Will towing 6,000 pounds about 3000 miles a year kill my truck? I have a 2002 f250 with crew cab 4x4 and no idea what axle gears .
o yea 170k miles on it. I have had it for about 4 months with no issues.

 

Short answer...probably not...but we need more details on the truck...

 

The ratio is on the axle tag, small steel plate between screws on the pumpkin. Or there is a printed axle code on the tag in the drivers door frame, open the door and look right and down. 6k isn't alot of weight for the truck, but its maintenance that kills things. Do regular oil changes, change the diff lube with synthetics, make sure the trans fluid doesn't smell burnt and check it after each haul so you can catch clutch slippage and failure before it really fails and could get even more costly. Stock size tires? bigger tires are harder on the trans with 3.73's even worse if you have 3.55 (not sure if gassers got them, common on the lower RPM diesels). at 170k a 5.4 would be getting a little tired. The timing system might not be a bad idea to have changed, along with the rockers and followers, but then you head down the rabbit hole of where you stop, do you pop the heads and get a valve job done? well why not get the block honed and new rings, ah hell throw in new pistons. If you truly love the truck, and its in really good shape, a long block would be a good option rather than this then this, then this, just one big hit and your good for 150k more. Get a rebuild on the trans too if you go that route, make the drivetrain bulletproof for a good long time. If you have the diesel (be 7.3 in 02) your just breaking in the motor, but the trans is sussy. Get a good trans service, maybe a new convertor, and haul away.

 

And your engine is the ...?
Look on the driver side door jamb for the sticker that shows the axle code. Also you could put the truck on a lift and count the driveshaft and tires rotations to give your the gear ratio.
Is the truck stock height or lifted?
Stock size tires or bigger?

 

Check/rebuild suspension, brakes, and steering. Catch up the maintenance, flush and change ALL fluids. Replace brake hoses (and lines if rusty). Make sure tires are 6 year old or less. Then start towing your 6000 pounds.

 

Why would it, exactly?

6k lbs ain't much for an F250. And 3k per year is very little. Really the amount per year doesn't much matter - the truck either can or cannot safely pull the load whether it's 100 miles or 3000 miles.

I'm very confused, the whole thread is very strange.....

But get a functioning TBC whatever you do. Once you get GOING you want to be able to STOP safely

 

I've known guys that tow 6000 pounds every work day, not a huge load for these trucks.

 

I agree. Towing this weight that many miles seems like a no brainer.

 

2002 F250 extendedcab 5.4 with automatic transmission. Not sure about axle gears. No tag on the pumpkin but the door tag says axle 31.

 

You have a 3.73 open differential, IIRC.

6000 pounds will be a cake walk, assuming your truck is mechanically sound.

 

Agreed 31 is a 3.73 one wheel peeler. Down the road look into a TrueTrac torsen differential for the rear.

 

Man, I would hope not. Sheesh, that's what these trucks were made for. And I doubt you're anywhere near the weight limits for that truck. The miles are up there, but certainly not crazy high. Just make sure all the maintenance stuff is taken care of and you should be golden.

 

170k ain't a lot for a 2V, and the fact that it's a gutless (but reliable) 2V means it shouldn't have strained the 4R100 much so far..

I personally wouldn't want to pull 6k with a 2V 5.4 crew cab 4x4 3.73 because it'll be slow as molasses but there's absolutely nothing unsafe or otherwise unreasonable about it. On the bright side OP will have plenty of time to see the scenery or get thru dozens of audio books

 

Thanks. Just looked it up in the owner manual. 7300 is the max on my truck. I might be as much as 1500 under that.

 

Thanks. I appreciate it.