Engine choice & tire size

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Jul 29, 2004 | 07:15 PM

FordFourByFour

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Engine choice & tire size

Hi to all, new to the forum here. I really like the looks of this forum. I came across it by doing research for ford trucks. I think i'll get more done through this forum.

I am currently trying to find a 73-77 ford 4x4. The reason is that I recently took a job in the NC foothills for a power coop, and if we have bad weather and something happens, I have to be able to get to work. What I would like to do is take the engine I have out of my 72 ltd, which has been rebuilt with a few mods, and put it in a truck. My questions are, how much power is too much? What is a good tire size? What is the best gearing? etc...

I'll mainly be using this truck to get around in bad weather, hauling trailer, and a few trips on a dirt trail for fun

. I won't be using it for any kind of competitions or anything like that. However, I want to have a good setup. Ok, this is getting long, but if you want to know my engine build, i'll be glad to post it. Thanks for your time and reading,

Jared

Jul 29, 2004 | 07:36 PM

teds74ford

Logistics Pro

Joined: Aug 2003

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I guess it just depends. I was going to build a super-truck when I started, and now I am down to a good daily driver. For daily use, I suggest no bigger than 35" tires, and "street" mud terrains, 3.73-4.10 gears, so it will still cruise ok, and any motor. I was going to do the 460 thing, but with the 300, and guys claiming upwards of 20 mpg, I will stick with it, especially at $2 a gallon. It puts out VERY respectable power, and will last forever. However, if you already had a motor, use it. Of course, if you are only going to drive this thing when an absolute emergency arrives, then build it how you want. I would go for 600 HP and 49" Iroks

but like I said, that is what I started out to build, but ended up with a daily driver type truck. Good luck, and welcome. Ted

Jul 29, 2004 | 07:39 PM

HawkeyeF100

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Joined: Jun 2003

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You might want to join your state chapter on the main page.
The 'locals' might be able to help you find the truck of your needs w/o having to drive 700 miles.
Welcome aboard!

Jul 29, 2004 | 08:16 PM

SR71

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Any particular reason you are excluding the 78-79 yrs?

Jul 29, 2004 | 08:27 PM

STGFordCrazy04

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Joined: May 2004

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From: St George, SC I-95

Im with SR71. If for no other reason the 78-79 had much better brakes and power steering. JMHO. Around the mountains I would think there should be an abundance of 4x4 trucks. I usually vacation around Ashville and I always see my fair share. Are you partial to an F150 or F250?

Jul 30, 2004 | 06:40 PM

FordFourByFour

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Thanks for your replys,

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR71

Any particular reason you are excluding the 78-79 yrs?

Well, the only reason that i'm excluding those years is because I like the look of the round headlights better than the square. If the 78-79 are better trucks then i'll start looking at those as well. Is there a way to exchange the grill and headlights between the trucks?

I'll go ahead and give you guys my engine build, i'm concerned about having the right amount of power to go with tires, gears, etc.

rebuilt 72' 400 bored .030
rebuilt stock heads
edelbrock intake,
edelbrock 600 cfm carb,
edelbrock performer cam,
headers,
electronic ignition with high voltage coil

I have about 17,000 miles on the engine and about 6000 on the C6 transmission. I was wanting to use this engine and transmission. However, i'm not sure if I can use the transmission. Do you have to have a 4x4 transmission in order to have the transfer case, or can you use any C6 and bolt the transfer case on? Sorry, i'm probably sounding like a moron, but I want to avoid some headache. Thanks for your info.

Jul 30, 2004 | 07:40 PM

eddieburnsii

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 162

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From: WV

round or square, hummmm

i have a 78 and it has the round headlights. seems that ford ran out of round ones mid year or so and started putting in the square ones. if you ended up buying a lte 78 or 79 model with squares they are pretty easy to swap with the round ones since the radiator support that everything up front bolts to is the same. just get some round buckets and the round bezels and bolt them in. also my truck had a 360 engine 4 speed tranny and 3:50 running gears which was awesome (to me anyway) with a set of 31/10.50's on 8" rims. i'm pretty sure that setup would have done fine with 32's and possibly 33's anyhow i took the 360 out to rebuild it several years ago(wich still has'nt happened...lol) and dropped in a fresh 351M and C6 tranny with 35" mud tires. in doing this i lost most of my low end torque. i have to use 4low in places i never did before. the truck does fine on the highway. it looks good too. but untill i put in some 4:10 gears i'll have to deal with my "weak in the woods" truck. as for the transfer case i think all you have to do is get a tail piece for a 4x4 and bolt it to the rear of the tranny. i'm sure someone will correct me on that if i'm wrong. good luck.