'96 F1fifty

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Since someone suggested it, and I don't like the ford forums I'll start my doc thread here.
Nearly 2 years ago, my wife decided that I should get a dd and stop running my sub to work everyday. After looking for a small truck that was decent on fuel and not beat to death, we decided on a 1996 F150 that a friends of hers had.
In my opinion it has the best drivetrain ford could have for a daily driver. A 300 inline 6 and the Mazda m50d2 5 speed. This truck is an XL, so vinyl floors and rear seat, cloth bench, A/C and 2wd.



It had some Chinese 28/29 inch tall tires on it that handled awful and it revved way to high on the highway. The 3:55 rear gears def didn't help. The first thing I did was find a set of cooper 31 10.5 tires, that really helped lower the rpm quite a bit.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

As we built our tiny house, the truck got used as a truck hauling lots of supplies and still running to work and back.



During the end off building our house I finally hit my breaking point with the suburban and decided to part ways with it.

I'm also incapable of not messing with every vehicle I own, so when my tons sold, we loaded up and drove to central alabama to buy a m5r2 mated to a bw1356 manual tcase, and a ttb front end.



After 3 rounds of degreasing and pressure washing I finally got most of the red clay off off the parts.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

So after much discussion, we came up with the realization that we did not need a built 4x4 like the suburban was, but rather a mild built truck for simple camping duties or running down to the river to swim, and the truck be capable of running lots of highway miles comfortably.
My first thought was a c&t front end on long radius arms with coil overs, and a deaver sprung rear end with a bed cage and 2.5's.

Unfortunatly my budget was foa shocks and I couldn't bring myself to order them and have to deal with the leaks and other foa issues.

The next plan was to c&t my beams, do procomp coils and a decent shock, with deaver's in the back and a decent shock under the bed.

While deciding on my plan I did throw the stock 4x4 front end under it.







Much better sitting level.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Browsing marketplace a couple weeks ago, I stumbled across a extended radius arm superlift lift kit, I went back and forth about it, mostly because I didn't want to do drop brackets.
After much deliberation I realized i probably don't need a "hardcore" ttb setup, being as the truck will spend 95% of its life on road, and the rest on dirt camping.

The lift kit ended up being all complete, front and rear. And new in box with the manufacture date being 06 and 07 of 1994... so older than the truck.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

As of now the plan is to get the lift on, throw together a tube bumper for the front and a aluminum skid plate. Get a set of 4x4 spring hangers and use the lift springs out back.
A set of bilstien shocks all around and swap the trans/ tcase in and get a rear dshaft built.
A set of factory aluminum wheels and 33 12.5 tires.

This past week I swapped in a set of 2011 Silverado seats to get rid of the worn out bench and get cupholders.

 

[centexk5]

Always loved that body style ford.

 

[Big Ray]

300 6, dodge slant 6, chevy 6, AMC 4.0 and 4.2l, all hard to kill.
Great motors!

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

They really are a good engine, as long as you realize it's all in by 3k and they don't like to rev for long periods

 

[nvrenuf]

I’m diggin it! What’s the lift - 4” or 6” ? What gears are in the front axle?

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

4 inch springs, its 3:55 like the rear

 

[nvrenuf]

5.13’s and 38’s are still reasonable, you have o/d.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Lol, and tons!

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

I got a bit bored between side jobs and threw the lift under it.



Looks so tall, but it's only 6 inches taller than a stock 2wd.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

So many color options!

 

[AJMBLAZER]

We all remember the days of half tons on 38” Swampers with 16 shocks and everything was neon and chrome.

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

We all remember the days of half tons on 38” Swampers with 16 shocks and everything was neon and chrome.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Ran over to Florida last weekend to pick up a driveshaft that "should" fit. There is no info online that I could find on the proper length for a m5od2/bw1356 rear shaft length.
I had to take 2.5 inches out of the shaft and in it went. Changed all the ujoint's out and now I've got 4wd and a non bluetooth front drive shaft. Just need to pick up a bezel/boot for the floor. Also had to take an inch out of the shifter, pre 92 had a much shallower dash.

 

[nvrenuf]

Cool, this project is shaping up nicely! I can’t wait until you get a bigger set of tires on it, it’s going to look good.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

It should look really good on 33's. Just need someone to come by my 38's

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Threw a set of 35x12.5x17 tires from market place on. Drives decent with 3:55 gears and 35's. Found out this morning if there is any moisture on the road it will break em loose in 2nd going thru an intersection