lightning engine capability?
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 49
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lightning engine capability?
i know the specs already but was wondering if this engine setup was decent for some towing? lets say 8,000lbs every blue moon but being a good DD with decent MPG (lets say16mpg with mixed driving NON-loaded) on my 1990 f150 extended cab frame
- f250 leafs and springs
- lightning engine setup and the upgraded lightning e4od tranny (whatever that might be)
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Good luck with 16 mpg...
Sure the 351 will tow fine. 8000 pounds? Depends on more than just the engine. Gears.. Well that depends on tire size.
Tranny is pretty much the same as any other E4OD.
http://www.nloc.net/vbforum/gen-1-li...sion-guys.html
Sure the 351 will tow fine. 8000 pounds? Depends on more than just the engine. Gears.. Well that depends on tire size.
Tranny is pretty much the same as any other E4OD.
http://www.nloc.net/vbforum/gen-1-li...sion-guys.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 0
From: southwest michigan
You might be able to get around 15mpg or so if the engine is setup right and you drive it easy. I've had two trucks with 351's and both got 12.5 average. I advanced the timing on my truck this summer and now average 15.1mpg. This is a 4x4 truck with an E4OD 3.08 gears and 32" tires.
Gearing not only depends on tire size, but also how you plan on using the truck. I wouldn't want 4.10 gears in my DD truck, even with the 32" tires. You'll be turning some serious RPM's if you spend much time over 70 mph. I average 75mph on the highway, so 4.10's are not an option for me. I'm looking at 3.73's because they will be perfect for me if I ever go up to a 33" tire.
If you don't drive on the highway a lot, and you want your truck to leave everyone behind at a stoplight, keep the 4.10's. Please keep us posted on your build. I've often considered buying a wrecked lightning and dropping the drivetrain in my truck.
Gearing not only depends on tire size, but also how you plan on using the truck. I wouldn't want 4.10 gears in my DD truck, even with the 32" tires. You'll be turning some serious RPM's if you spend much time over 70 mph. I average 75mph on the highway, so 4.10's are not an option for me. I'm looking at 3.73's because they will be perfect for me if I ever go up to a 33" tire.
If you don't drive on the highway a lot, and you want your truck to leave everyone behind at a stoplight, keep the 4.10's. Please keep us posted on your build. I've often considered buying a wrecked lightning and dropping the drivetrain in my truck.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 49
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still haven't decided exactly which way I'm going to go as far as suspension. I'm thinking either
F250 Springs in the back with the lightning springs in the front with some factory wheels and tires or perhaps 22in tires but with street friendly tires
or
F250 springs all around with a 2-3in lift with 22in rims with some midly high tires (women love lifted trucks for some reason LOL)
and my MPG is more valued then towing capabilities so 3.73 is the way to go from what i'm understanding (correct me if i'm wrong) seeing as i'm not racing the truck nor am i going to even go in the mud with it. just need it to haul a 8000lb trailer every blue moon. and be a reliable daily driver
F250 Springs in the back with the lightning springs in the front with some factory wheels and tires or perhaps 22in tires but with street friendly tires
or
F250 springs all around with a 2-3in lift with 22in rims with some midly high tires (women love lifted trucks for some reason LOL)
and my MPG is more valued then towing capabilities so 3.73 is the way to go from what i'm understanding (correct me if i'm wrong) seeing as i'm not racing the truck nor am i going to even go in the mud with it. just need it to haul a 8000lb trailer every blue moon. and be a reliable daily driver
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 566
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, Alabama
i know the specs already but was wondering if this engine setup was decent for some towing? lets say 8,000lbs every blue moon but being a good DD with decent MPG (lets say16mpg with mixed driving NON-loaded) on my 1990 f150 extended cab frame
- f250 leafs and springs
- lightning engine setup and the upgraded lightning e4od tranny (whatever that might be)
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,783
Likes: 1,750
From: Kentucky
I averaged around 14 MPG with my last two '93 Lightnings, unloaded running 70 MPH on the interstate. Around town mileage was around 8....
I towed a my flatbed trailer loaded with a 642B Bobcat every once and awhile. I tow the same trailer with my current '92 F350, the mileage is the pretty much the same at 10 MPG.
The F350 is a 4x4, 5.8L engine, E4OD and 3.55 gears.
I towed a my flatbed trailer loaded with a 642B Bobcat every once and awhile. I tow the same trailer with my current '92 F350, the mileage is the pretty much the same at 10 MPG.
The F350 is a 4x4, 5.8L engine, E4OD and 3.55 gears.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
still haven't decided exactly which way I'm going to go as far as suspension. I'm thinking either
F250 Springs in the back with the lightning springs in the front with some factory wheels and tires or perhaps 22in tires but with street friendly tires
or
F250 springs all around with a 2-3in lift with 22in rims with some midly high tires (women love lifted trucks for some reason LOL)
and my MPG is more valued then towing capabilities so 3.73 is the way to go from what i'm understanding (correct me if i'm wrong) seeing as i'm not racing the truck nor am i going to even go in the mud with it. just need it to haul a 8000lb trailer every blue moon. and be a reliable daily driver
F250 Springs in the back with the lightning springs in the front with some factory wheels and tires or perhaps 22in tires but with street friendly tires
or
F250 springs all around with a 2-3in lift with 22in rims with some midly high tires (women love lifted trucks for some reason LOL)
and my MPG is more valued then towing capabilities so 3.73 is the way to go from what i'm understanding (correct me if i'm wrong) seeing as i'm not racing the truck nor am i going to even go in the mud with it. just need it to haul a 8000lb trailer every blue moon. and be a reliable daily driver
So let me get this straight. You want a supercab lifted f150 w 4:10s to get 16mpg? NO WAY IN HELL. you will be lucky to get 13
my lightning that is lowered(less wind resistance) gets a all time high of 16 on a 400 mile all hyw trip
3:73s would maybe get you 14mpg
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