Please help
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New User
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Please help
Hey guys,
I have a 1981 F250 Ranger Ext. Cab, 8ft. Bed, 4x4, 4-Speed Manual with a 351m. It has a 6" lift, and 35" BF Goodrich A/T. I know nothing about this truck. I'm trying everyday to do more and more research, but i work all the time. My main goal is to make it run as powerful and efficiently as possible for pulling trailers to cruising down the high way. I know i sound like a total noob (i'm a 2000's car guy) but I'm not dumb and am a fast learner; i'd greatly appreciate any guidance. Thank you in advance!
I have a 1981 F250 Ranger Ext. Cab, 8ft. Bed, 4x4, 4-Speed Manual with a 351m. It has a 6" lift, and 35" BF Goodrich A/T. I know nothing about this truck. I'm trying everyday to do more and more research, but i work all the time. My main goal is to make it run as powerful and efficiently as possible for pulling trailers to cruising down the high way. I know i sound like a total noob (i'm a 2000's car guy) but I'm not dumb and am a fast learner; i'd greatly appreciate any guidance. Thank you in advance!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Welcome to FTE! Yes, pics please, especially since they'd be of an '81. My favorite year - I have two of them.
Tell us more about your M. I ask because I'm familiar with the engine and have found that they aren't very stout in stock form, can be much stronger with some work, as Rusty's has had, and convert fairly easily to a 400, which can be built into a beast - as Dad's is soon to be.
I have a new web site up that might help you, called Garysgaragemahal, and that link takes you to the 1980 - 86 section. And, within that section are a few pages on the 351M/400 that might interest you.
Tell us more about your M. I ask because I'm familiar with the engine and have found that they aren't very stout in stock form, can be much stronger with some work, as Rusty's has had, and convert fairly easily to a 400, which can be built into a beast - as Dad's is soon to be.
I have a new web site up that might help you, called Garysgaragemahal, and that link takes you to the 1980 - 86 section. And, within that section are a few pages on the 351M/400 that might interest you.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,830
Likes: 4,096
From: Angier, NC
Welcome to the forum.
I can tell you that 6" lift & 35 tires is not a good combo for pulling trailers wit any weaight.
The 6" makes the truck unstable + trailer = crash!
35 tires if gearing not changed will make the truck a dog then add trailer = dead dog.
Also the 35'S put a lot of stress on axles & bearing and the BIG ONE BRAKES!
Lowe it to stock, stock tires then build up the power plant for towing.
Dave - - - -
I can tell you that 6" lift & 35 tires is not a good combo for pulling trailers wit any weaight.
The 6" makes the truck unstable + trailer = crash!
35 tires if gearing not changed will make the truck a dog then add trailer = dead dog.
Also the 35'S put a lot of stress on axles & bearing and the BIG ONE BRAKES!
Lowe it to stock, stock tires then build up the power plant for towing.
Dave - - - -
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
There's a lot of truth in that. One thing you'll learn about FTE - we don't tell you what you want to see, just the facts, Jack.
Case in point on the power. I helped my neighbor put a lift kit and 35" tires on a Jeep TJ with the big six. And, it was a DOG! He had to run it floored much of the time on the highway, and the MPG was terrible. He finally went to 4.10 or 4.56 gears and wished he'd have done that when we put the tires on. It was night and day better. Not only did it accelerate much better, but the MPG's were better as well since he wasn't running it on the floor all the time.
Case in point on the power. I helped my neighbor put a lift kit and 35" tires on a Jeep TJ with the big six. And, it was a DOG! He had to run it floored much of the time on the highway, and the MPG was terrible. He finally went to 4.10 or 4.56 gears and wished he'd have done that when we put the tires on. It was night and day better. Not only did it accelerate much better, but the MPG's were better as well since he wasn't running it on the floor all the time.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: Jackson's Point ON CANADA
I have a new web site up that might help you, called Garysgaragemahal,
and that link takes you to the 1980 - 86 section.
and that link takes you to the 1980 - 86 section.
Wow ... Thank you !
I just spent the last 15 minutes browsing your new website.
Thank you for sharing that wealth of priceless information.
I already know that it will quickly become my first "go to" resource.
Mookie
.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Happy to help, Mookie. Glad you like it. Please let me know of issues you find or things you'd like to see on it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,239
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From: Northeast Ohio USA
Agreed
Welcome to the forum.
I can tell you that 6" lift & 35 tires is not a good combo for pulling trailers wit any weaight.
The 6" makes the truck unstable + trailer = crash!
35 tires if gearing not changed will make the truck a dog then add trailer = dead dog.
Also the 35'S put a lot of stress on axles & bearing and the BIG ONE BRAKES!
Lowe it to stock, stock tires then build up the power plant for towing.
Dave - - - -
I can tell you that 6" lift & 35 tires is not a good combo for pulling trailers wit any weaight.
The 6" makes the truck unstable + trailer = crash!
35 tires if gearing not changed will make the truck a dog then add trailer = dead dog.
Also the 35'S put a lot of stress on axles & bearing and the BIG ONE BRAKES!
Lowe it to stock, stock tires then build up the power plant for towing.
Dave - - - -
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New User
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Hey thanks everyone for the input. I just have to fix the slack in the steering, front wheel assembly, and the gauge cluster. Looking to just rip out the 6" lift and go stock height with was decent tires for a while until i can get her highway worthy.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
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