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?

 

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)

 

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.

 

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)

 

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

 

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

Do you have any numbers on its gas mileage?

 

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.

 

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!!!!