Guys I don't stop in here often, but would like some heads up advice. My 66 F100 is eating my lunch at the gas pumps. I am looking at some options. One is going to a small truck (Ranger my first choice) and pulling a light trailer.

I am looking 2000-2008 year model, V6, auto maybe extended cab. Loaded trailer 1000-1200lbs max loaded.

My son in college drives a 94 2.3 5spd, I know it won't pull the hat off your head, so I don't want that.

I know about the 3.0L & The 4.0L but that's about it. I will be keeping the 66, what advice can you guys give on a work truck that will pull the trailer, and get decent mpgs?

thanks



John

 

I love my 2001 4.0L. I've had it for over 7 years. On the highway I average about 20-21 MPG.

I have hauled many loads over the years. I don't really keep track of the weight but it's usually under 1000 lbs. But I know I can haul more.

I can't speak much on the 3.0L, except it won't haul as well as the 4.0, but I also don't think the mileage is as good, but it's not much worse

 

4.0L with the tow & payload package for hauling & towing, especially if your going to lug & tug in the hills or mountains. The 2000 Ranger had a pushrod 4.0L, the 2001 & later got the OHC 4.0L with more HP, about the same torque, BUT is more thirsty for fuel. I get 24.8 highway, 17-19 city, 17.7 towing my 175 Bass Tracker over the Blue Ridge Mountains, with the vehicle in my signature.

The 5 speed auto tranny with the 4.0L makes towing a pleasure & also offers up the max rating in trailer weight to be towed, or bed weight to be hauled. The 5 speed auto is relaible if we use & maintain it as Ford has specified.

The 3.0L, affectionately called the 3slow, will last forever, taking all kinds of abuse except over heating. It'll haul & tow ok in the flatlands, but will use about as much gas doing it as the pushrod 4.0L, but if you have hills or mountains, opt for the 4.0L pushrod engine for the best combo of mpg & tow ommph. If you like to go fast quickly, then the OHC 4.0L will get er done nicely, but will burn more fuel doing it. Both 4.0L engines are reliable if maintained as Ford has specified.

The long wheel base chassis with the extra cab is a nice feature if you need more cabin space & the 4 door model makes it a lot more accessable & useable, but extra cabs come in 6 food bed only. If you opt for a standard cab, you might be able to find a long wheel base one with the 7 foot bed, if thats really needed.

Some thoughts for pondering, let us know what you end up with.

 

Pawpaw, No mountains for me, I will be working in the greater Raleigh NC area, some hills but no big ones. I had borrowed a buds 99 Chevy Silverado with a V6 auto OD & that thing gets 23 or so mpg. I was driving it on the big road at 70 mph & it is tacking 1600 rpms. Hard to believe. I love my 66, but feeding it is breaking the wallet.




John

 

I've been from Roanoke down to Concorde Bass Pro Shops twice, via 220/85, driving the speed limit & turned in 24.8 mpg both times. It's stock & set up as noted in my signature & it tacs about 2450 at 70mph on I-85. So its possible to get fairly good mpg with the pushrod 4.0L 4X2 with the 5 speed auto tranny & still be able to lug & tug a decent load.

 

I have a 99 ranger 4x4 w/3.0L. I am very pleased with it daily driver 117mi to work 117 back home. Avg. 24.8 mpg 286,000mi mostly freeway. Beefed up rear suspension use 10ply tires and have hauled 2900lbs in it. Retired now and the mpg is not that important so I'm looking at swapping engines to a 4L. I am a machinist and made new lock out hubs for it. not about to get rid of it.

 

I have towed 2000+ pounds with my 2.3 without any problems. But it's loud when you're doing highway speed and the fuel economy has been a major disappointment. Definitely get the v6.


What kind of transmission do you have in that old truck?

 

I pitched the 3 spd & installed a C6.




John

 

Fully loaded my trailer's well over 2000 pounds, so I'll turn the OD off, and then I'm getting around 16 mpg on the highway. If I had to use it every day, I think a stick shift would be the way to go, you could probably get away with pulling 1000 pounds in 5th gear, and with a small v6 keep the RPM's down.

Definitely get the extended cab. I have a regular cab and there's very little room behind the seat, and it's not comfortable. It would be nice to put the seat back.