'96 F150 5.8 Auto Extended cab vs. '96 Chevy 1500 5.7 auto Extended cab

[CZ Eddie]

Hey folks,

So I'm seriously considering my next vehicle and after exhaustive research I've narrowed it down to a couple choices.
You might ask me "why these years/models" but the explanation is kind of weird and not really very interesting.

So I want either:

• 1996 F150 5.8L with auto and extended cab ('96 for the MAF).
• '96-'98 Chevy 1500 5.7L with auto and extended cab.

I've ruled out earlier/later model Chevy's.
And I've done the same with the F150.

I'm not a Ford vs Chevy guy.
I'm just hoping for some practical opinions between the two trucks I've mentioned above.
Not interested in fan-boy opinions. Just real honest opinions.

What do I want from the truck?
I drive maybe 5-7k miles a year (seriously) and it's 99% in the city.
But I'm a DIY'er so I like the idea of a bed for tools & lumber.
And my two huge dogs want the bed too, so they can go places with me without their fur shedding all over the cabin.
I plan to lift either truck just a bit so I can hang out with my Jeep'n Cousin once in a while on some light/medium trails.

And someday in a couple years I plan to mod the heck out of the engine.
To get upwards of 400 rwhp I hope.
Just because I like that sort of thing.
Which is why I want factory MAF (not spliced BS).

And I plan to keep the truck for 20 years.

-Eddie

Here's the same thread over on a Ford forum in case anyone is interested:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post17990711

[flashed]

Both are good trucks , I just bought a 97 4x4 2500 with 64,000 miles on it like new so Im no help to you but I think either one would be great .

[buffydores]

The Vortec 5.7 uses poppets instead of fuel injectors. It'd be harder to get to your power goals with that factory intake manifold. TBI engines or LS engines are easier to work on. I'd stick with the 95' or older or '99 and up.

[95 S_Trucker]

Originally Posted by buffydores

The Vortec 5.7 uses poppets instead of fuel injectors. It'd be harder to get to your power goals with that factory intake manifold. TBI engines or LS engines are easier to work on. I'd stick with the 95' or older or '99 and up.

400Hp is about impossible out of a TBI. They are extremely hard to tune properly when making power.

You can get really close to that with the vortec, there are upgraded spiders available(that use injectors at the end instead of the poppet valve).





OP

Are you looking at 4wd or 2wd?

The 4wd setup on the ford is downright terrible. I am not a fan of the twin I beam attempt on the 4wd setups.

The GM has real independent suspension that isn't garbage.

The GM trucks of the area get a little rusty. The fords rust a lot more.

One thing I do like about the ford is the dual tank option. That wasn't available from GM unless you got a C&C truck. But the tanks do rust out on the fords.



I have chevy trucks, I have a dodge caravan, and I have a ford focus, so I'm not 100% tied down with chevy, but chevy made a lot better truck than ford did in 96.

[speedygonzales]

I'm sorry but I have lived with my sorry ass Vortec for 20 years now and I can tell you you won't get there from here.
Vortec 5.7 in that year were rated at 255HP. You will not get to 400 with that engine unless you either change the internals AND use a port fuel injected intake such as the RamJet intake (which is Vortec bolt pattern). OR you put some sort of power adder like a blower or turbo charger on it. The fuel/intake system standard on those engines tops out near 400HP and are riddled with problems. Let's not forget the fuel delivery would need to be stepped up as well which is not easy on a Vortec setup.

However, the internals, having several thousand miles on them, will not hold up to that if they aren't changed. If you're thinking of changing a cam in old engine, forget that too.

If you want to get to your goal (not sure why you'd want to in a truck) then your best way to get there would be a crate engine. Now depending on how you intend to register it AND your state's inspection standards, it's possible that might not work. Obviously if your state doesn't do inspections, you're good to go.

An example of why that won't work is here in VA we have state inspections. If any SES lights are on OR don't work, you fail inspection. If the engine is swapped out, the PCM probably WON'T work with the new engine. Therefore the PCM will set a SES light. If we register a vehicle as antique (25 years old or more) than we don't have to do inspection. However we are not supposed to use a "antique tagged" vehicle for daily use.

Also keep in mind that most trucks of that year came with a 4L60E and that unit is good for +- 300HP tops. That would also have to be addressed.

[CZ Eddie]

Thank you folks.

I've moved on.

Started thinking about my dogs and how I love to take them on trips with me.
A pair of 80lb shed monsters and a 20lb couch spud.
I decided to go with a Bronco with its roll-down rear window.
They'll be safer hanging out in the back of the SUV, especially when I leave them alone for ~10 minutes and shop.
I'd of course have the engine running & AC cranking (with security alarm/gas cutout enabled).
I can get away with that in my safe part of Austin.

Of course I may change my mind again but right now I'm fairly set.
Wish the older Chevy versions had electric roll-down rear windows too.

[Dieselburb86]

You'd have to go with a 91 k5 blazer or older to have the electric rear window! Broncos are just as cool though!