The f150 uses a non-HO motor with different firing order than the HO. You can put an HO motor in there, but you'll have to use all the accessories and wiring from the pickup and change the firing order to an HO. Another option to look into would be the explorer 5.0's, they come with the gt40(1996) or the gt40p's(mid97-2000). I'm getting a motor out of a 1997 explorer with the gt40p's for my truck (1990 f150) it has 76k miles complete for $450. I don't know if you can find a deal like that, but it's something to look into.