New member to this chapter and my understanding is that around these chapters you just like to shoot s**t, so I just thought I would share my exciting day today.

So I had my first towing experience today, and it was a pretty crazy. My mom's friend needed to transport a bunch of heavy stuff from his old house to his new house (which is near ours). So we hooked up his 2000# trailer and headed out on the 2 hour trip. We got there and loaded the trailer with a 1000# welding table (had a 4'x3' by 1" thick solid steel plate top on it, WHOA!), about 1000# worth of wheels/tires, and other miscelleneous shelves and things. Plus I had around 500# of stuff in the bed of the truck. Ended up pulling around 4000-5000 lbs with another 500 in the bed. My 5.8L pulled it real well but I was worried about my tranny overheating with my little stock cooler, but she did okay too. I was very impressed with the way my little F150 handled this heavy load. There was one really steep grade that I hit at 68mph and reached the top at 67mph, wooo!

On a side note, I took the camper shell off for the first time!! The truck looked awesome. Also she turned 100k on the way back. I'm now officially part of the 6 digit club Here's some pics:







-Chris

 

Welcome aboard - glad to have new members!

That is a good looking truck, and 4wd to boot. Sounds like a sweet rig. I just wish you had delivered the welding table to my house.

My dad taught us boys that it was better to tow a heavy load than to carry one. Therefor most of the trucks and vans I have owned have been 150s, with sturdy hitches. I just do not like the heavy feeling you get when you drive a F250.

We have a 4wd project going on, do you know anything about mud bogs?

Clint

 

Thanks Clint. Yeah she's a great truck and she did well with the haul, I was a little nervous but she proved herself in the end. And I know what you mean about the heavyness of the F250s, my brother drives a 97 F250 PSD and he has trouble stopping at stoplights even WITHOUT a load; way too much truck for me.

As for mudding - not so much experience there. I've only had this truck (my first 4x4) for about 9 months and I haven't had a chance to get her into the mud. I'm also a little afraid there because shes so long I don't wanna high center her on something, or just apply to much torque to the frame in the middle and crack something. Mind elaborating a little on your 4x4 project?

EDIT: In case you didn't notice, I'm a bit of a worry wart when it comes to my truck. I spend WAY too much time taking care of her to go and break something, haha. I need to cut that out

-Chris

 

We have a chapter project going on - we are building a truck that will out 4wd the wimps in the Nevada chapter that live near Las Vegas. Our challange to them was two trails - one we choose, one they choose.

Our truck is a 72 F250 with a 460/C6, married transfer case, 4:10 gears and 33" tires. Our expert told us that it should spin it's tires on dry pavement "at will." Everybody on the drive team gets to drive it, and we will pick the fastest to race it.

You can do a search of this forum for "project" and find lots of discussion about it - -

to get you started, try:


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...humperroo.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ect-truck.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ld-thread.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...uspension.html

Come join us - the engine is being built at Oakdale (east of you a ways), the suspension is being built up at Clear Lake, (just north of you).

 

Wow, that stuff is way over my head. I'd be willing to lend my arms and legs but I can't say that I can offer very much advice for building engines and suspension. I'm still relatively new to working on trucks (just started when I got this truck 9 months ago). Looks like an awesome project though. Be sure to let me know when the race will take place so I can try and make it. Thanks Clint.

-Chris

 

Welcome aboard Chis!
Don't be afraid to show up to help with the project truck. Some pretty fart smellers there to learn from for sure. You'd be sure to at least leave with some great knowledge on how to work on trucks, and think outside of the box, if you know what I mean. If all you can do is wrench on her, with a little guidance, you would be great help for sure.
I wish I could show for more of the garage events. I am pretty far away, so it is a challenge to make it to them.

Nice pics of your truck! I'm kinda partial to F250s but I love anything with a blue oval and tailgate.

See ya on the Chapter Forums, and maybe one of these days at a chapter event.

Cheers, Tim

 

Where else you going to get such training and experience? Even if you don't want to do your own work, just knowing how the pieces go together can save you from an unscrupulous mechanic.

Also, if you go 4 wheeling you need to know enough to be able to limp home . . . Tow jobs off road are very expensive when they are available at all.

And don't worry about things being over your head - we will not let Dan lift the truck that far. Seriously, we all are in a bit over our heads - it is a learning experience.

Clint

 

Welcome to the forum. This is the place to be for Ford information. And that is one nice truck you have there. My F-250 has been very reliable so far. I too would have preferred a 150, however, the price was too good to pass up. It is 9k away from the 300k miles club, and still going strong.

 

FTE must have eaten my reply from yesterday

Welcome!

I followed your link, yes a good quality, heavy duty winch will cost some bucks, but worth every dollar if you need it...but, I also saw mention of you maybe wanting to put a toolbox in the "hole" of the bumper.

Get me the measurements of the opening, I may have something in Al. diamond plate that will work for you.

As far as the tow...you'll get used to it and pretty soon you won't realize you have 4-5K behind you.

 

Wow Mike that would be awesome. I'll take some measurements as soon as I get dressed here.

-Chris

 

So it looks like 27.5" wide, by 8" tall, by 11" deep. Whatcha got Mike?

-Chris

 

Lemme go take a look.

 

What'd you come up with buddy?

 

Well, I found the lid of one, but it's 32 inches wide. The box has to be around somewhere...ask around, I'm not real organized out back

The other one I found is bigger than I though as well, it's 17x24 and about 24 inches tall in the rear, then the lid slopes down in front at a 45* angle.

 

Nice tow story Chris. The only way that day would have ended better is if you had to stop and give lift to somebody when their chebbie truck broke down. Welcome aboard, Jag