Newbie question
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New User
Joined: Sep 2012
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Newbie question
Hi Folks, I am new at trucks and am just starting to look for a 1970 ish F100.
First: what kind of mileage do these trucks get?
Second: how are they for towing a small camper?
Also" What are some things to look for/pitfalls?
I don't know much about cars or trucks, but I am planning on purchasing a non-restored, but working F100 to learn on...my boyfriend and I want to take a car repair course at the community college. I hear trucks of this age are fairly simple and easy to work on, so this may be a cool place to start.
Am I fooling myself? After looking, I am most interested in the Ford trucks.
First: what kind of mileage do these trucks get?
Second: how are they for towing a small camper?
Also" What are some things to look for/pitfalls?
I don't know much about cars or trucks, but I am planning on purchasing a non-restored, but working F100 to learn on...my boyfriend and I want to take a car repair course at the community college. I hear trucks of this age are fairly simple and easy to work on, so this may be a cool place to start.
Am I fooling myself? After looking, I am most interested in the Ford trucks.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, CA
A larger V8 (360, 390) will only get you about 9-10mpg on a good day. THere's a minor improvement on the smaller engines.
I've never towed with mine, but it shouldn't be a problem with a small camper. Just know you're towing with an older vehicle with drum brakes (unless you have disk brakes).
"Things to look for" is too general a question for me personally. Too many things to consider. Start with the basics, good condition, little rust, runs solid, etc.
They are simple to work on, no doubt. I have limited repair experience and do quite well with my F100.
Good luck and post a pic of your truck when y ou get it.
I've never towed with mine, but it shouldn't be a problem with a small camper. Just know you're towing with an older vehicle with drum brakes (unless you have disk brakes).
"Things to look for" is too general a question for me personally. Too many things to consider. Start with the basics, good condition, little rust, runs solid, etc.
They are simple to work on, no doubt. I have limited repair experience and do quite well with my F100.
Good luck and post a pic of your truck when y ou get it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 1
From: peru kansas
9-10 mpg from a 360/390 what are you doing pulling a trailer? lol i get 16 mpg out of a 360 with 200,000 miles on it and the 390 that was in it before got 12mpg not super stellar gas mileage but about normal for these motors i have found only reason to get 9-10 mpg is Heavy-foot syndrome or 4.11 gears at above normal highway speed or pulling a trailer don't be scared of FE's they are good motors
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 915
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From: Sweet home Alabama
Look under the cab at the floor and especially the braces (Cab frame rails) make sure they are solid, Stuff like a rusty floor is easy to fix but when it get into replacing the cab frame rails is a whole different animal, If the doors dont close correct or sag is a big indication some things wrong...Wiggle the doors to see if its just the hinges (not a big deal) but it might indicate a bad rust issue,Look under the bottom of the door to see if its not rusted through...Look at the frame see if you can see any bends from accident damage, Base of the windshield/ back window and cab drip rail...Your cab and frame are the most important everything else is repairable.
As for mileage Big V8 7-9mpg Will pull a trailer fine
small engine 289 302 10-12mpg will struggle a little
If you swap in a new motor or a simple diesel 14-25mpg
I have 1991 7.3IDI diesel and its getting 14.5 city 21 highway Will pull a 35' fifth wheel and a car behind it too ...LOL
As for mileage Big V8 7-9mpg Will pull a trailer fine
small engine 289 302 10-12mpg will struggle a little
If you swap in a new motor or a simple diesel 14-25mpg
I have 1991 7.3IDI diesel and its getting 14.5 city 21 highway Will pull a 35' fifth wheel and a car behind it too ...LOL
Thread Starter
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New User
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This is GREAT information. If anyone else has something to share, keep it coming! Thank you all for chiming in.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,092
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From: Fresno, CA.
Nobody mentioned the 300 six, so I will. If you find a 70 F-100 with the 300 in it, you will average 14-17 mpg if you don't drive like a lead foot. The six has enough torque to pull anything you might want to tow behind you. Simple to work on reliable as hell and darn near unbreakable. I agree about getting one with disc brakes if you are going to tow, but if you find one in good condition without discs you can always upgrade using 73-79 Ford truck discs. 
(And power steering too, make turning that truck MUCH easier)
Jim
(And power steering too, make turning that truck MUCH easier)Jim
Last edited by Nighteyez; Sep 6, 2012 at 11:52 AM. Reason: spelling errors
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 333
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From: Denver, Co
9-10 mpg from a 360/390 what are you doing pulling a trailer? lol i get 16 mpg out of a 360 with 200,000 miles on it and the 390 that was in it before got 12mpg not super stellar gas mileage but about normal for these motors i have found only reason to get 9-10 mpg is Heavy-foot syndrome or 4.11 gears at above normal highway speed or pulling a trailer don't be scared of FE's they are good motors
I get 8-10 on my 360 and i drive like an old woman
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
. So theirs room for improvement in your miles if your carb has not been re-jetted.. my 2cents orich
so i should go smaller than .052? lol well that wouldhave been nice to find out a while ago
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
I had a 1967 country wagon 390, I pulled the motor to use in my truck way back in 1978 the a carb 2b autolite with #0.48 size jets in it and, I got 19 miles to gallon on the drive home on the freeway 200 trip. But once, I rebuilding it and boring it to 0.30 over then put in my truck with camper about 3000lb more in weight that carb would no longer pull the truck until changing jets up to 0.56 . My f250 4x4 factory weight was 5,300+ cabover camper+1,600= 6,900 from about 3,800 ford wagon. This was from Los Angeles ca out to desert 200 mile run.
I do have some extra auto/motorcraft jets, I can look through for some smaller sizes for ya if you are interested in re-tuning the carb. These carb jets sizes are same as drill bit size, where as Holley jets are off about one size from a drill bit size.. But before doing any re-jetting check the color of your spark plugs so you don't run it to lean.. That's my story and sticking to it.
orich
I do have some extra auto/motorcraft jets, I can look through for some smaller sizes for ya if you are interested in re-tuning the carb. These carb jets sizes are same as drill bit size, where as Holley jets are off about one size from a drill bit size.. But before doing any re-jetting check the color of your spark plugs so you don't run it to lean.. That's my story and sticking to it.
orich