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140hp would be p-a-i-n-f-u-l. I second Ed, except I would jump up one more generation into a '99+ GMT800 truck. That gets you a Gen3 smallblock with more power and much better mileage. I have towed a 16ft flatbed with one of those trucks (a 2000 Suburban with the 5.3) and I would highly recommend. It was a great truck for that size trailer, great ride quality, plenty of power, and shockingly good mileage. Sub-150k mile examples are all over Craigslist for under $4k.
Actually, yeah, Andrew is 100% right on this. Right now the best deals for capability and reliability are the GMT800 trucks. Some parts are starting to be discontinued for the older trucks like mine. The newer ones are far superior, both in terms of power but especially comfort. 4-wheel disc brakes, 2WDs have rack and pinion steering, and they regularly run 250k+ miles without major work.
Thanks guys, figured you would talk me into my senses. I had a 2001 Tahoe with the 4.8L for a long time, it was a great truck and I should have never gotten rid of it.
Yes except the 4.8 is a major disappointment. Not as bad as the 305 in my '98, but still bad. This time around get the 5.3.
Or spend a tiny bit more (not much!) and get a Suburban 2500 with the 6.0. Comes with the 4L80E as well, which isn't as good as the Allison, but is supposed to be a big step up from the 4L60.
It is a big step up from the 60. However, I haven't seen them in the sub-4k range. More like $7k+ for a good one. 2500 burbans are pretty sought after.
I had the 4.9 in a 2wd short bed standard cab F150 and it was not powerful. I pulled lots of old cars home with it but generally not at interstate speeds. Would not recommend in heavier truck and am surprised Ford built it that way.
What a dumb thing to spend money on. How much is a set of tires when you inevitably have a blow out? What's the GVWR on those wheels?
LOL, why is it a dumb thing to spend my money on it? Because it’s too flashy for you and not your stlye? Makes cents. Truck does what I want it to do, no problem. If you have to ask how much, well *insert fast and furious quote*, more than you can afford, pal. I can assure you the GVWR on the wheels is more than enough for the truck.
Was wondering that...? Is it still actually usable as a dually, or are you stuck with bumper pull?
EDIT - should have been more clear... curious about the tire ratings, not wheels specifically.
Completely usable as a dually still. I don’t have a goose neck trailer, but it has a gooseneck hitch in it. I know previous owner pulled a gooseneck with it, along with 30’+ enclosed for his racecar, and a big center console boat.
LOL, why is it a dumb thing to spend my money on it? Because it’s too flashy for you and not your stlye? Makes cents. Truck does what I want it to do, no problem. If you have to ask how much, well *insert fast and furious quote*, more than you can afford, pal. I can assure you the GVWR on the wheels is more than enough for the truck.
Finally! Long story but I used to live in a camper.......work was fun like that. I had an 08' 2500 duramax CCSB, hell of a truck and would pull my 17k 5th wheel like a dream even though it was well over the rear axle ratings. Sold it and camper to build a house without wheels and I've missed it ever since. We don't really "need" a truck often, 3-4 track events a year and I would borrow or rent something since a weekend would rarely run more than a truck payment. I finally stumbled onto a deal i couldn't pass up that would end my muching ways.
16' 2500WT 6.0 66k miles, $21k
The bad: It's a WT, with a couple of options, locking tailgate, backup camera and the bigger infotainment screen. It was an oil field truck, so the back of the bed was smashed into the cab, they used half inch bolts to attach the tool boxes, the paint is covered in light briar/brush scratches and everything has a coat of anti-seize.
Started knocking the oil field off of it, and it's starting to look like a truck again.
Pulled the bed rail back out, pulled the boxes off of it and put a tonneau on so far. Side steps are on their way, so is an exhaust, also debating on blacking out the chrome because I'm vain like that.
Late to the discussion but here goes...
For a short time, I had a 1988 F150 with a 300 6 cylinder, C4 auto, 2WD, regular cab, 8' box. Thank the great white north's use of salt it was a rust bucket. Driving empty, it was an ok vehicle keeping up with traffic.
Race weekends included ~2000 lb 8' slide in camper towing a 7X14 cargo trailer at ~ 3500 lb (Race Karts). Yes it was severely overloaded and I was lucky to live through the experience. I sold it within a year.
- Top speed on the flat ~60 mph (foot to the floor), You could draft a small car at about 50-100 ft and the resulting turbulence off the car resulted in a benefit of say 5 mph or more. Any closer your drafting partner gets real nervous for some reason...
- 50 ft or less behind a Tractor Trailer was golden, your speed can reach ~75 mph on the flat.. Your passengers start to get nervous for some reason too
- The C4 is a 3 speed auto. It shifts often at this aero and weight load.
- Being on the flat or down hill (loaded) is ok on a secondary road (50 mph limit). You can keep up with traffic and maintain 3rd gear most of the time
- 2% grade is a downshift to 2nd, 4% you are loosing speed, 6% or more you are slowing down a lot and passing drivers shake their fist. LOL
You kind of get the idea. 145 HP and 265 ft lb as not up to the task.
- A 350 mile round trip to the track was 3 refills. (I can't remember the tank size). So, I'm guessing 6-7 mpg possibly less as the route was hilly and too much time in 2nd gear. Your mileage may vary as they say...
I replaced this with a 1994 GMC 3/4 ton 6.5 Turbo Diesel - about 195 HP, 360 ft lb? Fuel economy doubled. Better but still not enough...
Since everyone hated my 5.4 f250 so much, I had to go get a 7.3 f350 dually. It rides like a Cadillac. But it needs a lot of sound deadening, and for it to not smell like goats. The price was too good to pass up though.
Its a CCLB. 3.73 rear. A fresh 4r100. 228k miles. 2wd. As far as I know, the engine is totally stock minus a blue cam sensor, intake and a 4 inch turbo-back. I would have a preferred a 6-speed with the 7.3 since the 4r100 is such an old design that shouldnt be in a heavy duty truck. (I believe) No 6.0's were around for a reasonably price will all the bulletproofing done to them that I wanted. Someone should make a 5r110 swap kit for these older trucks.
Its a CCLB. 3.73 rear. A fresh 4r100. 228k miles. 2wd. As far as I know, the engine is totally stock minus a blue cam sensor, intake and a 4 inch turbo-back. I would have a preferred a 6-speed with the 7.3 since the 4r100 is such an old design that shouldnt be in a heavy duty truck. (I believe) No 6.0's were around for a reasonably price will all the bulletproofing done to them that I wanted. Someone should make a 5r110 swap kit for these older trucks.
Yeah mine's got a 6 speed, it's the best thing ever. Also 4.10 rear end and camper package. With that intake and exhaust you might want to look into getting an upgraded compressor wheel (RiffRaff is good) to try to prevent compressor surge. Also if you decide to get some tunes and a little insurance that the truck can't be started, go with the PHP Hydra chip and you can set it to "no start" and pull the controller out. Also the tunes are pretty great. I get a tiny bit better mileage with it but driveability and power is much better even on just the +20hp tow tune. I've got a bigger turbo and some other bolt on stuff but still stock injectors. I'd like to keep this truck forever.
Biggest complaint is how noisy it is but oh well, to be expected. I ride in my buddy's 6.7l truck every once in awhile and I'm always amazed at how quiet it is inside lol.
03-25-2019, 08:25 PM
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