I've had several 87-96s over the years still have a 96 and a 99. I prefer the older ones. 318 no worse on fuel than 6 cylinder, but much more get up and go...…
more power, same gas mileage makes for no brainer. my favorite was my 93 club cab with 318, got with bad trans and converted to a 5 speed.... 20+MPG "when I tried," and 18-1/2 most of the rest of the time, in combo highway/in town driving..... only got rid of because it was wrecked horribly, still ran awesome at that time with over 200k on it.....
current daily (70 miles a day) is a 96 318 club cab 4wd.... 214k miles and climbing fast...… pull my popup all over with it, too.....
the 99 with its 3.9, said "HELP ME/ NEED MORE POWER," the one time I used it to go camping with..
have also had a 90 longbed with a (pre magnum) 3.9, and a 94 reg cab shortbed with a 3.9.......… all the rest have been 318s. Wouldn't have one any other way. 3.9 or 318.
. as has been said/ stay away from 4.7.