Choosing a tow rig.

[crawlin91]

Im looking for a tow rig. lots of 80's Ford 150 and F250s around here for sale.

Id like to spend less than $2000.

Plan on trailering either my BII or Ranger

Which engine would be best for towing and what else should I look for?

 

[Jason]

Diesel and 8 lug wheels on the 250's which would, IIRC, indicate the heavier axles. The 300 (or 4.9 for those metrically inclined) also pull quite well. Better than the 302 IMHO.

 

[Will]

I'd definatley find a 460 if I lived in Colorado. Mountains will kick the butt of anything smaller.

 

[crawlin91]

I'd definatley find a 460 if I lived in Colorado. Mountains will kick the butt of anything smaller.

yeah I figure those steep grades would really give me trouble. I know the 2.9l ranger doesnt like em much.

checked craigslist for 460s and found some nice ones. I'll probably be selling or parting one of my rbvs to pay for it. Dont have room for 3 vehicles and a trailer. the addiction continues...................

I also found an 85 one ton van for 300 that could very well be my axle donor for the trail rig.

 

[BeaterMan]

a 460 would be nice at this altitude but i would try and get one that is fuel injected, our old 86 f250 plow truck has a carbed 460 and its just a nightmare with all the emission crap under the hood and not to mention the beast gets horrible fuel economy. a smaller engine might do what you need just mite take a lil longer.- a buddy of mine has an old 80' f350 flatbed dully with a 351m in it and the other week we hauled a bobcat and alot of swimming pool panels and liners up over vail pass and it made it but struggled some- alot less then i thought i would have.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The 351W 4bbl H.O was a strong engine, stay away from the 302. The 300 will more then do the job just dont get in much of a hurry with a heavy load.

later,
Dustin

 

[strvger]

definitely go with FI at that altitude. after that, motor with a good torque curve (not too high in the rpm's) and then axle gears to get the most out of everything. personally i prefer a manual so i can choose the gear rather than having an automatic shifting around trying to find which gear it wants. and no cooling issues with it compared with the auto. just my $.02.

 

[crawlin91]

Thanks for the comments guys anything else you can think of post it up.

What year did ford begin using FI in these trucks.(300,460 etc.) I prefer a manuals as well and not only for the reasons that you listed.

yeah I dont need to run balls out all the time in a tow rig but having the power to take on the hills is a must.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The 300 got EFI in 87, the 351 got it in 88, as did the 460. (Some) 302s got it in 85.

later,
Dustin

 

[Will]

You have the same control with an auto--just hold it down a gear if it hunts.

Climbing a hill is not a low-rpm torque event. It's a horsepower event. If you need 150hp to climb a grade at the speed you would like to climb it--a 300-6 will have the pedal to the floor at its maximum rpm and a 460 will be loafing up at 2/3 throttle. In Colorado where the hills are mountains and the sheep are nervous, I wouldn't want a 300. I think you lose 3% of your rated power per 1,000' because the air is getting thinner. If you are at 5,000' in Colorado, that 150hp 300 is making only 125hp. The 460 can still make the power.

I would, of course, suggest a turbodiesel which loses no power in the hills, but your budget was only $2k. So get the biggest motor you can get. A 460 is 65% larger than a 300 and is a more efficient motor as well.