Why can't I tow?
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Why can't I tow?
The main reason I got my 81 f100 is becouse it has a manual trans (I prefer manuals, they are more trustwothy). When I was looking through the owners manual it clearly states in several places "coution- the 4spd od transmision must not be used for towing" I want to know why not. Is it just becouse it is geard higher and will wear out the clutch faster or does it have a weakness, and I could end up stranded out in nowhere. Also if it turns out that ford is being over coutios would it be o.k. to tow a decent size car using a tow bar, because that ability would be realy helpful at my house. 
Last edited by Mr. Finch; Dec 9, 2004 at 03:26 PM.
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Basic rule of thumb, only tow what your truck's max towing capacity is (should be stamped on the door tag with serial number etc) For an F100, which is a light duty half ton, the towing capacity will be less than an F150. The same F100 with an automatic will have a higher towing capacity as well. Some of the earlier 4 spd OD transmissions were very light duty, and didn't handle loads well.
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
Frame is also honey combed on those and the trucks are light weight, with weaker brakes as well.
You always want to be heavier by far than anything you are towing since you might be able to get it rolling but you may not be able to stop in enough time if what you are towing is too heavy.
As RR4E said, it might be your trannie as well. If you have the cursed Japanese tranny they put in some of those, they are the weakest spot on the whole truck and WILL die eventually.
Lee
You always want to be heavier by far than anything you are towing since you might be able to get it rolling but you may not be able to stop in enough time if what you are towing is too heavy.
As RR4E said, it might be your trannie as well. If you have the cursed Japanese tranny they put in some of those, they are the weakest spot on the whole truck and WILL die eventually.
Lee
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From: Coutts Canada
All the ford 4sp od tranny tranny's are junk, and they were usualy paired with a 3.00 rear gear or faster (2.45 and i had a 2.80 before i swapped to 3.25's) and thus the reason why they aren't the best for towing.
Laughing Gas
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From: Minnesota
We had a couple of them as company trucks that we used to pull 1500# "wind anchor" trailers for a month or so in the fall. The secret was the optional 3.73 axle ratio that I ordered with the 300-6. Pulled the trailer better than the 351 4spd creeper with 3.55 ratio and got mid twenties for mileage when solo.
If you are dead set on towing a light trailer you will have to get an axle ratio that is appropriate.
If you are dead set on towing a light trailer you will have to get an axle ratio that is appropriate.
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Thanks for the info. I am currently thinking of swaping the trans for a standard 4spd, or changing the axle like ClydSDayle suggested. What are your opinions on this, wich should I go for. Currently I am thinking of the axle swap. Becouse I won't be doing alot of towing, and I don't have much money so the better gas mileage sounds good.
Also does anyone know how common the 3.73 axle is,what all I would have to change, and about how much it would cost to do the swap if I do all the work myself. I don't know what axle is in there, but I am guessing it is a faster one because it is a 5 lugg, the pumpkin does not look realy big (I did not get a chance to count the bolts), and the truck had a 255v8, and that was ford's attempt at a more fuel efficient 5.0. I switched that for a real 5.0.
Also does anyone know how common the 3.73 axle is,what all I would have to change, and about how much it would cost to do the swap if I do all the work myself. I don't know what axle is in there, but I am guessing it is a faster one because it is a 5 lugg, the pumpkin does not look realy big (I did not get a chance to count the bolts), and the truck had a 255v8, and that was ford's attempt at a more fuel efficient 5.0. I switched that for a real 5.0.
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Post Fiend
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From: Coutts Canada
He means there are big holes in it front front to back by an attempt to lose weight and increase milage.
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My 86 F-150 Auto overdrive manual states not to tow or haul a heavy load using the OD gear which makes sense and I use regular drive gear when hauling heavy stuff. I would think the same thing applied to a manual with 4th being the OD gear. That being the case you might should stay in third when hauling or towing heavy stuff. I find it hard to believe you can't tow something with this setup. If not you would be better off driving a car if you just wanted to tow stuff.
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tough towing f-150
My old '85 F-150 4.9 with the C6 Auto 3 speed, pulling a 12' utility trailer loaded with broken up concrete, weighed out at 14,000 lbs at the transfer station. Your tranny might give out but that chassis is nearly indestructable.
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What exactly are you looking to tow ? Unfortunately the 4 speed manual Overdrive was not one of Ford's better ideas. Trucks and fuel economy shall never meet.
I have an 86 F-150 4x4 shortbed with a 300 six and a 4 speed (1st is a "Granny gear"). According to the VIN plate it has a 3:08 rear end.
I used to tow a double axle car trailer that weighed 1940 lbs empty. I once had a 5.0 Mustang on the trailer that someone wanted towed. I came upon a long grade on the highway. I was in the middle lane when the grade came up. I wanted to get in the right lane as I knew I didn't have the motor to accelerate up the grade. A Chevy 1 ton wrecker towing a F-250 crew cab pickup was in the right lane. He wouldn't let me over. I litterally stayed right with him up the grade. I signalled that I wanted over as he was behind me before the grade. I was aggrivated. He pulled dead even with me but couldn't pass me up the grade. And he did try ! Once we levelled out he pulled away. The F-250 that he was towing swayed his truck all over the place ! The guy was quite pi$$ed !. If only he knew I had a 300 six.
I have an 86 F-150 4x4 shortbed with a 300 six and a 4 speed (1st is a "Granny gear"). According to the VIN plate it has a 3:08 rear end.
I used to tow a double axle car trailer that weighed 1940 lbs empty. I once had a 5.0 Mustang on the trailer that someone wanted towed. I came upon a long grade on the highway. I was in the middle lane when the grade came up. I wanted to get in the right lane as I knew I didn't have the motor to accelerate up the grade. A Chevy 1 ton wrecker towing a F-250 crew cab pickup was in the right lane. He wouldn't let me over. I litterally stayed right with him up the grade. I signalled that I wanted over as he was behind me before the grade. I was aggrivated. He pulled dead even with me but couldn't pass me up the grade. And he did try ! Once we levelled out he pulled away. The F-250 that he was towing swayed his truck all over the place ! The guy was quite pi$$ed !. If only he knew I had a 300 six.
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I was looking at towing smaller cars around 3000- 35000 lbs. but I would use a tow bar or something, not a full trailer. That way their is less strain on the frame, and I don't have to modify the suspension. The previous owner said he bought it in Springfield Illinois so he could move to northern Illinois, he said he used it to tow his cars that were not running at the time (I saw them, they were the older heavier cars) But I don't realy trust him because he said the engine was a 351 when it was actually a 255 v8.
Also when I bought the truck the engine that was in it was realy worn out, the crank was beat pretty bad but I don't know if it was because the engine was just a weak engine for doing that kind of work, or if the higher geard trans made it more work for the engine than it should have been.
Also when I bought the truck the engine that was in it was realy worn out, the crank was beat pretty bad but I don't know if it was because the engine was just a weak engine for doing that kind of work, or if the higher geard trans made it more work for the engine than it should have been.
