Questions
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Questions
I have a few questions. Ok im 16 and fixing my 68 F100 camper model. I plan to pull the gas tank out from behind the seat and add one from a ford ranger into the bed with a wooden box covering it. Then in the place of the old gas tank ill add a speaker box with my 10s . Will this be safe? i dont figure it could be much worse then a gas tank inside the cab.
Also can i take the power break setup off a ford ranger spindles, master cylender all of it and chance it over to my F100 also will this be enough to stop the truck?
Any thoughts would be great
(edit) I have heard that by adding a 2 barrel carb i can almost double my gas mileage is that true? if not what all can i do to increase my gas mileage on the 6 cylender
Also can i take the power break setup off a ford ranger spindles, master cylender all of it and chance it over to my F100 also will this be enough to stop the truck?
Any thoughts would be great
(edit) I have heard that by adding a 2 barrel carb i can almost double my gas mileage is that true? if not what all can i do to increase my gas mileage on the 6 cylender
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Re: Questions
I'll try to answer these in order. There are a lot of people removing the tank from the cab and relocating it elsewhere. I saw a link in the tech articles for a tank conversion for a '53 F100. While it's not a '68, you may get a few new ideas by reading that article. Replacing the gas tank with a pair of boxed 10's sounds pretty dangerous to me...
There's a link in the tech section for a disc brake conversion for '65-'72 F100's.
As far as doubling the mileage of your six by adding a two bbl carb, I wouldn't get your hopes up. About the best way to improve mileage that I know of is to do a full tune-up with a carb rebuild if necessary, remove every unnecessary ounce of weight from the truck, check the tires for proper air pressure once a week, doesn't matter if the tires are new or not, and most importantly, drive sensibly.
There's a link in the tech section for a disc brake conversion for '65-'72 F100's.
As far as doubling the mileage of your six by adding a two bbl carb, I wouldn't get your hopes up. About the best way to improve mileage that I know of is to do a full tune-up with a carb rebuild if necessary, remove every unnecessary ounce of weight from the truck, check the tires for proper air pressure once a week, doesn't matter if the tires are new or not, and most importantly, drive sensibly.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Urbandale, Iowa
I can certainly understand folks wanting to remove the gas tank from the cab, and there are good reasons for doing so. The most compelling for me is the gas that always burps out when filling, or leaks out when parked on a tilt, etc. Another might be the noise from sloshing and the float banging around in the tank. Fumes in the cab indicate a seal needs to be replaced but that's an easy enough fix. Wanting the space behind the seat for storage or even 10' subs is a good one as well.
That said, when was the last time you heard of anyone blowing themselves up in one of these trucks? Or being blown up in a crash? Of course, I'm assuming that's what is meant when folks cite "safety" as a concern.
Just playing devil's advocate here......
That said, when was the last time you heard of anyone blowing themselves up in one of these trucks? Or being blown up in a crash? Of course, I'm assuming that's what is meant when folks cite "safety" as a concern.
Just playing devil's advocate here......
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
As for safe........as long as you mount the tank SECURELY, it will be okay. No worse than the aux tanks you can buy anyway. The wood would just cover it and make it look nice.
As for brake change over. I don't think anything from a newer Ranger will fit these trucks. Does yours have power brakes now?? Maybe installing just a booster will help for now. I know there are kits to add disc brakes, either factory or aftermarket pieces.
As for gas mileage. Depending on what you are getting now, just a simple tune up will help sometimes. What gear ratio does your rear end have? It is has steep gears, then maybe a change will help. That is if you don't plan on any heavy pulling.
Larry
As for brake change over. I don't think anything from a newer Ranger will fit these trucks. Does yours have power brakes now?? Maybe installing just a booster will help for now. I know there are kits to add disc brakes, either factory or aftermarket pieces.
As for gas mileage. Depending on what you are getting now, just a simple tune up will help sometimes. What gear ratio does your rear end have? It is has steep gears, then maybe a change will help. That is if you don't plan on any heavy pulling.
Larry
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake,WA USA
I have mounted a 60gal tank in the back of my bed. It came out of a 70 Ford bus. I built an aluminum shell around it with 1" of insulation between it and the tank to keep the sun off of it. I coated the aluminum cover with that roll on bed liner stuff then trimmed all the edges with aluminum angle. It looks really nice. Being the tank came out of a ford bus the sender matched up with my gauge ohm requirements. There are two draw backs: first, I lost bed space and second it costs to much to fill it. All in all, I like the mod.
Freightrian, I can send you some picks if you want to get some ideas. The tank you can't see, only the cover and filler neck. Email me.
Freightrian, I can send you some picks if you want to get some ideas. The tank you can't see, only the cover and filler neck. Email me.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Here's the link for the disc brake upgrade:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...conversion.php
https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...conversion.php
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
One of the "secrets" to good fuel economy on the 6 is to drive it slower. I have owned several and most of them did real good at 55 but push them over 60 and they would go from 20ish to 14. Of course it needs to be healthy and in a good state of tune. Wider tires will also cut down the mileage. I lost at least 1 1/2 mpg when I went from the original size skinny tires to 31x10.50s on my 72 with the 300-6.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: charlotte, nc
I lost at least 1 1/2 mpg when I went from the original size skinny tires to 31x10.50s on my 72 with the 300-6.
I was wondering if keeping the stock size tires in front and wider tires in back would be a good compromise for steering effort. I'm not wanting to put PS on mine (yet anyway). Any benefits, or should I keep them all the same?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: charlotte, nc
gas mileage
If you can't get to the tuneup just yet, at least check your airfilter. Also check the air pressure in your tires, some people like it low for a softer ride. If your carb looks cruddy, get some aerosol carb cleaner and clean it up, plus it probably wouldn't hurt to run some fuel system cleaner through the gas tank. Check the PVC valve (if it has one) I have cleaned them with carb cleaner before. Take the PVC off and shake it, if it doesn't rattle, clean or replace it. You may have already done these things, but thought it wouldn't hurt to mention it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Dotcentral, I was putting power steering on within days after the wider tires. It was tolerabl with the skinny truck tires, but I was almost ripping the steering column out to park ect. with the 31s. They were BF Goodrich all terrain T As and were the best tires I ever had. They rode nice, got great traction even in snow and went over 60,000 miles without ever having a flat.
I don't see why you couldn't run stock tires up front with some wider ones on back. Also I think someone else mentioned keeping the air pressure up in the fronts. This will help it steer easier too. I always ran about 28 in my TAs for a smoother ride and better winter traction. If I was hauling firewood or other heavy loads I would up it to 45 in the rears.
I don't see why you couldn't run stock tires up front with some wider ones on back. Also I think someone else mentioned keeping the air pressure up in the fronts. This will help it steer easier too. I always ran about 28 in my TAs for a smoother ride and better winter traction. If I was hauling firewood or other heavy loads I would up it to 45 in the rears.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 34
From: S/W Virginia
im 17 and i have a 240 six in mine and the gas milage sucks. i get 9 miles to the gallon and its real hard to pay for it with a part time job. my advice is to go to the 302 with a higher speed rear-end. my truck has a 4:11 in it. my mustang has a 289 with a 2:73 rearend and gets good mileage
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
I have a 240 with 4.11s and it gets rotten mileage too. I was told by an old Ford mechanic that it may be a leaking economizer valve in the carb, but my carb was a recent reman when I got the pickup and It was rebuilt again about a year later and the mileage never really changed.
In a pickup you can expect a 302 to get a best of maybe 16-17, but most will average less.
In a pickup you can expect a 302 to get a best of maybe 16-17, but most will average less.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
The older trucks most all have deep gears out back with the 6 banger to make it work easier AND there was no overdrive trannies. This basically equals LOSEY MILEAGE. Newer trucks with the 6 cyl all have deep first gear trannies and highway gears out back, plus overdrive in the tranny which = GREAT mileage. It accels good and cruises effortlessly.
With only 3 gears to chose from, they did not have much choice in ratio's out back-DEEP (3.73 or 4.11). Not exactly mileage gears. My friends 81 6cyl had 2.75 gears out back with 4 spd/overdrive. It ran smooth on the highway, but it would not pass a snail. NO power at all,unless you downshifted it. It was a terror to drive in my eyes.
Larry
With only 3 gears to chose from, they did not have much choice in ratio's out back-DEEP (3.73 or 4.11). Not exactly mileage gears. My friends 81 6cyl had 2.75 gears out back with 4 spd/overdrive. It ran smooth on the highway, but it would not pass a snail. NO power at all,unless you downshifted it. It was a terror to drive in my eyes.
Larry