How common are "Trailer Specials"?
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Joined: Aug 2000
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How common are "Trailer Specials"?
Hey all, I have a 78 Bronco Ranger XLT that is a "Trailer Special", and was wondering how rare this package was? I know it has a bigger radiator and alternator, but what else? Any info is appreciated. Thanks. Don
"Nothing lasts forever except natural stone and old Ford trucks." (Willie Nelson)
"Nothing lasts forever except natural stone and old Ford trucks." (Willie Nelson)
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
How common are "Trailer Specials"?
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 15-Feb-01 AT 02:09 PM (EST)[/font][p]Don, I think the wiring has extra pieces, lower gearing, higher spring rate and a badge, maybe some more. There is no telling on how many, it was an option that anyone could ask for on a special order.
John
Club FTE since 01 01
http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker
66 F100s
John
Club FTE since 01 01
http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker
66 F100s
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
How common are "Trailer Specials"?
My '78 F150 2 wheel drive came from the factory with the "Trailer Special" package: It originally had a 460/C6 combo, it has a factory installed aux.trans.cooler, larger radiator, and what I think are "factory" plugs under the dash for a trailer brake controller, plus the "T S" badge on the tailgate, I've never seen a Bronco with "T S"
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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How common are "Trailer Specials"?
I have a trailer special as well...according to the previous owner, it has air shocks in the rear...I dont know anything about this. It does have what amounts to a tire stem mounted on the back bumper by the license plate. Anybody know about this? Is it aftermarket? I have not had to haul anything heavy withg this truck yet, but I will probably be moving this summer and loading it to the gills both in the bed and hooking a u-haul to the back.
thanks,
ackus
thanks,
ackus
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 213
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From: Austin USA
How common are "Trailer Specials"?
The valve stem by the licence plate is forthe air shocks. It is aftermarket. You use this to add/remove air to the air shocks. Air shocks also need to have at least 25PSI in them or they will go bad. You can check it just like a tire. Add some air to it and see if the rear goes up.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 154
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How common are "Trailer Specials"?
very cool....thanks for the info...I'm gonna go check it out on my lunch.....so what is the benefit in having air shocks on the rear axle?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Austin USA
How common are "Trailer Specials"?
The air shock allow you to haul more. at 100 or so PSI you can carry about 1000 more pounds then stock. (remember it still depends on you drive train, but Ford trucks can usally handle it) Fill it up to 100 or so PSI an see how far your rear end goes. Looks kind of weird unloaded though.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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How common are "Trailer Specials"?
Well I checked them out and it appears that one of the shocks has a hole in it.....so I put the air to it and the truck rises........then settles as soon as I take the air off.....if I could figure out how to do it from the cab (and speed up the rising and falling) I would fit in great with the homies (well I guess I would have to lower it and chrome it out too) 
Well I guess it is time to start looking around to find a replacement.....unless...can something like this be fixed? It is a pin hole and is in the middle of the cylinder (on the front side, so I would ventre to guess a rock did it). It does not appear to be dented at all....just has this nice little hole.
Well I guess it is time to start looking around to find a replacement.....unless...can something like this be fixed? It is a pin hole and is in the middle of the cylinder (on the front side, so I would ventre to guess a rock did it). It does not appear to be dented at all....just has this nice little hole.
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How common are "Trailer Specials"?
>The air shock allow you to haul more. at 100 or so PSI you
>can carry about 1000 more pounds then stock. (remember it
>still depends on you drive train, but Ford trucks can usally
>handle it) Fill it up to 100 or so PSI an see how far your
>rear end goes. Looks kind of weird unloaded though.
Be careful when saying this. Your shock mount points are the weak link here. Lot of guys buy these air and coil-overs thinking they are going to haul all kind of weight. Just because the truck isn't squating doesn't mean that it can handle being overloaded.....
>can carry about 1000 more pounds then stock. (remember it
>still depends on you drive train, but Ford trucks can usally
>handle it) Fill it up to 100 or so PSI an see how far your
>rear end goes. Looks kind of weird unloaded though.
Be careful when saying this. Your shock mount points are the weak link here. Lot of guys buy these air and coil-overs thinking they are going to haul all kind of weight. Just because the truck isn't squating doesn't mean that it can handle being overloaded.....
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,364
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From: Eustis FL
How common are "Trailer Specials"?
It looks like I will be buying a 'Trailer Special' tomorrow. It is a 76 Supercab, 460/C6, and the rad looks bigger, and there is a tranny cooler. There is also a trailer brake mounted under the dash. It has 'Trailer Special' badges on the front somewhere... Fenders, I think??? $500 bucks.
Mark
Mark
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 845
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From: Bakersfield Ca.
How common are "Trailer Specials"?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-May-02 AT 12:59 PM (EST)]Hello ackusackus. I use to have air shocks on a Fairlane I use to own. One thing you might consider. When or if you put new air shocks on, install with seperate air supply tubing and stems, independent of each other. Just make sure they are filled to the same P.S.I. The reason being is that with the single air supply set up, when cornering the outside shock compresses and the air is forced out into the tubing and into the inboard shock which is expanding as the vehicle starts to lean during cornering, which does not help in stability. One shock looses volume and the other gains volume. With a dual set up you elimate this and get more stability during cornering. You might not notice with stiff truck springs, unless you have a heavy load in the back like a camper, or a big pile of rocks. Just a thought.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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How common are "Trailer Specials"?
>Hey all, I have a 78 Bronco Ranger XLT that is a "Trailer
>Special", and was wondering how rare this package was? I
>know it has a bigger radiator and alternator, but what else?
>Any info is appreciated. Thanks. Don
>
>"Nothing lasts forever except natural stone and old Ford
>trucks." (Willie Nelson)
Hey Don,
I found a 78 Bronco brochure this weekend and it looks like the Bronco could be had with two Different trailer packages
(light or heavy Duty styles).Unforunately they don't describe the differences between the two.
[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]
[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=green]Do You Need To Decode Your 78 Truck Data Plate?
[/font
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/FordTruckCodes.html
[font color=red]If New Ford Parts Is What You're Cravin',
Then Buy Them HERE,At Motorhaven![/font]
[font color=green]Please Feel Free To Visit My Website.[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V [/font]
>Special", and was wondering how rare this package was? I
>know it has a bigger radiator and alternator, but what else?
>Any info is appreciated. Thanks. Don
>
>"Nothing lasts forever except natural stone and old Ford
>trucks." (Willie Nelson)
Hey Don,
I found a 78 Bronco brochure this weekend and it looks like the Bronco could be had with two Different trailer packages
(light or heavy Duty styles).Unforunately they don't describe the differences between the two.
[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]
[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=green]Do You Need To Decode Your 78 Truck Data Plate?
[/font
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/FordTruckCodes.html
[font color=red]If New Ford Parts Is What You're Cravin',
Then Buy Them HERE,At Motorhaven![/font]
[font color=green]Please Feel Free To Visit My Website.[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html
[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V [/font]