Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

In A Bind

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:15 PM
  #1  
HiBoy'81's Avatar
HiBoy'81
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
In A Bind

Hey guys, i know the first thing you're gonna tell me to do is search. But i need to get my truck on the road "yesterday" for work. Its an '81 ext. cab, longed with a 351m. All i need is for it to be reliable at 75-80mph highway, and non-egressive city driving. Anything with help, suggested rear ends, tire sizes, cam, lifter, rocker sizes, carb sizes, anything. thank you. Everything is stock by the way.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:16 PM
  #2  
mountain dewd's Avatar
mountain dewd
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 7
From: O-O-O-Oreilly's
What rear gears you running? I am assuming you don't have overdrive? 3:50s and 33s will get you a decent highway cruise speed. Stock motor and trans should be fine.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:17 PM
  #3  
HiBoy'81's Avatar
HiBoy'81
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I Am on a budgest some what but need reliability. Nothing too crazy. specific parts would be a great help.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:18 PM
  #4  
HiBoy'81's Avatar
HiBoy'81
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
4 speed with a granny low. no idea on gears, just need opinions on what i SHOULD be running to achieve these goals
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:18 PM
  #5  
mountain dewd's Avatar
mountain dewd
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 7
From: O-O-O-Oreilly's
What kind of shape is your truck in? How many miles, and how does it run and drive as it sets now?
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:19 PM
  #6  
mountain dewd's Avatar
mountain dewd
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 7
From: O-O-O-Oreilly's
You likely have 4.10 gears, being that it is a 3/4 ton. Does your truck have a tach? As it sets now, your truck will be most comfortable cruising at 70mph max. Slightly larger tires will help a bit.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:21 PM
  #7  
HiBoy'81's Avatar
HiBoy'81
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
none of the gauges work. (next project)
 
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2015 | 04:04 AM
  #8  
ArdWrknTrk's Avatar
ArdWrknTrk
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Club FTE Silver Member

1:1 in top and 4.10's = there's no way that truck is going to be comfortable (or safe) at 80mph.

Tires large enough to keep it around 3, 000 rpm are not going to fit in the wheel wells and will rub the frame in turns.

The 335 series engine *can* be built for horsepower and rpms but it won't be cheap or happen "yesterday".

Read some of GaryLewis' epic threads or go ask the question in the 335 section of the performance engines subforum.

I know you don't want to hear it but scrape some cash together and buy a more modern truck with an overdrive transmission.
The newer engine will be more happy at the higher revs you're asking of it.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 31, 2015 | 10:43 AM
  #9  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk
1:1 in top and 4.10's = there's no way that truck is going to be comfortable (or safe) at 80mph.

Tires large enough to keep it around 3, 000 rpm are not going to fit in the wheel wells and will rub the frame in turns.

The 335 series engine *can* be built for horsepower and rpms but it won't be cheap or happen "yesterday".

Read some of GaryLewis' epic threads or go ask the question in the 335 section of the performance engines subforum.

I know you don't want to hear it but scrape some cash together and buy a more modern truck with an overdrive transmission.
The newer engine will be more happy at the higher revs you're asking of it.
Aye, these things were designed to operate at 55 MPH (the National Speed Limit at the time) and the 335-series engine - particularly the 400 - can be an excellent torque-producing engine for pulling heavy loads at slow speeds but isn't at all designed to be an 80 MPH highway cruiser.

And something built during the Carter/Reagan era is by definition not going to be as reliable as something 30 years newer... plastic becomes brittle, rubber dry rots, electrical connections become corroded, TTB bushings and suspension joints wear out, parking brake cables rust together, frames crack, gas tank senders stop working, etc.
 
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2015 | 03:49 PM
  #10  
maytag906's Avatar
maytag906
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Northern Indiana USA
Originally Posted by HiBoy'81
none of the gauges work. (next project)
If it were I, that he first step. Before I started changing things.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bull jr
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
22
Jul 15, 2016 06:05 PM
Saber123316
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jun 23, 2010 02:11 PM
Lukes66
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Aug 6, 2009 07:19 AM
WATTSUP!
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jan 26, 2007 09:42 AM
MEPR
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Apr 22, 2006 01:59 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:42 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE