Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

What shall I buy?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 26, 2001 | 06:57 PM
  #1  
big4294x4's Avatar
big4294x4
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
20 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
What shall I buy?

I just built a big ford, 429 big block. The gas mileage is absolutely awfull. So, I need something that gets around 20 mpg and can tow about 6000 lbs. 2wd would be best as I am limited to around $3500 or less. A car would be just fine also. Any ideas?
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2001 | 07:27 PM
  #2  
KevinT's Avatar
KevinT
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
What shall I buy?

I would think that a 1996 regular cab dually F-250 with a power stroke diesal would fit the bill, I've got a friend with a 1997 crew cab single wheel rear end and he gets 18 mpg combines city/highway

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2001 | 07:45 PM
  #3  
cgl's Avatar
cgl
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
What shall I buy?

You ain't gonna find a 96 powerstroke for $3500. I'm looking at a 97 F-250 X-Cab, Shortbed, 5sp 4x4 for $16,000. Those Diesel's are way expensive. You should be able to get a 6.9 non turbo pretty cheap.
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2001 | 07:52 PM
  #4  
KevinT's Avatar
KevinT
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
What shall I buy?

Oh sorry, I overlooked his price limit, hehe whoops

1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2001 | 12:37 AM
  #5  
canadianfordman's Avatar
canadianfordman
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
From: Campbell River, BC Canada
What shall I buy?

I just sold a 1985 F250 6.9L diesel and It got more gas milage then my 1986 F150 302. The diesel could tow anything you put near it. I sold it for $4100 Canadian although the body was gone but the engine only had 160,000 km on it. I would suggest one of these. If you don't care what the truck looks like you could probably get one for pretty cheap, I have heard the bodies don't last on these trucks.

Die hard Ford
Canadian Ford Man
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2001 | 05:29 AM
  #6  
big4294x4's Avatar
big4294x4
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
20 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
What shall I buy?

I really dont care what the body looks like at all.

Do you have any numbers on its gas mileage?
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2001 | 10:41 AM
  #7  
dermeister's Avatar
dermeister
Junior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Sparwood, BC
What shall I buy?

You could also look in to an F-150 2wd running a 4.9L/300ci Inline Six engine, with a good transmission and rear end. These get pretty good gas milage, and good torque for towing. It depends on what you're looking for in speed as well... these will tow like heck at lower speeds, but up above 110 KPH they don't have as much guts, or at least with the older 4 speeds. Just something to consider.

Der Meister
'82 F-150 2wd, 300-I6, 4 speed low transmission, and a nice $200 set of chains that will take you anywhere.
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2001 | 02:56 PM
  #8  
paulg's Avatar
paulg
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
What shall I buy?

I have to come to the defense of the inline 6's(not picking on dermeister). These engines will tow damn near anything you want them to tow, within proper weight limits. Because it has a low rpm torque range you need to gear them properly to make them work. In fact last week I towed a friends F350-LB from Albuquerque,NM to Santa Fe,NM (all up hill) and averaged 65mph (M5OD)! Of course I have modified my truck like a newbie and I also have 4.10s in the differential. 4.10s will suck gas though! Right now I get between 11-13mph. Which leads my back to the concept of you need to gear them correctly to give them the pep most people don't know about. My friend wasn't impressed, I was as giddy as a school girl, because he knew the inline 6 would have no problem. I too believed the 6er's weren't good for highway towing but I proved myself wrong. GET ONE, BUILD IT, LOVE IT!!!!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

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

 Brett Foote
story-5

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Brett Foote
story-9

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

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Feb 27, 2001 | 03:24 PM
  #9  
fatforty's Avatar
fatforty
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
What shall I buy?

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MRUGG
General Automotive Discussion
18
Jun 10, 2011 12:41 PM
89ford73
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Sep 7, 2007 12:56 AM
gotdiesel
Texas Chapter
3
Oct 13, 2004 07:13 PM
wera racer
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
15
Oct 7, 2004 10:13 AM
MuchToMyDelight
General NON-Automotive Conversation
27
Nov 5, 2003 12:13 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:16 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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