Ok, here's the situation. I currently have a '99 F-150 Supercab, 4.6L, Auto 3.55LS, 2wd that I use to tow a 19'/4200lb boat with. The boat has electric brakes. The truck does very well, could use more grunt at highway speed, but gets the jod done.

For numerous reasons (wife wants mini-van and the F-150 spends 9 out of 10 days sitting in the driveway), I'm considering trading the '99 for a van and picking up a pre '97 F-150 or Bronco (probably the F-150, hopeffuly an EB) for towing duties. I would be looking for a '94-'96 or so extended cab, auto, 4wd.

How many of you pre-'97 folks tow something like this and how does your truck do? I'm primarily looking at 302 or 351 models. I don't trust comparing HP ratings between the trucks as there are too many variables to good towing manners/plenty power. I'm thinking that I would rather have the 351, but its up for debate. Let me know what you think!

Also, I haven't been in a Pre'97 x-cab in years. Is there enough room in the back seat for rear-facing car seats without cramping the front passengers?

 

If you're going to tow, don't consider a 302. Either the 351 or the 300 will do a better job than the 302. In a heavy truck (long cab, long box, 4WD) the 351 will do much better. The 351 does have a drinking problem though.

The E4OD tranny is much stronger than either the 4R70W or the manual. It is the only tranny offered with the 351 and the only automatic offered with with the 300. If you do end up with a 302, look for tranny code "E" on the build spec decal.

If you step up to a 3/4 ton, seriously consider a 460. It will deliver better power and better economy than a 351.

 

Yeah they will tow no problem. Go for the five speed 302, or a 351 and make sure the E4OD tranny has had regular service. But a 300 I6 will tug with the best of em as well.

An extended cab long bed will be your best tower, but a shortbed will still be ok. A bronco would also tow that boat fine, but will be at a disadvantage if you get into a panic stop.

Not sure on rear facin child seats. I never really looked at them.

Adrianspeeder

 

How bad of a drinking problem? I'm used to 15-18 non-towing, and 11-12 towing.

One thing I'm concerned about is towing at highway speeds. My 4.6 can hold OD on the flat, but she has to wind through the roof for any hills. I was hoping with the extra torque of the 351 that I could hold 60-65 easier. How does the 300 do with loads at highway speeds?

Auto will probably be a necessity as I don't know that the manual that came in the 150 can handle the abuse I would throw at it.

Thanks for the info and keep it coming!

 

Just lower your numbers a little bit and you'll be right on.

Don't think you could make much more abuse than I could...

Had a nice 94 ex cab long bed that dad and I would tow an 8000lb gooseneck daily. The M5OD took it like a champ. Dads 97 did the same thing till I got the Powerstroke.

The 302 has to rev a bit for the big haulin and 351 revs a little bit less to do the same thing. The 300 just uses pure diesel like torque grunt to do it's moving. Does highway speeds fine, just takes a little longer to get there.

Adrianspeeder

 

My 351 does good. Its a 94 4 wheel drive with an E4OD and 3:55 gears. You can notice the trailer on it but it really isnt much of a drag.

My friends 90 302 bronco with the same E4OD and 3:55 gears is no match. Its to slow.

I do believe ford upgraded the power output in 94. Also 94 got a drivers side air bag for the first time. Along with paddle style mirrors.
93-96 Broncos have 4 wheel antilock brakes and rear disc as well.

A guy i work with has a 93 f250 2 wheel with a 460 auto with heavy duty rear end. He says he can pull his 23 foot camper up parleys canyon(I-80 for those of you who know it) without noticing in the peddle. You take it from Salt Lake to Park City. Its all up hill climbing the mountain. I take his word cuz he is an honest man about 60 yrs old.

But he does only get about 12 city. My 351 gets 15 city and i dont race it everywhere i go but dont drive like a grand mother either.

I would say either a 94-96 351 or 460. The extra power is always a plus when towing.

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...x.cfm/id/2158/

http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/U...reviewshowall/

 

You ask for an idea so let me throw this one out there.
What about instead of getting a van and a truck (that you say will just sit there most of the time) try and get an Expedition? The Expy is great for family use (better than a minivan IMHO) and if you think it could handle what you are towing. You would save the money on the insurance and upkeep of a vehicle that will just be sitting in your driveway.
So my idea is to kill two birds with one stone…..that’s all I got.

 

Extended cabs in these trucks don't have doors to the back seats. So child seats may fit in there, but you'd probably prefer sitting the kids in the bed to getting them in and out of the back seat. I recently traded in my 95 Extended cab for a new truck partially due to the troubles of getting my GF's 9 year old in and out of the back seat.

 

He has a real good point. My sister has an expedition and they are lots roomier than appear. The 5.4 has plenty of power along with fairly good economy for a vehicle that size. They drive very nice too. And push button 4 wheel drive for her is always a plus. No worries about her being stuck in the snow. So i dont think your wife would complain.

 

lol, yeah i dont have much to compare to, ive driven my dads 03 f150 5.4L triton, moves pretty good but i DONT think it pulls a whole lot more than my 5.0 91, I pull usually a 1700lb open car trailer and then add a 3600~lb 99 grand prix on it and its heavy, ive even had 500lbs of lawn equipment in the back bed AND pulling the trailer and car on it with stuff in the car, so towing a total of about 6000lbs or more, flat isnt too bad, hills have to stay in low gears.

I recently went from NJ to Ohio/500miles each way though PA mountains, i never felt like it didnt HAVE the power to climb hills, but the 4 speed auto your either stuck in 3rd doing 45-50mph uphill or 4th is just too little gear and bogs down bad. I did see guys with modified Powerstrokes and Dodge flyin by doing 80mph up the same hill with way more cargo lol, nother story though.

I dont think i had a problem with this long trip pulling so much weight, i dont think your 99/4.6L has much more torque than the older 5.0Ls so it shouldnt be too much different. I averaged approx. 9-10mph going fast 55-70mph with the car trailer through mountains on most of the trip to Ohio and back which i guess is exptected. I have a 91 w/178k on it, runs good.

 

Stay away from the 5 speed. adrianspeeder's experience with the Mazda 5 speed is the exception, not the rule. They tend to be junk transmissions, and I would never recommend towing with one unless you had no other choice.

 

I have a '95 XLT Short Bed, with a 302, the 4R70W transmission, and the awful 3:08 rear end. To make matters worse, the previous owner put tires on it 2 sizes larger (265 vs 235). I use it to pull a small camper, and it does fairly well, except on very steep grades...then it really struggles. That said...I would echo the remarks about going for the 351/E4OD/3:55 combination...look for that in your truck. On the xcabs, the rear seat will probably accept a child seat, but it may be tight.

Good luck!

 

lol

Your aight man, I don't care what they say about ya