Which option is best
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8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Should clarify that towing will likely be once every two months.
For those of you who have built or own these which of these are best for daily driver and occasional towing and what would be needed from a performance part wise?
300I6
351W
400
For those of you who have built or own these which of these are best for daily driver and occasional towing and what would be needed from a performance part wise?
300I6
351W
400
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 406
Likes: 248
The 400 with an intake and rv cam only is about 300hp and 400+ torque from 2,500 on up.
honestly if I was in your shoes I would buy an older 5.9 Cummins truck. 17-19 mpg…tow what ya want etc.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,960
Likes: 4,129
From: Angier, NC
I can tell you the 300 six is ok for pulling a 20' enclosed trailer no more than 50 miles 1 way with my 81 F100, no air bags needed.
But with the 2.75 rear gear when you hit a hill she slows down and I have to drop half a gear, I can split all my gears with the over drive I have and NP435, I also dont go on the highway with the trailer.
I love the 300 for around town but if I had to do more towing it would get replaced with a 351W or larger and a larger truck like a F250 as a min.
As for the diesel with over drive auto I bought one new in 86, non ford, because I was pulling a 6k open deck car trailer and it did great, it was also my DD but diesel fuel was cheap back then.
If I did not need to pull the trailer each weekend I down think I would of bought it. The replacement was a non-ford but gas motor with a 360 and over drive auto.
Both above were SUV's with low geared axles for pulling, the gas motor it did hurt the MPG empty as a DD.
Again if I was going to be pulling a heavy load every weekend then go diesel but 3 or 4 time a year I would go gas and maybe not the largest as that would hurt the MPG when used as a DD.
Dave ----
But with the 2.75 rear gear when you hit a hill she slows down and I have to drop half a gear, I can split all my gears with the over drive I have and NP435, I also dont go on the highway with the trailer.
I love the 300 for around town but if I had to do more towing it would get replaced with a 351W or larger and a larger truck like a F250 as a min.
As for the diesel with over drive auto I bought one new in 86, non ford, because I was pulling a 6k open deck car trailer and it did great, it was also my DD but diesel fuel was cheap back then.
If I did not need to pull the trailer each weekend I down think I would of bought it. The replacement was a non-ford but gas motor with a 360 and over drive auto.
Both above were SUV's with low geared axles for pulling, the gas motor it did hurt the MPG empty as a DD.
Again if I was going to be pulling a heavy load every weekend then go diesel but 3 or 4 time a year I would go gas and maybe not the largest as that would hurt the MPG when used as a DD.
Dave ----
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 2,621
From: The Shenandoah Valley
will be daily driver so whatever is needs will need comfortable do 75-80 and be driven 50 miles a day.
i will also need to pull a trailer when loaded will be about 6k pounds.
I am not dead set on diesel. I know there are a lot of fans of 300I6 which im good with if can get power up there to 300ish
as far as amount time dedicated that wont be issue. I can avg 20-40 hours week no problem over course of a year
i will also need to pull a trailer when loaded will be about 6k pounds.
I am not dead set on diesel. I know there are a lot of fans of 300I6 which im good with if can get power up there to 300ish
as far as amount time dedicated that wont be issue. I can avg 20-40 hours week no problem over course of a year
Thread Starter
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8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Def dont have budget for two trucks. I imagine fitting the 6bt 5.9 cummins in a 79 F150/F250 may be tight and cant put a 4BT in a truck. Thats a no go. Not sure how those engine dimensions differ from 300I6.
I am leaning towards 351W and modify it to that 300HP range. Will have enough get up and go when needed. I am now in late 30s and accelerating and driving fast are way behind me. For those running these older engines is EFI really worth the cost. I see a lot on sniper system and im not opposed to do it but want to make sure there is a good benefit of doing so.
Are there certain parts everyone using for power increase on 351? I would bore .030 over at minimum and other upgraded interior components but are there some better than others? In looking at most of the 77-79 F150/F250 for sale here they have 351W or 400 engines.
I am leaning towards 351W and modify it to that 300HP range. Will have enough get up and go when needed. I am now in late 30s and accelerating and driving fast are way behind me. For those running these older engines is EFI really worth the cost. I see a lot on sniper system and im not opposed to do it but want to make sure there is a good benefit of doing so.
Are there certain parts everyone using for power increase on 351? I would bore .030 over at minimum and other upgraded interior components but are there some better than others? In looking at most of the 77-79 F150/F250 for sale here they have 351W or 400 engines.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
My understanding is that if you want a Cummins, it's better to use the Dodge/RAM frame, and adapt the body to it.
I'd rather adapt a newer Ford frame if going that far.
I'll bet that a set of Explorer GT40 heads and a nice aftermarket dual plane intake manifold, along with some headers, will get you to 300 on a Windsor.
I'd rather adapt a newer Ford frame if going that far.
I'll bet that a set of Explorer GT40 heads and a nice aftermarket dual plane intake manifold, along with some headers, will get you to 300 on a Windsor.
Thread Starter
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8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
I feel like all I do now is research late 70s ford build. Getting closer to determining what I want and plenty of older trucks near me for sale which is good.
I am going to keep interior period specific with few modern tourches. Dash cluster, radio, etc.
my concern is ride quality with older suspensions which has led me down hole of looking at superduty frame or axle swap. I do not have room to so full frame swap so looking at pros and cons of doing axle swap into late 70s F150 or F250. I see there are a few kits out there for brackets which is fine but need guidance on best path forward. As far as stance goes I want it at 2.5”-4” lift.
if money wasnt an issue what is best path forward to achieve smoother ride and stance I want in a 79?
I am going to keep interior period specific with few modern tourches. Dash cluster, radio, etc.
my concern is ride quality with older suspensions which has led me down hole of looking at superduty frame or axle swap. I do not have room to so full frame swap so looking at pros and cons of doing axle swap into late 70s F150 or F250. I see there are a few kits out there for brackets which is fine but need guidance on best path forward. As far as stance goes I want it at 2.5”-4” lift.
if money wasnt an issue what is best path forward to achieve smoother ride and stance I want in a 79?
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