I'm getting ready to buy a truck. I'd like a regular cab half-ton. I've narrowed it down to the 88-98 C/K series and the 80-96 Ford F-150 4x4. I have some questions though...

   I've seen many F-150 4x4's with 4.9L's and 3.08 gears. Is it hard or expensive to find a 4x4 with better gear ratios and/or V8's? I aslo know this was the last Ford to use solid axles. Since solid axle 4x4's are cheaper to lift and give better suspension flex, could this be a good investment? Any advice from 80-96 F-150 4x4 owners would be greatly appreciated.

I'm also interested in a K1500 if I don't have to pay more for it than a good 80-96 Ford. Can I find a K1500 with better gear ratios and more power for the same price or cheaper than the Ford?

If both are expensive I'll settle for a C1500, I know they're cheap.