concern are:

1. Cross member issues?
2. Will the manual tranny hold up?
3. Suspension changes needed to support extra weight?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Scott

 

That 300 cube inline 6 is considered a VERY STRONG engine.
I know folks that call it the "gasoline diesel" because it pulls so good.
I will tell you now that I have the 302 v8 and it doesn't pull good.

 

If you're going to tow, keep the 300. That's what it's designed for.

 

I'll certainly keep it through the Winter, but if it's that good for light towing, then I guess I'll hang onto it.
Maybe I'll need to upgrade the springs?
Thanks for the responses so far.
Scott

 

The 300 and the 302 make just about the same peak torque but the 300 makes it at about 2000 RPM and the 302 at about 2600.

That manual tranny is a Mazdog M5OD and it is by far the weakest link in your powertrain

 

The 4.9L is an Inline-6 (I6); not a V6. That's why it's so torquey. V6s suck at everything.

Some 4.9Ls came with the ZF, which is the most desirable stick. Check the TRANS code on your door sticker.

BTW
I've towed over 10,000lbs with mine on the highway. Almost twice that for a few hundred feet.

 

Duh.... I remember seeing it on the lot and I thought the inline was an interesting deal.
Still wish it had the 5.8 option, but it is a great deal.
95 with 48k on it and the Eddie Bauer package and painted cap. I can't find a single scratch on this truck.
My buddy at the dealer got it from his friend who is 70 now and can't do the stick anymore.
He only used it for lugging stuff around on his farm.
Sold it to me for $4k.
Scott

 

I'll check the tranny code when I pick it up next week. Probably the weaker one....
Scott

 

The two boxes are visibly very different.
The reinforcing ribs on the Mazda tranny case are all either vertical or horizontal. The larger, stronger, heavier duty (and rarer in F150s) ZF has mostly diagonal reinforcing ribs on its case.