OK I was given a challenge the other day to back-to-back my truck (F150 with a 4.6L V8 Triton engine) against a 1988 GMC Sierra 2500 (origonal stuff ((don't know what's in it)) ) Whos truck is dominant here? If mine isn't looing good, what if i popped into 4 low and 1st gear?

 

Keep in mind that a Chevy 2500 will have a stronger drivetrain/ axle. Your 4.6 is mated to the same 8.8" rear end that is on my '94 Ranger.

 

I probably would pass that challenge up. You're not comparing apples to apples. Go borrow a Super Duty, and then jerk his axle out from underneath his stupidy chebby.

 

Even if his is a 2500- from 1988 I think a modern, modular F-150 with 4.6L will out tow, out run and out haul an 88 chevy- unless he had the 454; then you coul dstill do all of the above, except maybe not out-tow him... Maybe.

 

or i could barrow my dads 1999 GMC 2500 he doesnt even want that thing any more

 

pulling bumper to bumper will not prove anything.
It all depends on the weight, tire traction, gear ratio ect.
If you do hook up, then sit there with the brakes on till he breaks something or starts to spin the tires. when he spins then slowely pull himback.

 

Maybe, but if not...he's gonna look pretty stupid having his brand new Ford drug around all over, by a 17 year old Chevy. Youre talking about a 3/4 ton truck, probably with a 350 that has a whole lot more torque than a 4.6L, modular or not, and more than likey much better gear ratio for pulling. I'm assuming the GMC is 4WD also?

 

Psst...heres a secret... It's not always the truck...
If you decide to accept...pull the chain tight, hold your brake and torque the engine on them like your trying to pull him. But DO NOT let your tires break free and spin. When he goes he will likely instinctivley floor it and will start spinning his tires thinking hes going to easily drag you off. Since you breaks are lcked he wont move you. When he starts to spin simply let off your brake and you will pull him anywhere you want to go! (as long as you dont start spinning too)

I use to pull Chev 1 ton duallies w/ 454's, Ford F-350's, Dodge's, etc. using my 2wd F-100 with a 300 I6. It was funny.

But beware they are spining thier tires and throwing rocks and crap at your truck. I lost a back glass once and a side mirror another time. Plus a lot of dents and chips in the tailgate. Who do you think ended up having to pay for that? ME! But I didnt pay gor thier U joints, yokes, etc that would give when they started to wheel hop. LOL


Edited to add:
Funny Story,
I was hooked Bumper to bumper with a 1 ton Ford 460 4wd. We were both young and he thought it was a sure thing for him. He left it in 2wd to keep it "fair" .. He started spinning and my truck "the 300 I6" was ideling unussaly high this day. I got him moving opened my door stood up out the door and waved to him in his miror. As I let my I6 idle along pulling him as he gave it Hell. He finally put on his brakes and stopped us. Got out unhooked the chain then got back in and left mad as everybody was laughing. Classic moment in automotive history. Luckily one of the guys from school had a video camera and caught it all. SWEET!!!

 

You gotta remember, in 1988 a V8 was nothing, compared to most of today's 4 bangers in terms of peak HP. V-8's in 1988 had asthma, emphesema, bronchitis, pneumonia and tuberculosis. That truck probably had 150 - 170- HP, and 270 lb. ft. torque. Remember, the screamers then were the Mustang GT with the 5.0 (302) with a stated 225 HP, 300 lb ft; then Ford revised that to 215/290. The 305 (Chevy) 5.0 was puttign out 170 HP, and he 350 was pumping out 230 HP, but that was in the IROC-Z, the Vette had 245 HP. Trucks had less HP back then- way less. Remember, the big dog, 454 SS had only 230 HP and it was (The most powerful truck on the road). The 4.6L puts out more than that today.

Just like with sports cars, today is the hey day of trucks; not yester-years... (Not counting the GMC Cyclone and Typhoon- they would still kick @$$ today- even against the Lightning.)

 

/Bone Stock

the Typhoons/Cyclones wont kick the L's ***. They will beat them from 0-60, but closing in on 100mph the Chevy's loose power and the L pulls on them slightly. They are within a 1/2 second in the 1/4 of each other though.

Would be a good race to see a STI/Cyclone/Lightning race 3 wide.

 

Definetely----do not pull a 3/4 ton pickup--he will kill you, its all about weight there.

In a race, i think you'd probley have him, if you have 3.55+ gears

 

u would win... old technology<new

Ford drive trains > Chevy

 

doesnt matter about technology, if he goes to pull a 3/4 ton 350 or bigger motor pickup with his half-ton, he's going to lose. Id put money on it.
Drag race however, Id have my $$ on the Ford

 

What could possibly go wrong?

Sounds like a recipe for diaster. Or fodder for "America's Funniest Home Videos"

Please make sure you guys capture this momentous event on video

 

The 3/4 ton is not the vehicle's weight, its a load carrying capacity. As we all know, today's light duty 1/4 ton trucks can carry a 1,700 lb plus payload in the bed, with a 4.6L V-8., and tow upwards of 7,700 lbs (4.6) and 9,000+ with th 5.4)

Mathematically, a 4.6L Extended cab F-150 can carry in ternally, (1,700 - 1,800 lbs), that's darn near 1 ton. (0.85 tons) better than a 3/4 ton (0.75 ton).. The addition of a few extra leaf springs, and a 2500 badge won't increase the weight of a truck that drastically- to enable a truck to carry more weight, or move up in it's cargo capacity.

The 2004+ F-150's, although classified as a light duty, are no less than a notch away from what's considered Super-Duty classification. Essentially, they are super-duties, wrapped in a light duty frame.

Don't be mis-led by the 1/4 ton, 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1-ton ratings. They meant more in 1988 than they do today--- A lot more.

I bet a 1997 - 2005 F-150 weighs more than a 1988 Silverado 2500; especially a 2004-2005 (That went up 500 lbs over the 1997 - 2003's)..

In the Army, our 2.5 ton vehicles were supposed to be able to carry 2.5 tons (5,000 lbs.) Well, we loaded 67 reels of CX-11230 coaxial cable into each of our deuces at 147/lbs each. That's, 9.847 lbs.. (Almost 5 tons...) in the bed alone. On top of that, we towed tralers easily weighing 19,000 - 21,000 lbs with support gear; and those trucks had I-6 multi-fuel diesels (1950's technology).

It seems that people put whatever cargo rating they want on whateve they want, but most times, it's way under what the vehicle can do.