Help.."on the fence"

[racsan]

we had a '77 F250 full time 4wd with the 400, C6 and 4.10's, it got 8mpg very consistantly, was a awesome plow truck and you could pull as many wagons of wet corn as you could hook together. as a daily driver it will eat you alive in fuel.

 

[tmcalavy]

Hope you've got a pot 'o gas money unless your DD plans are less than 10 miles to work and back every day. You'll never get more than 12 mpg out of that beast, if its got a 2 brl. carb and if you drive like a granny...sounds like you won't. But it's an old Ford beastie...get it and keep it and use it for fun and hauling...meanwhile get yourself a real DD that won't rape your wallet.

 

[Ozwynn]

Hope you've got a pot 'o gas money unless your DD plans are less than 10 miles to work and back every day. You'll never get more than 12 mpg out of that beast, if its got a 2 brl. carb and if you drive like a granny...sounds like you won't. But it's an old Ford beastie...get it and keep it and use it for fun and hauling...meanwhile get yourself a real DD that won't rape your wallet.

that's how I feel about my Excursion.

 

[adsm08]

If I recall correctly 78 was the last year trucks were allowed regular gasoline while for cars it was 74 I believe. I know our 78 Surburban took 89 octane regular. If that is the case with the ford, plus is no cat. Minus, if original engine, you probably need to use mid grade I imagine. Also pre-unleaded wasn't the lead important for cooling of the valves so older engines are at risk for burning up valves?

Cats were mandated for the 75 model year.

There have been lots of myths about the purpose of lead in leaded gas. People say it was for lubrication, it was to cool the valves, it was for the valve seals, garbage, all of it.

Tetraethyl lead was used as an anti-knock additive. It was used for a long time because it was really cheap. Then health and environmental concerns began to outweigh the cost-effectiveness of lead.

By comparison the stuff we use now is pretty expensive. Up until about 10 years ago the octane additives actually cost more than the gasoline itself.

 

[Chris_North]

I would pass if you intend on using it for a DD. I agree with what others have said about using a car for a DD and having a truck parked for use as a truck.

If the biggest thing you regularly tow is just two ATVs on a utility trailer, I would just keep the Ranger. Depending on your ATVs and trailer we're looking at what 2500 pounds tops? I'm guessing you have a 4.0, so you should have no problem. If you're worried about the trans throw another cooler on it. My dad's 4.0 Exploder's 5R55E is limping now at 170K, but this is after constant abuse like pulling 4500+ pounds at highway speeds with OD on. Without an aux cooler.

Something I always consider as well is for a 2000 Ranger you can probably find parts on the side of the road. Junkyards have tons of compatible parts. I doubt you can say the same about the 250. Even if you blow the trans, you can get a new one for your ranger (not cheap, but still available).

Salt eats everything, no matter what it is. All you can do is keep washing, spraying, and wire-wheeling. One winter turned the bottom of my pristine, painted truck frame to rust city. I only wash it every six months though...

 

[Ozwynn]

that 4spd is common as dirt......LMC would have all the body pieces. parts availability is not an issue.

that big ford engine just does not work as a daily driver. It sucks down too much fuel. Fuel inject it, give it an OD, 3.55 gears and 33" tires it might make 14 mpg......

My Buick has almost paid for itself in fuel savings since I bought it 3 days after the transmission died on the Expedition.

I'm all for the trade, just telling the OP to get a car to use as a daily driver..... get a focus with a 5spd and the amount of gas it doesn't use over the truck will pay for the car in short order.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

that 4spd is common as dirt......LMC would have all the body pieces. parts availability is not an issue.

that big ford engine just does not work as a daily driver. It sucks down too much fuel. Fuel inject it, give it an OD, 3.55 gears and 33" tires it might make 14 mpg......

My Buick has almost paid for itself in fuel savings since I bought it 3 days after the transmission died on the Expedition.

I'm all for the trade, just telling the OP to get a car to use as a daily driver..... get a focus with a 5spd and the amount of gas it doesn't use over the truck will pay for the car in short order.

Y'all make good points... I really am doing this for nostalgia ....but...I'm not going to trade.
It really doesn't make sense, my Ranger does everything I need it to do and then some. I'll do little upgrades as time goes by like aux trans cooler. IF the tranny goes out ,I build it stronger. and still get almost 20mpg's @70 with the a/c and the radio blastin.
Thanks for all your input..I really enjoy the maturity and knowledge and insight on this site..