A little disapointed
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
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From: Brazoria, Texas
A little disapointed
I have a 89 f150 i6 4x4 3.55s, and a M5OD trans. I pulled a 20ft trailer with a yard and a half of top soil garden mix. I know the trailer its self is really heavy and the soil didn't help but my truck did not like it going down the highway. After 3rd gear my truck didn't want any part of pulling that trailer. The truck defiantly has that low end power that people talk about. I could just about dump the clutch and it would go with all that weight. I don't think the M5OD helped it very much. I expected my truck to go down the highway better than that.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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What size tires do you have? 3.55 gears with an M5OD shouldn't be that bad, unless you are running big tires.
With 235/75-15 tires and 3.00 gears, my '82 with a stock 300 pulled 2 yards of damp top soil (in the bed, not with a 20' trailer) and I barely noticed the load, even going up some pretty steep hills.
With 235/75-15 tires and 3.00 gears, my '82 with a stock 300 pulled 2 yards of damp top soil (in the bed, not with a 20' trailer) and I barely noticed the load, even going up some pretty steep hills.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brazoria, Texas
I run 31x10.5 on a 15in rim. I have pulled 4yrds of wet top soil (20ft trailer) with my truck when it had 3.08 gears in it and it did alright but I never had to get out of 3rd because i was just down the road from my house.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
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From: North Reading Mass
My 93 with 3.08s and stock tires will haul my 4100 lb 5th wheeler at 55-60 mph. It pulls hills very well. I do use 93 octane when I haul.
Might be time to do a compression check and tune up.
regards
rikard
Might be time to do a compression check and tune up.
regards
rikard
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: long island
i agree with rikard. these trucks are no rocket ships on the hwy, but maybe yours just needs a little maintence. i usually stay in 4th on the hwy when i pull alot of weight.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brazoria, Texas
The sparkplugs/wires, dist cap, rotor are all less than 3 years old. changed my oil about 1,000 miles ago and I keep my air filter fairly clean. Im not real sure how to a compression check. Am I missing anything?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brazoria, Texas
Im right at 2,000rpm at 55mph in 5th gear so I pull in 4th on heavy loads at 55. I go into 5th when I hit 65mph I cant tell you the exact rpms on that one. This truck has had a very easy life. Its only had two owners. My Mom and I.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Spokane, WA
"I expected my truck to go down the highway better than that."
Expectations can be deceiving and lead to disappointment.
Expectations can be deceiving and lead to disappointment.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brazoria, Texas
I know my truck is not fast by any means. I didn't think I would have to have the peddle to the floor just to creep up to speed or have the peddle almost to the floor just to maintain 55mph. I could go 65 with the trailer unloaded. People on this site talk about how great of a pulling motor it is and how good it pulls for them and I just want mine to live up to its name. Im not trying to be rude or anything.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 407
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From: Rochester
In my truck I pulled a mid-sized cat skid loader on a pretty heavy duty trailer. I've a got 3.50 gears M50D Mazda and am running 33x12.50's. I didn't have any problems. Was alittle sluggish taking off in 1st gear. Needed a little lower gear to get it moving but once I was moving had no problems ran 60 down the highway just fine.
I'd agree with everyone. Change plug, wires, cap, and then pull the codes to see if you get anything. Maybe somethings not working right causing lack of power.
I'd agree with everyone. Change plug, wires, cap, and then pull the codes to see if you get anything. Maybe somethings not working right causing lack of power.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brazoria, Texas
In my truck I pulled a mid-sized cat skid loader on a pretty heavy duty trailer. I've a got 3.50 gears M50D Mazda and am running 33x12.50's. I didn't have any problems. Was alittle sluggish taking off in 1st gear. Needed a little lower gear to get it moving but once I was moving had no problems ran 60 down the highway just fine.
I'd agree with everyone. Change plug, wires, cap, and then pull the codes to see if you get anything. Maybe somethings not working right causing lack of power.
I'd agree with everyone. Change plug, wires, cap, and then pull the codes to see if you get anything. Maybe somethings not working right causing lack of power.
The plugs, wires and cap are all less than 3 years old. (closer to 2yrs.) I will try to pull codes.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brazoria, Texas
I did a vacuum test on that and it checked out good. The truck runs good when Im not pulling anything. How can you tell the cats are clogged?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Coeur d alene, Id
well i know exhaust shops will check them for you i think even for free..generally when one is plugged on my cars it makes a ratteling sound/popping sound under acceleration..but if you dont have emissions where you live i would cut it out anyways makes for a free flowing exhaust
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Brazoria, Texas
well i know exhaust shops will check them for you i think even for free..generally when one is plugged on my cars it makes a ratteling sound/popping sound under acceleration..but if you dont have emissions where you live i would cut it out anyways makes for a free flowing exhaust