Best Motor/Trans for towing?

[red-truck]

I am looking at updating from my 92 for a newer truck. I once owned an 02 f150 5.4 auto 4x4 and was very impressed with it for my limited towing (farm towing with a 12-14 ft trailer for cows, hay, small tractor, lumber etc). I traded this truck to get a newer family vehicle and am not in the financial place to move back to one of that level.

I have run across three possibilities so far and have little to no knowledge or experience with each.

1. 1998 4.6 5spd short bed std cab. 71k solid truck, rust starting on inner doors
2. 1997 4.5 auto ext cab 150k good body little/no rust, seems solid
3. 2003 v6 5spd short bed 105k

I need something that is reliable for towing. I use it on average to tow about 10-12 times per year, usually about 85 miles each way with some hills. Does anyone have experience with either of the above to recommend for or against them? I know the 5.4 is the better option and is ideal, but that is not working out for me know.
Thanks.

[glc]

Door #2.

Reason? The M5OD tranny limits you to towing 3500# or less. Engine shouldn't make any difference for farm towing.

However - what's a 4.5? If you meant a 4.2 V6, 97 was a BAD year and I'd say none of the above would be suitable. If you meant 4.6 or 5.4, it's a go.

If you won't be towing more than 3500#, the 03 with a V6 would do it like a champ. That's what I own. The 98 would work very well too.

[kingfish51]

Also the longer the tow vehicle, the better it will tow. The other 2 are short bed regular cabs, the shortest F150 you can get. Go with the auto and super cab.

[red-truck]

Thanks for the info. It is helpful. The 4.5 was a typo, sorry. It is a 4.6. Based on what you said, another option I did not list was an 02 long bed 2wd 5.4 auto. I was concerned about the mileage with it, and really want 4x4. Sometimes I really need it. That may not be too bad. It was owned by a 95yr old and has 8k.

[APT]

If you can get a 2002 with 8k miles for the same price as #2, go for it! 5.4L 2wd wil lbe a rocket compared to a 4.6L 4x4. I agree on the no 5-spd F-150 for towing. Really low ratings.

[Whiteghost]

I'd be looking axles / axle codes on the door jam sticker. Axle ratios make a big impact on what you can and can't pull with a truck, and how confident you are when you do pull a trailer.

Look for a high axle ratio like 4.10, 3.73, 3.55 ect. and Limited Slip (SL) never hurts either.

I own a 1998 F150 4x4, 5.4L, Auto, 3.55 LS, long bed. It will tow above and beyond the 7700# pound limit set by Ford if you beef up the front and rear suspension with additional leaf springs, urathane bushings, overload springs, and heavy duty shocks.

Consider a truck that comes with a "tow package , or tow set up" already. It will prevent you from having to spend extra money on aftermarket parts to acheive the same thing the factory offered.

[reyncreed]

ive had 8,000lbs (1954 Massey Ferguson 65 fulid filled tires + two wheel weights on each tire, weighing in at 6,700lbs + trailer) behind a 96 150 4x4 5spd m5od 3.55s, and did and easy 65 down the highway, so i definitely wouldn't limit the m5od to a wimpy 3,500