I have a 1997 F-150 XL with the 4.2L and Manual Transmission. When I bought it, I had no intention of pulling anything.

Well, I have changed my plans and will be towing my car to different events. The car weighs 2800#. I haven't yet bought a trailer, but it will be a very basic open trailer. I will be towing about 200 miles one way for these events. The terrain is relatively flat (Indiana, Illinois, Southern Michigan). I know that I won't be breaking any speed records (nor do I want to). My basic question is am I being realistic thinking that my truck can handle this type of duty.
I cannot get rid of the truck at this time (just bought it in March). I need to make it work. I have browsed the forums and its obvious that a lot of people know what they are talking about.

I appreciate any info you have. I apologize if this type of question has been asked a million times. I have just discovered this forum...

Thanks.

 

Well JAMES you may have a bit of a problem because of the manual transmission. The Ford manual trans in the F150 has a much lower towing capacity than the auto. Depending on the rearend in your truck you can tow up to about 4000# total.

Check your door sticker to find out what your rear-end is and get back to us. Depending on what you have there may be a way to get you safely on the road.

 

Not that it was right to do so, but I have a jeep that I was towing with my older 4.2 manual. It pulled the jeep 70mph no problem. The jeep and trailer weighed around 3000#. I had a Extended Cab with 3.55 gears.

 

I was looking at the door on my truck and the axle code is 18. I don't know what that means or even if that is the right number to look at when trying to determine the gear ratio.

Anybody?

 

Here is a list of what the codes mean.

The following lists the gear ratios on rear axles.
19 - 3.55 non-limited slip (Econoline, F-150)
18 - 3.08 non-limited slip (F-150)
17 - 3.31 non-limited slip (Econoline)
H9 - 3.55 limited slip (F-150, F-250)
B6 - 3.73 limited slip (F-150, F-250)
24 - 3.73 (Econoline)
32 - 4.10 (Econoline)
35 - 4.09 (Econoline)
34 - 3.73 (Econoline)
39 - 3.55 (Econoline)
52 - 4.10 (Econoline)
56 - 4.10 (Econoline)
81 - 4.63 (Econoline)
27 - 3.31 non-limited slip (F-250)
26 - 3.73 non-limited slip (F-250)
41 - 3.27 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
45 - 3.55 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
46 - 3.73 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
42 - 4.10 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D1 - 3.27 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D4 - 3.73 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D2 - 4.10 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
84 - 3.45 non-limited slip (Ranger)
86 - 3.73 non-limited slip (Ranger)
87 - 4.10 non-limited slip (Ranger)
89 - 4.56 non-limited slip (Ranger)
F6 - 3.73 limited slip (Ranger)
F7 - 4.10 limited slip (Ranger)
92 - 3.08 non-limited slip (Ranger)
R5 - 3.55 limited slip (Ranger)
91 - 3.27 non-limited slip (Ranger)
96 - 3.73 non-limited slip (Ranger)
R6 - 3.73 limited slip (Ranger)"

 

18 = 3.08 NON-LS
Jamesgang, that puts the towing limit (according to Ford) at 2100 lbs.

Just changing to a 3.55 bumps it up to 3400 lbs.

 

I was wondering when you guys would show up

JAMES, you are in very good hands. The gentlemen who are replying to your post ( F150NKY and Raoul) know just about everything you could ever think of to ask about towing with an F150.

 

All I know about towing is you hook stuff up in the back where the doo-hicky is and if it's something really big or heavy you have to say "YeeHaw" before you take off.

 

Which of course makes you woefully unqualified to explain how changing a 3.08 to 3.55 would be accomplished.

 

Now that I know how to do!
What needs to be accomplished is getting .47 more gear in there.
The easiest way would be drilling a hole in the top of the differential and pouring in the right amount of liquid gear.

Or, replace the gear altogether which is easy enough after you beat the differential cover off with a chisel and a big hammer.
(don't hit your thumb)

 

Well let's make that plan B

it looks like you will not be able to "safely" do what you want to do, with your current set-up.

For somewhere between $600 and $1000 you should be able to get your gears swapped out.

I would however go with a 3.73 limited slip. Here is a good web site to get you started.

http://www.ring-pinion.com/home.shtml

 

I appreciate all the info. It is more depressing that anything else, but that is okay, I will compensate. At least, right now, it isn't too late to adapt. It looks like finding this messageboard was a blessing.

Thanks Raoul and flafonman for your help. You guys obviously know your stuff.

TJ

 

I have a '99 150 that has the axle code 26. The above posted list seems to show that as a 250 option. Hmmmm.... Anyway I love having the 3.73s

 

James, if you take it easy it shouldn't be a problem. My previous truck was a 99 longbed reg cab 4x4 with the 4.2, 5sp and 3.31 gears. My max towing was 1900lbs! I towed a small (2700lb) travel trailer every now and then for elk hunting way out in NE Oregon and it did fine. Ford really underrates the 5 speeds for towing. Don't slip the clutch and 'double clutch' as often as you can. In other words, learn to 'drive' the truck as best you can.
Gary

 

I have a 1997 F-150 4.2L 5speed supercab with 3.55 axle. I am looking to get a boat. The total wt. will be about 4,000 lbs. Can I tow this or just forget it? Is anybody towing a boat with the same type of truck I have?