BEEFING UP MY 150
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 6
From: Northern California
BEEFING UP MY 150
Here's the cheap, reliable way to tow: 1., Make sure the cooling system is in A-1 shape, 2., add a separate automatic transmission oil cooler (if you have an automatic), 3., get a pair of overload springs, and 4., drop the rear axle ratio to a 4.10. You can tow anything that way.
Ed
Ed
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
BEEFING UP MY 150
>Here's the cheap, reliable way to tow:
>1., Make sure the cooling system
>is in A-1 shape, 2., add
>a separate automatic transmission oil cooler
>(if you have an automatic), 3.,
>get a pair of overload springs,
>and 4., drop the rear axle
>ratio to a 4.10. You
>can tow anything that way. Ed
>
Also, make sure of the obvious. Have your towing equipment up to par. If your trailer has brakes, make sure your wiring and controller are okay, and make sure you have a good setup, most of the tiime the bumper is enough, but a receiver hitch is best. Also you may want to look into a weight distributing harness for the trailer.
Evan A.K.A. PastMaster
1993 F-150 302/E40d XLT
1989 F-150 302/Aod 4x4 XLT Lariat
>1., Make sure the cooling system
>is in A-1 shape, 2., add
>a separate automatic transmission oil cooler
>(if you have an automatic), 3.,
>get a pair of overload springs,
>and 4., drop the rear axle
>ratio to a 4.10. You
>can tow anything that way. Ed
>
Also, make sure of the obvious. Have your towing equipment up to par. If your trailer has brakes, make sure your wiring and controller are okay, and make sure you have a good setup, most of the tiime the bumper is enough, but a receiver hitch is best. Also you may want to look into a weight distributing harness for the trailer.
Evan A.K.A. PastMaster
1993 F-150 302/E40d XLT
1989 F-150 302/Aod 4x4 XLT Lariat
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
BEEFING UP MY 150
The only way to change your F150 into an F250 is jack up the license plates and install another truck between them. The F250 has a heavier frame, heavier cooling system, heavier springs all around, heavier axles front and rear, larger heavier brakes. About all that is the same is the engine, trans (if you do not include coolers) and bodywork.
There are many things you can do to make your truck pull better. That is the easiest part of towing. You can control how fast you accelerate. You cannot always control how fast you have to brake or swerve to avoid a crash. Also, whatever you do to your truck you cannot change the factory weight ratings. If someone pulls out in front of you (their fault), there is an accident and their lawyers can prove that you were over the manufacturer's weight limits the picture can get pretty grim. I have been around trucks and trucking since December of 1974, have been towing trailers since before that and have done my share of stupid stuff. I have been lucky - I also have become a believer in following the weight ratings because that is what the liability lawyers and courts will do in the event of a problem. Take the answers you get here and think - make your own decision. I have heard many people complain they don't have enough truck to pull or carry their load, I have never heard anyone complain they had too much truck.
Think hard, consider the facts, be safe.
Dave / Believer45 / dpharis@eos.net
There are many things you can do to make your truck pull better. That is the easiest part of towing. You can control how fast you accelerate. You cannot always control how fast you have to brake or swerve to avoid a crash. Also, whatever you do to your truck you cannot change the factory weight ratings. If someone pulls out in front of you (their fault), there is an accident and their lawyers can prove that you were over the manufacturer's weight limits the picture can get pretty grim. I have been around trucks and trucking since December of 1974, have been towing trailers since before that and have done my share of stupid stuff. I have been lucky - I also have become a believer in following the weight ratings because that is what the liability lawyers and courts will do in the event of a problem. Take the answers you get here and think - make your own decision. I have heard many people complain they don't have enough truck to pull or carry their load, I have never heard anyone complain they had too much truck.
Think hard, consider the facts, be safe.
Dave / Believer45 / dpharis@eos.net
New User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
BEEFING UP MY 150
1992 F-250HD XLT S/C 4X4
460 cid E40D Modified
Banks Ram Air Intake
3" Flowmaster Cat Back Exhaust
1957 Ranchero
All Stock, Needs Resto
Waiting to win the lotto to bring her back to original shape.
I agree, I pull 3 horses in a trailer equiped with trailer brakes. It pulls and BRAKES like nothing is back there. I was looking at 1/2 tons when buying a truck but my truck has the 8.800lb frame. I love it and will never go with a half ton. I wish not to slam 1/2 ton trucks at all. But if you are looking for a truck to pull or haul major weight you cant go wrong with a 3/4 ton or up to do the job with little or no modifications.
If I could aford a power stroke, I would glady take it over a 460cid. That is another $4,000 option on a used truck. the exhaust and ram air intake helps A LOT. I am getting 4+ MPG over stock.
"OPEN UP THE 460cid TO REALIZE IT'S POTENIAL!"
460 cid E40D Modified
Banks Ram Air Intake
3" Flowmaster Cat Back Exhaust
1957 Ranchero
All Stock, Needs Resto
Waiting to win the lotto to bring her back to original shape.
I agree, I pull 3 horses in a trailer equiped with trailer brakes. It pulls and BRAKES like nothing is back there. I was looking at 1/2 tons when buying a truck but my truck has the 8.800lb frame. I love it and will never go with a half ton. I wish not to slam 1/2 ton trucks at all. But if you are looking for a truck to pull or haul major weight you cant go wrong with a 3/4 ton or up to do the job with little or no modifications.
If I could aford a power stroke, I would glady take it over a 460cid. That is another $4,000 option on a used truck. the exhaust and ram air intake helps A LOT. I am getting 4+ MPG over stock.
"OPEN UP THE 460cid TO REALIZE IT'S POTENIAL!"
