80s 4x4 I6 questions
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80s 4x4 I6 questions
Hey guys,
I'm thinking about getting an 80s F150 4x4 with the I6 and manual tranny for a work truck. I had one in high school, but am only now realizing what a great work truck it was.
I've looked around this site for info, but haven't found exactly what I am looking for. I want to know things like the tranny and rearend's gear ratios, stock payload, towing capacity, and things like that. Anyone know these things off the top of their head, or of any good sites where I can find this info?
Also, are there any years that are better than others, for whatever reasons (mine was an 85)?
Thanks in advance!
I'm thinking about getting an 80s F150 4x4 with the I6 and manual tranny for a work truck. I had one in high school, but am only now realizing what a great work truck it was.
I've looked around this site for info, but haven't found exactly what I am looking for. I want to know things like the tranny and rearend's gear ratios, stock payload, towing capacity, and things like that. Anyone know these things off the top of their head, or of any good sites where I can find this info?
Also, are there any years that are better than others, for whatever reasons (mine was an 85)?
Thanks in advance!
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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Early to mid '80s was feedback carb, lots of plastic vacuum lines etc etc, plus the dreaded "quits on a RR track" TFI ignition.
Late '80s saw EFI and ZF 5 speed transmissions. I'd look for the late '80s versions as more power and more gears are more better.
Late '80s saw EFI and ZF 5 speed transmissions. I'd look for the late '80s versions as more power and more gears are more better.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,153
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From: Venezuela
Rear axel most used for that year was between 3.00 to 3.23. Tranny's C6 and a manual I don't know model of that...
Payload for F100 and F150, 500Kg and 750Kg. Towing depends on configuration but usually between 1000 to 2500Kg.
Payload for F100 and F150, 500Kg and 750Kg. Towing depends on configuration but usually between 1000 to 2500Kg.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 330
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From: Chandler,Arizona - USA
If you want carbed versions, don't get anything newer than 1983. Make sure the distributor has the vacuum advance on it, and the silver square box on the wheel well(ignition module), has the blue tab where the wires come out. This is the Ford Duraspark 2 system. Trucks with California emissions equipment will not have this set up. They will probably have the TFI, a.k.a. electronic feedback systems. I have a C6 automatic with 3:55 gears, which I like a lot. The only drawback is that when going 65 mph, your turning about 3000 RPM's. Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
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From: Pittsburgh
Through the '80's almost all 4x4 trucks will have 3.5 gears. ::very rarely:: you'll find a 3.0 and occaisonally you'll find a 4.11. Before '83 it will have a 9" rearend, afterwards it will most likely have an 8.8 (but the 9 did hang on until at least 86 in limited use).
Trannywise, all you need to do is AVOID the 4 speed overdrive units. My preference is for the 4 speed compund low transmissions (granny gear) which will be found from '80-'87. It will either be a NP 435 (6.71st gear, 1:1 top gear) or a BWT-18 (6.32 1st, 1:1 top). In '88 the manuals in the 150's all became the Mazda 5 speed OD. All and all it isn't a -bad- transmission, they're just known for losing shift rail plugs, dumping all of their fluid on the ground and dying right when you need them not to. So long as you get it fixed as soon as you see ATF (yes, the 5 speed uses ATF) on the ground everything will be fine. It has about a 3.3 1st gear and a .75 top gear.
And for all of the guys ragging on feedback carbs and TFI ignition, I'll agree with them. When the feedback and TFI works it works AWESOMELY but when they start acting goofy they just send you round and round in circles trying to get it all together, big headache. Best thing you can do is if you have feedback and TFI (83-85) is to do a DSII swap (76-83). I did it on my '85 and it was like a whole new truck.
I don't know what towing capacity is, but there's no reason you couldn't tow 5,000 lbs or more. It's just a matter of realizing it'll take a while to stop. . .
Payload wise, a heavy half (don't know if ford had a special designation for this) has roughly the same payload capacity as the base model F250 of the same year. A guy I worked for had an F250 with no options whatsoever except 4 wheel drive, my truck was identical to his except a f150 heavy half rather than a 250 (same motor, tranny, comparable Tcase, same front end). His GVRW was 6500lbs and mine was 6100lbs and his truck weighed about 450 lbs more than mine.
The heavy halves are identified by a 6100lb GVRW and physically by 2 overload springs and a spacer block. The standard overload spring is under the main pack. the second one is above the pack, has a VERY substantial arch to it and has about a 1" spacer block between it and the main pack. It looks like it wouldn't do anything until you look at the frame and see the steel snubbers riveted in over the ends of the springs.
Anything else go ahead and ask. . .
Justin
Trannywise, all you need to do is AVOID the 4 speed overdrive units. My preference is for the 4 speed compund low transmissions (granny gear) which will be found from '80-'87. It will either be a NP 435 (6.71st gear, 1:1 top gear) or a BWT-18 (6.32 1st, 1:1 top). In '88 the manuals in the 150's all became the Mazda 5 speed OD. All and all it isn't a -bad- transmission, they're just known for losing shift rail plugs, dumping all of their fluid on the ground and dying right when you need them not to. So long as you get it fixed as soon as you see ATF (yes, the 5 speed uses ATF) on the ground everything will be fine. It has about a 3.3 1st gear and a .75 top gear.
And for all of the guys ragging on feedback carbs and TFI ignition, I'll agree with them. When the feedback and TFI works it works AWESOMELY but when they start acting goofy they just send you round and round in circles trying to get it all together, big headache. Best thing you can do is if you have feedback and TFI (83-85) is to do a DSII swap (76-83). I did it on my '85 and it was like a whole new truck.
I don't know what towing capacity is, but there's no reason you couldn't tow 5,000 lbs or more. It's just a matter of realizing it'll take a while to stop. . .
Payload wise, a heavy half (don't know if ford had a special designation for this) has roughly the same payload capacity as the base model F250 of the same year. A guy I worked for had an F250 with no options whatsoever except 4 wheel drive, my truck was identical to his except a f150 heavy half rather than a 250 (same motor, tranny, comparable Tcase, same front end). His GVRW was 6500lbs and mine was 6100lbs and his truck weighed about 450 lbs more than mine.
The heavy halves are identified by a 6100lb GVRW and physically by 2 overload springs and a spacer block. The standard overload spring is under the main pack. the second one is above the pack, has a VERY substantial arch to it and has about a 1" spacer block between it and the main pack. It looks like it wouldn't do anything until you look at the frame and see the steel snubbers riveted in over the ends of the springs.
Anything else go ahead and ask. . .
Justin
