79 4X4 Towing

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Jun 15, 2005 | 10:32 AM

#16

MBBFord

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 8,542

Likes: 5

From: Louisiana

You made a good choice. If your be towing mostly under 40 mph the 300 is best for you.
Good luck with everything,
Matt

Jun 23, 2005 | 11:09 PM

#17

jasond5150

Tuned

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 261

Likes: 4

From: Montana

I too have a 79 F150 4x4 and am not surprised that it is capable of pulling over 7,000 pounds - it's the stopping part that scares me - maybe that's why the owner's manual rating is so low??

Jun 24, 2005 | 12:53 PM

#18

yonu

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 237

Likes: 1

how about a brake controller? and as to the steering box why not just have it rebuilt? we had ours rebuilt by the auto shop at the local college havn't had a problem with it yeat

Jun 25, 2005 | 02:51 AM

#19

roger dowty

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2,068

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From: western montana

I think the rating was so low due to the low hp/torque of the 351m in those years. I would consider going to a beefier brake system - maybe - but the 300 is a great motor- I've owned a couple. trailer brakes would be very important and keep an eye on the tire wear in the rear as heavy lods will bend a 9" rearend overtime.

Also look at what you can do to that 300 to beef it up as well- used to be an indy engine after all.

Aug 17, 2005 | 09:28 AM

#20

Snowman671

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 35

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Well guys,

got the new steerign box on, hooked up some elec brakes. Tows good need to get equalizer hitch but other than that pretty nice, the 300 has enough to keep moving and only bogs abit on the hills. I been out 2 times in it and doing fine. Can tell I'm pulling the trailer.

Thanks for all the help. !!!

Anyoen know a good place to get the steering shaft between the gearbox and the column please let me know. The U-Joint there is totaaly trashed from the last guy that owned it and I don't think that just the u-joint is replaceable

Thanks !!

Dave

Aug 18, 2005 | 02:10 PM

#21

catmandu79

Junior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 79

Likes: 0

From: Fort Lupton, CO

Some states have laws against overloading your truck. The point, if you put 20lbs. of crap in a 5lb. bag eventually it will break!

Aug 19, 2005 | 07:40 AM

#22

Snowman671

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 35

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If the truck is rated to tow 7000 LBS with a v-8 then the truck itself can still handle the same amount of weight and towing with the 300. power differnces will exist but it does not change the way the truck was built.

only reason for load equalizer was to smooth out the bumps in the road. the truck does not squat more than 1/2" under the load..

Nov 10, 2005 | 04:57 PM

#23

toolz_not_toyz

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 137

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From: Washington

Towing capacities

I know this is a pretty late followup but it might be useful information for anyone else that stumbles across this thread. I came here looking for some insight on trailers and these old trucks too. I have a 1978 4x4 with a 460. I also happen to have a copy of the 1978 owners' manual.

The manual indicates this:

Class 1 trailer + weight carrying hitch = 2000lbs
Tongue Load = 10-15% of trailer weight, max 200lbs

Class 2 trailer + weight distributing hitch = 2000-3500lbs
Tongue Load = 10-15% of trailer weight, no max indicated

Class 3 trailer + weight distributing hitch = 3500-6000lbs
Tongue Load = 10-15% of trailer weight, max 800lbs

The engines in this case are either a 351 or 460. This info is correct for either shortbed (117") or long bed (133"). I hope this helps anyone looking for this information. Keep in mind that the brakes on these trucks are what they are vs what you would have using a newer truck to haul a heavy load around with.