will it tow?
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will it tow?
first post..........thinking of getting a 93-95 f150 4x4 with the six, 4.9L i believe....i will be towing a trailer in the neighborhood of 3000 lbs....how will this truck do and how will I do with the gas mileage? Am i better off with the 8 cyl? thanks.... (thinking of getting the manual)
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From: WA
3000 is nothing, if you have the right gearing you can haul that around all day with the strait six. You probably won't want to get a manual in those years (89-96) because the tranny they put in (M5OD) is weak, and will not be good for towing. If you're doing just here and there, once in a while towing, the M5OD will do just fine, but if you tow seriously, you will want something else.
IMO, I would try and get a 88 and older F150, or any year of a F250 with the strait six in it. The transmissions in those years were a lot stronger. ZF-5 speed and the Borg Warner T-18.
As far as being better off with an 8 cyl, it depends, the 302, you will not be better off it is not good for towing. The 351 and the 460, you will deffantly have an advantage over the strait six. But you'd be supirsed what the 300 can do!
IMO, I would try and get a 88 and older F150, or any year of a F250 with the strait six in it. The transmissions in those years were a lot stronger. ZF-5 speed and the Borg Warner T-18.
As far as being better off with an 8 cyl, it depends, the 302, you will not be better off it is not good for towing. The 351 and the 460, you will deffantly have an advantage over the strait six. But you'd be supirsed what the 300 can do!
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You don't HAVE to get an older truck to avoid the M@z!@ M5OD. I put a ZF 5spd in my '93 4x4 I6 because I HATE the M5OD as a truck transmission. Zero modifications were required. I really love the transmission because it gives you a great granny 1st but still has a tall 5th. 
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I can only say that there were zero modifications in my specific application. As far as bolting up to a 302, yes it should if you get one from either a 4.9L, 5.0L, or a 5.8L. I used a transmission from a '97 5.8L F250 and put it in my '93 4.9L F150 (both were 4x4). I believe that in 2wd applications you will have to use the driveshaft off of the donor truck. We have a thread that is at least 3 pages long regarding this swap in the transmission section.
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I week back I needed to rent a utility trailer to do some hauling. The rental place quized me good about my truck. As soon as I mentioned it had a six cylinder motor he stated his concern that the motor may not be powerful enough to pull the trailer and I had to listen to a lecture from him to this effect... that I need a V8 to 'safely' tow a trailer... apparantly that includes the 302... Forget about cubic inches or rear end ratio, transmission etc...
he wouldn't rent me the trailer because my motor was a six.
Sigh...
I wonder if the Dodge cummins six would have been good enough for him... probably not..
he wouldn't rent me the trailer because my motor was a six.
Sigh...
I wonder if the Dodge cummins six would have been good enough for him... probably not..
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From: WA
Ask him if a peterbuilt 14 Liter Diesel Strait six would be enough 
HardworkinFord - How much did that ZF cost ya? I'm thinkin of doin' the swap soon when my M5OD finally kills over on me
HardworkinFord - How much did that ZF cost ya? I'm thinkin of doin' the swap soon when my M5OD finally kills over on me
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From: The best is the U.S.
My ZF cost me $650 used 
, but it has been worth every penny. I was in a pinch because my M5OD was on the way out again, so I didn't get alot of time to shop around. The salvage yard I bought from keeps all of their transmissions inside with fresh fluid in them and they were the cheapest I could find in my area. I can't believe that the person you tried to rent the trailer from:
1. Refused a customer
2. Showed his ignorance about towing vehicles
It was a utility trailer for crying out loud, not a flat bed for hauling dozers!
I have done many things with my I6 that would have meant the end of many small V8's, and my I6 still doesn't even smoke. Many years ago (highschool) I shared the misconception that only V8's were serious engines, but I was DUMB back then!
On edit: I forgot my little shooting guy! trademark
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