this is my first post..
Just bought a 1994 5.0 with auto tranny to pull my 4-5000 lb travel trailer. I havent attempted to hook it up and have been changing some general maintence parts such as belts, hoses, plugs, u joints, distributer cap etc...

my question is ..what can i do to get the truck ready to pull this trailer.. im thinking 4.11 gears etc.. any advice?

 

What gears are you running now? I've been throwing the regearing around for a while on here, and have gotten tons of help and info.

 

A lower gear ratio is going to be your best friend in the case of towing. Also make sure that your tires are rated for the load, as well as your hitch receiver and the hitch itself.

Your biggest enemy is going to be heat in the transmission, so make sure you've got a good auxiliary trans cooler and you might want to consider installing an in-cab trans temp gauge to keep an eye on her.

Lastly, make sure all your ujoints are in good shape. U-joints are designed to be the weak points in your drivetrain, and when under a heavy load such as pulling a trailer, a weak joint can give up on its last whim and SNAP.

Welcome to the forum buddy

 

Id say check the brakes and make sure they are good, stuff like that. Id say if your runnin stock tires, 4.10s would do the job. It can get pretty expensive if your taking it somewere to get it done. How many miles are on the truck? Do the leafs, springs, and shocks look good? Id hook the trailer up loaded see if the truck is squating. Maybe get some helpers or if the springs are weak replace them and go from there.

 

im not sure what gears are in the truck ..im assuming they are original...is there a way to tell for sure? I do know that after driving the truck, it doesnt feel like 4.11's or anything stout...feels weak for a v8... the trans cooler sounds like a good idea...can the gears be installed by a weekend mechanic?

 

To find out your gearing, looking at the 2nd line on the tag hanging off the rear differential. If 3.55s, for example, it should say '3 55'. If 3.73s it should says '3 73'. If limited slip, the space will be replace with an L (3L55 or 3L73, for example).

If the tag is missing, you can also look at the code on the driver door jam sticker use this decoder:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_Decoder.html

Gears can definitely be installed by a weekend mechanic, but the job DOES require specific expertise and tools, it's not just a bolt-on-and-walk-away swap. Also remember that if the truck 4wd you'll need to change the front gears to match (as well as the front carrier).

 

I had an 83 with the 302/AOD. The gears were 3.55s and I use to haul a 4500lb 25' TT. The gears were OK for the flats but 3.73s would have been much better. I also installed a bigger aux tranny cooler, drain plug on tranny, and used LT tires. The temp gauge is a good idea too. Installed an electric fan when fan clutch failed. If your radiator is original consider an upgrade to a HD one. 9-11mpg towing, 14-17mpg alone.
Good Luck
rikard

 

I was thinking 4.11 gears...I am thinking of traveling to arkansas and the hills of Tennessee (i live in West Tenn where its pretty flat) I would like the truck to be able to handle hills, what gears would you recomend? I have already replaced all ujoints, carrier bearing, and Im gonna add the trans cooler (anyone have brand or model ideas on this)

 

Id say go with the 4.10s, but make sure whoever does it knows what there doing because just throwing them in there doesnt cut it you gotta align the gears, check lash, yada yada...

 

ok, im looking to buy the 4.10 gears. how do I know what type to buy? what type of axle is in this truck? anyone have any brands in mind

 

I'm assuming this is an F150 since you've got a 5.0L. If that's the case, the rear axle is a Ford 8.8". If 4wd, then the front axle is a Dana Spicer 44, high pinion/reverse spiral. For the front axle you'll need to replace the carrier and MAKE SURE to specify high pinion/reverse spiral when you buy the front axle parts. Brand for the gears isn't SUPER important, although you should shy away from 'budget' brands. Stock Ford or Dana Spicer gears are always a safe bet. Other brands with good reputations include (but not limited to) Yukon, Auburn, Richmond...

There is a wealth of information about parts and brands on Randy's Ring & Pinion (www.ringpinion.com). Check out that site.

EDIT @ Andy: Fixed

 

Swap the 302 out for a 351. It will tow *much* better. The 302 is fine in an unloaded or lightly loaded truck, but pulling a trailer that big is going to be a struggle. Lower gears will help but they aren't a substitute for torque.

Also, if you decide to change gears, the front axle is a reverse spiral, not a reverse rotation. It rotates the same direction as any other front axle. You will also need a new carrier if you cross the imaginary line of 3.93 on the front axle.

 

the truck is f150 302/auto trans (NON 4x4) It is 2 wheel drive. are you saying that I have to change gears in the front?? I only thought that I would change gears in the REAR Axle?

 

If the truck is 2wd then you don't have any gears in the front and don't need to worry about them

 

Being as though it is 2WD it will simplify things a bit. You might actually be able to find a rear end out of a junkyard with 4.10s in it. Kinda rare but possible, when i blew the guts out of my rear end on my 88 ford f-150 i had i got lucky and found one with 4.10s. Same diff too the 8.8". I got my rear end for like 400 bones including axles and all.