Notices

towing with 460

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 20, 2006 | 03:58 PM
  #1  
ryan10's Avatar
ryan10
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
towing with 460

I am looking at an older work truck. I want a truck that i can tow a bobcat with, and that i can use to haul my 4 wheeling chevy. I want a 6.9 diesel, but i am not sure i can find one in my price range, 2000-2500 (im 16). I like the 85 f250 extended cabs. How would one of these be for work, and towing, and what are they getting for mileage? Also, could a 351 tow around this load ok?
 
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2006 | 12:14 AM
  #2  
airharley's Avatar
airharley
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,351
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
The 460 will be able to pull that load if the truck is set up for it. By that I mean in terms of suspension and rearend gearing. You will not get the same gas mileage as a diesel but you will have the TQ.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2006 | 08:21 AM
  #3  
ryan10's Avatar
ryan10
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
d

Ok, thanks what are you guys getting for mileage in say a 85? i want a stick, and a long bed. Would i be able to get around 12 without towing, and 8-9 towing? Also, what should i expect to pay for a f250 with a 460 around 1985. Could i be able to buy something decent for 3000?
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2006 | 08:15 PM
  #4  
WILDEBILL308's Avatar
WILDEBILL308
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth,Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by ryan10
Ok, thanks what are you guys getting for mileage in say a 85? i want a stick, and a long bed. Would i be able to get around 12 without towing, and 8-9 towing? Also, what should i expect to pay for a f250 with a 460 around 1985. Could i be able to buy something decent for 3000?
Ryan welcom to the forum.
You will have to do a little reserch on pricing. The price can varey dramaticley from area to area. I sugest you get on a web site like cars.com and do a serch in your price range and see what is out there. I think you can withe a little work get 12. I would look for a 5 speed and stay stay away frome the 4 weel drive trucks as they won't get as good milage. But if you need a 4 weel drive well you will have to live with the milage.
Good luck
Bill
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2006 | 08:19 PM
  #5  
mgraveman's Avatar
mgraveman
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
I just bought a 95 460 3/4 ton 4x4 with a flatbed for $2300. If I were you, I wouldn't even consider a carbureted model. Too much trouble.

The trick to deals is not to get too excited and not to fall in love. Keep all you options open, and find the one that someone can't sell. You'll find a good deal when you don't NEED it. When I was 16, I needed everything. Show up with cash, and don't act excited. Tell him "I just don't think it's worth nore than $xxxx to me." Start about 2/3 what he is asking, even if it's a steal. You can always offer more, but not go down.
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2006 | 09:17 PM
  #6  
big hoss 29's Avatar
big hoss 29
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
mgraveman has some very good advice so don't ignore it.

On that note, I have an 86 F-250HD 4x4 with a 4 speed and a 460 and unloaded it get 8-9 mpg's. Towing a boat, it get around 7 mpg's, and when I moved from Reno to Billings, (around 1000 miles), while towing my 1972 Pontiac 3 years ago it got a whopping 6 mpg's. The point is, the heavier the load and the more your foot is into the gas pedal, the more your mileage drops, (obviously).
 
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2006 | 09:56 PM
  #7  
Bear 45/70's Avatar
Bear 45/70
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
I'm running an '84 F250 Supercab, Superduty (heavy 3/4 ton or a light 1 ton, however you want to look at it) 460 with C-6 and 4.10 rearend. Stock it got 7.5 empty and 6 loaded. Now with 3" exhaust, recurved distributor and a real Holley carb (junk the 4180, the carb swap was worth 1 mph by itself) I'm getting 9.5 mpg empty and 7.5 loaded. FYI, loaded is with a 13' 10" Camper weighing close to 4400 lbs ready to roll and towing either the quad trailer (dual axle and carries up to 6 quads) or the boat trailer. The mileage probably would be better, but I drive a bit aggressively.
 
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2006 | 01:31 PM
  #8  
mgraveman's Avatar
mgraveman
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
FYI - I get 9-11 in my 460. It's EFI, and all of it is cutting firewood, pulling a small trailer - or taking my mower around, ect. I have a new truck that I drive on trips, and with big trailers, etc.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 11, 2006 | 09:31 PM
  #9  
firewoodtruck's Avatar
firewoodtruck
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
When i was 16, I had a job working for a local moving outfit. They had a Ford 700 or? with a 460, 5 speed. Strong enough to pull a loaded 40'van. It got a whopping 3 mpg + it was s l o w. Either engine will work. If it was me, I'd go the diesel route. If there is any distance to your jobs the more mpg's becomes very important. + the diesel can be hopped up as you can afford it to improve perf.. (turbo, exhaust, etc.) My 2001 250 4 by with a 6.9 got 17 mpg towing my 8000 lb 4by + I smoked those gassers up hills.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2006 | 09:58 PM
  #10  
Sycostang67's Avatar
Sycostang67
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
I paid $1900 for my 85 F-250HD with 109k miles at the time. I think they were having trouble selling it due to the rust and body damage. I drove all over town looking for this style of truck, and the only other one was a diesel that was going for $5-6k and I only had $2500 to spend. I would have preferred a diesel, but the 460 has not let me down yet. After the swap to 4:10 gears, I was getting 10mpg empty, but I keep adding weight with the bumper, tool box, wheels/tires, etc. that I get about 8mpg empty and 7 loaded. I have had a GCWR of about 13k and still get up to speed without any problem. I am currently toying with the idea of a diesel swap or a performance buildup of the 460 when it dies.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
t. Haslo
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
8
Jul 26, 2011 10:00 AM
silentrunning
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Feb 28, 2010 03:00 PM
aquaholic
All Things Towing
22
Mar 21, 2007 05:29 PM
Piercepierce69
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
2
Feb 9, 2004 12:08 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:08 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE