302 for towing
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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302 for towing
I had never owned a 302 but drove my dads 95 f150 in high school. I used to burn the tires at red lights and around every corner on 31" tires. I recently purchased my 94 f150 4x4 with e40d. Im on 3.55 gears with 33x12.5 tires. The truck really is a turd. On hard rainy days i cant do a burnout or slide around turns. Towing my two jetskis will slowly hit 65mph but constantly downshifts because it cant keep up. I can go faster but fuel milage gets worse due to no overdrive. This is 850lbs worth of jetskis on a small trailer.
I havent checked compression yet but will in a few days. Im looking at a 26ft camper and plan to be hauling my jeep on a 18ft flatbed. As it sits i dont think the truck would move either without the gas pedal on the floor.
Im looking for someone who has a similar setup with a strong motor to get some insite. Im curious if gearing is hurting me that bad or if a worn 250k mile motor is my culprit. Even after a rebuild, i would hate for the truck to still not tow worth a frick!
I havent checked compression yet but will in a few days. Im looking at a 26ft camper and plan to be hauling my jeep on a 18ft flatbed. As it sits i dont think the truck would move either without the gas pedal on the floor.
Im looking for someone who has a similar setup with a strong motor to get some insite. Im curious if gearing is hurting me that bad or if a worn 250k mile motor is my culprit. Even after a rebuild, i would hate for the truck to still not tow worth a frick!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
What do you mean no overdrive? The E4OD certainly has an OD ratio not that it is helping you in this case. Have you tried towing with OD locked out or is that what you're talking about?
With 33" tires your effective gear ratio is close to what it would be with 3.08 gears and the stock tires, and that simply won't do with a 5.0 under the hood. I suspect your motor is tired but even if it was fresh a 5.0 truck needs 4.10 gears minimum to be an effective hauler and that is with nothing bigger than 31" tire. So you need to go with even deeper gears or downsize the tires and do something with that motor.
With 33" tires your effective gear ratio is close to what it would be with 3.08 gears and the stock tires, and that simply won't do with a 5.0 under the hood. I suspect your motor is tired but even if it was fresh a 5.0 truck needs 4.10 gears minimum to be an effective hauler and that is with nothing bigger than 31" tire. So you need to go with even deeper gears or downsize the tires and do something with that motor.
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Junior User
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I have OD, but to maintain my 60-65mph while towing the jetskis, it constantly down shifts out of OD and my rpm goes screaming just to keep up. Im assuming this is more of a gearing issue.
Tires are brand new and i love the size and look of 33's. I dont mind sacrificing a little. Ill get some compression numbers tomorrow and trans pressure specs if i have the right fittings.
Anyone here running 33's with a lower ratio? What are you running and how is towing and highway speeds?
Tires are brand new and i love the size and look of 33's. I dont mind sacrificing a little. Ill get some compression numbers tomorrow and trans pressure specs if i have the right fittings.
Anyone here running 33's with a lower ratio? What are you running and how is towing and highway speeds?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2015
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I know this aint my thread but what is the power band on a 5.0 in our generation of trucks? I get worried driving over 2500 rpms because its loud (im sounding like a woman)
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Junior User
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I was referring to the rpm scream as horrible fuel mileage. I guess thats where i will sacrifice with bigger tires.
What ratio do you recommend to keep the 33's? I would rather sacrifice a little bit of low end and be able to cruise at 70mph
What ratio do you recommend to keep the 33's? I would rather sacrifice a little bit of low end and be able to cruise at 70mph
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
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From: Central Wisconsin
Don't bother rebuilding that garbage. A 5.0 has no business being in a truck that's going to be used as a truck. Put a 351w in it and 4.11 (or 4.56) gears and you'll have something.
If you're dead set on keeping that 302, put 4.56 gears in it. That'll be closer to 4.11 gears with the 33" tires figured in. Your power band is higher on the 302 than you probably realize. And getting into the powerband means you'll be using your fuel more efficiently.
If you're dead set on keeping that 302, put 4.56 gears in it. That'll be closer to 4.11 gears with the 33" tires figured in. Your power band is higher on the 302 than you probably realize. And getting into the powerband means you'll be using your fuel more efficiently.
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Junior User
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I really didnt want this truck to be have major fabrication work which is why i was going back to a 302. Just did a ton of reading and i believe 351 is the way to go. Two questions i couldnt find solid answers to. Does the facory 302 fuel pumps supply enough for the 351? Do all accessories and brackets mount up?
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I really didnt want this truck to be have major fabrication work which is why i was going back to a 302. Just did a ton of reading and i believe 351 is the way to go. Two questions i couldnt find solid answers to. Does the facory 302 fuel pumps supply enough for the 351? Do all accessories and brackets mount up?
2)no, deck height is different between the blocks, brackets are different sizes between them.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,775
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302 towing is an oxy moron.
the cost and work is virtually the same whens wapping 302 to 351. junkyard is the source for any bracketry you may need, if of course the donor 351 doesn't have what you need on it already.
the cost and work is virtually the same whens wapping 302 to 351. junkyard is the source for any bracketry you may need, if of course the donor 351 doesn't have what you need on it already.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
ANY time you hook to the trailer take it out of OD. It is THAT simple
3.55 gears, a 302 and 33" tires are what is killing you.
Either go back to stock size tires, put 4.56 gears, or put a different engine in and AND still re-gear or put smaller tires on
My 460 supercharged truck has 35s, 3.55s and I NEVER use OD because it just bogs it right out when towing
Unless you have a diesel. 3.55 are NOT for any type of towing
3.55 gears, a 302 and 33" tires are what is killing you.
Either go back to stock size tires, put 4.56 gears, or put a different engine in and AND still re-gear or put smaller tires on
My 460 supercharged truck has 35s, 3.55s and I NEVER use OD because it just bogs it right out when towing
Unless you have a diesel. 3.55 are NOT for any type of towing
