Here is my situation. I buy/sell/part/race cars for a living right now.

I had a 90 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 with a class 3 hitch and a 5,000 lbs towing capacity. I recently sold it to upgrade to something that can handle a bigger trailer.

I found a 92 F-150 4x4 5spd with a 302. its a regular cab short bed. It also has a 4" lift and 35" tires. with a price tag of 1500 bucks. This is about the cheapest I have found a 92+ 150 with a V8.

What is the towing capacity on this vehicle? I will have a flatbed that weighs about 1500 lbs and a car on it that could weigh 2500-4000 lbs.

will this truck be able to handle it? I mean I was towing with a cherokee before and I would think the F150 which is bigger with a bigger motor could handle it better.

Also what should I look for on this truck mechanically? Anything really expensive prone to failure? He said a front hub is bad and an alignment is needed....

let me know what you think and thanks in advance

 

With that much bigger tires and that lift...would that necessarily make a good tow rig?

The 302 has more torque then the Powertech, though I'd think that they would have comparable torque ratings in their lower rpm's. HP I can't comment..but..the 302 truck motors aren't HP demons anyways.

I'd say the fact the the F150 is a 5 speed will be the deciding factor. Allow you better mileage in towing, easier to tow anyways, and more reliable. The 302 shouldn't give you any troubles either. That's a pretty good price on a 250 too....especially with lift and wheels and whatnot.

 

With that big of tires...you might also might want to concider a new rear gear if you buy it. With normal tires the rear gear may have been adequate but with that much bigger of tire you may want a higher numerical rear gearing to restore some power.

 

That 5 speed tranny isn't made for towing. It'll be the weakest link. You'll find it's a pain sometimes starting out with the high first gear, and especially reverse (being a 302 doesn't help either). If you decide to use it, keep the fluid fresh in it and just take it easy. You may not want to (or even be able to) use overdrive when you're towing.

I towed a 79 F-150 on a flatbed about 150 miles with my 302/5 speed. While I wouldn't want to do that everyday, it did okay. I could run 65-70 fairly easy, but it was flat ground with no wind. Change that and it would be a different story.

That is a real good price...but is there some reason it's that low?

 

Does he have the M5OD? If he does then that would indeed be the weak point relative to the rest of the vehicle. I assumed that it being a 250 if was packing a ZF with a granny.

I was thinking the same thing about the low price...

 

Anyone know what the towing capacity is on the 92 F150?

I don't know if I want to go with a 150 if its not going to be that great flatbedding... I mean that is the whole purpose I am stepping up from the cherokee.

I test drove a 91 F250 5.8 auto today. It was really clean and well maintained. The guy wanted 3000 for it. I know that will do the job, so I will probably just have to end up going with it.

 

We cant tell you what the towing capacity will be without knowing the rear axle ratio, but it's going to be lower with the bigger tires. I would go with the F-250, the 302 is'nt exactly the best at towing :\

 

yea, after reading around these forums it seems like some people like the 4.9 better than the 302 for towing. I think I will look for an F250

What about an E250 Van? Is that basically the same as an F250? anyone know the motor options? Did they have a deisel option?

there is an auction coming up with a 2000 Airborne Express E250 with 335,000 miles and light side damage. Its probably been well maintained.