I bought this truck almost 13 years ago when I lived up north and used the 4wd almost every winter. I've been in the south for a while now and don't see myself moving for at least a few more years. So here's what I'm thinking about getting.

73-79 1/2 ton
95 or 96 150
04 heritage

I want it in 2wd with manual tranny and A/C is a must. I know you can add power windows and locks to some older models and the 95/96 came with them depending on the trim level. I'd like to stick with the 4.9 or 5.0 in the older models. The 4.6 will be fine with the 04. The 73-79 will probaby be the easiest to work on and upgrade the motor.

When it comes to the 95/96, how much stuff is available for the 4.9 in terms of increasing power? I'm not looking for anything insane although another 50 to 100 HP would be nice. I've done some searching for a 5.0 with MT in a 95/96 and they seem to be hard to come by.

Any thoughts, ideas or opinions on what I should get?

 

Why just '95/'96? I'd take a '92-'95 over a '96 to get away from OBD2 emissions BS, and would prefer '92/'93 to not have to deal with an airbag.

http://www.fordsix.com/ would be good for your 4.9L questions, but 100hp is going to take money to get. Plus the M5OD-R2 starts to get unhappy over stock HP.

Everyone wants to DD the older 70s iron, till they do it for awhile. I've been runnin' my '71 to work and back every day for the year so far, and I'm ready to get my '88 Bronco back on the road because of it.

Adrianspeeder

 

I didn't think they changed anything from 95 to 96. I was thinking 95 or 96 so it would be a little newer and maybe have fewer miles. The airbag thing doesn't bother me. Maybe if I planned on doing some mods that involved the steering wheel, then I might go with a 92/93.

Any reason a bunch of 70s model owners not wanting to DD them after a while? Noise, comfort, fuel economy or something else?

I'll take a look at the website you listed. I had a 95 with the 4.9 and MT before I bought the 97. I could almost drive round trip from Spokane to Tacoma and back without getting gas.

 

The noise, with ole rattlin' and a little leaking in the rain doesn't bother me, but I am for sure a bigger fan of fuel injection over waiting for a carb to settle in after starting. Just don't have time myself to get around to doing an EFI swap. Lack of overdrive sucks too. Again, that could be fixed, but it is just something else to do.

Adrianspeeder

 

obd-2.

 

if this is your daily driver then new is always better.

personally if those are your choices i would keep what you had.

 

I probably would if it was 2wd with MT. I want something that is better on gas and isn't 4wd. It's a PITA to change the oil. This thing seems like it goes through ball joints and such quicker the older it gets. I'm thinking a 95 4.9 MT 2wd XLT or Eddie Bauer. I also have a car and swap between the two fairly often.