Have you got any plans for the engine? I know it's only a six at the moment, but whenever I see an F-150 of that age, my first thought for inspiration is always this:
I'm not sure the direction I want right yet since I want to beef up the frame and suspension first before putting down any serious power. I was considering a shackle flip, F250 springs and full traction bars, bolted to the fram rails itself. I do get excessive wheel hop if I gun it coming out if a corner, so that should eliminate most of it.
I was initially thinking about converting to carb and ditching the, quite frankly, terribly limited speed density type EFI system, and running a 7.3L power stroke turbo with a blow through carb system. However 6 cyl go fast parts are very expensive and in the long run a V8 swap would be a more viable option. And considering I get the gas mileage of a small block V8 as it is, there's really no downside. I'd be much better off as far as aftermarket support goes.
However I am very seriously considering a 351W swap as it is a direct bolt in, having done it with Dads 85. We still have left over parts that would work. If I go V8 swap it will be all done up and N/A built on a stand before going in. This is all way down the road, providing I keep it. I just might, but if I do, expect a 80-86 body swap in the future as well.
There are parts out there to hop up the 6 if he wanted to retain it down the road. IIRC, there was a team that successfully campaigned a car with a 300 I6 in the NHRA for years, but it would probably be easier for him to build a Windsor or a 385 series big block for it.
Windsor would ulmately be easier. I wouldn't have to get anew trans, and the only major obstacle is motor mounts and a v8 radiator. Ignition would be considered an issue except you can get a complete system for under $500 to run standalone by killswitch. Its what dad did to his even wen he was running a Duraspark II system. Its now fully MSD with the exception of the shaft, cap and rotor. The shaft itself is the only stock part in it, and even that came out of a 1970 Mustang.
This is an OBD-I truck, right?
Yes, and I am emissions exempt.