slave cylinder

Have you ever done a swap? You say you hate doing elect to go efi like youve done it before. Why not just sell the 83 for 1k, save up 2k and buy a decent fox with a 5.0. Save some money and you and your dad a headache.

Dosent 4cyl fox bodies have a 7.5" rear too, and that t-5 in the 4cyl wont bolt right up to a 5.0
 
If you get a pilot bearing for a mid 80s diesel ranger the T5 will work fine. The v8 swap will be just as hard either way, you still have to mess with getting the correct wiring harnesses. You'll never learn anything if you say everything is too hard before you even attempt to try it.