Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

New toy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 9, 2007 | 12:12 AM
  #1  
Wild Karrde's Avatar
Wild Karrde
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Quad Cities, IA
New toy

Just bought an '89 F-250 XLT Lariat 4x4 today. It's got a 460 with a 5 speed manual transmission. Body is pretty rusty, but fairly straight. I figure $550 for a running big-block manual trans truck was a worthy investment, even if it winds up just being a play toy for off-roading with. Surprisingly, it actually runs a lot better than my '85 F-150, and gets almost the same highway mileage... The fuel injection probably helps quite a bit with that.

I'm trying to find information as to which transmissions were available in this model truck, but the only things I've found were either a T-5 or a ZF.

It's got an almost granny gear first, but has an overdrive 5th. I usually start off in 2nd, but the 1st gear doesn't feel near as strong as some granny lows I've seen.

This thing has MASSIVE power, though... I don't think I've ever had a truck with that much kick to it before. Though, to be fair, I've never owned a big-block equipped vehicle before. This thing feels like it could pull my house down the road!

If anyone could help me figure out which one it is, I'd be very happy.
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2007 | 01:42 AM
  #2  
Wild Karrde's Avatar
Wild Karrde
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Quad Cities, IA
The door tag listing what's on my truck is almost completely gone, but from the shape of the transmission, I think it's the ZF. I've heard these are pretty good, and are fairly expensive to buy if you need one. Does anyone know how else to tell which transmission this is?
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2007 | 01:59 AM
  #3  
grizz3000's Avatar
grizz3000
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: SE of Bennett Colorado
my 89 F250 460/7.5 has a C6 Auto
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 02:48 AM
  #4  
Louisianaforddriver's Avatar
Louisianaforddriver
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Wilde what kind of milaege you get? I know my trucks Gas mileage sucks, and i have the same kind of truck. But I wouldnt trade her for the World!
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 06:51 AM
  #5  
Wild Karrde's Avatar
Wild Karrde
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Quad Cities, IA
Originally Posted by 16f-100luvr
Wilde what kind of milaege you get? I know my trucks Gas mileage sucks, and i have the same kind of truck. But I wouldnt trade her for the World!
Well, my '85 gets roughly 11-13 (depending on driving conditions), but it needs a little fuel system and ignition work. The '89 actually gets almost the exact same mileage from what I've seen for myself, but part of that may be due to my driving style. I drive VERY conservatively, especially with manual transmissions, and I can squeeze an additional 3-5mpg out of a vehicle that way.

After I get a tune-up done on the '89, we'll see if it gets better.
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2007 | 12:57 AM
  #6  
Louisianaforddriver's Avatar
Louisianaforddriver
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Thats very nice milaege especially for a 460!
 
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2007 | 02:21 AM
  #7  
Wild Karrde's Avatar
Wild Karrde
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Quad Cities, IA
Something I've noticed in vehicles I've rebuilt in the past, if you have a really strong engine (yes, even large ones) and it's kept in good running condition, and the rest of your driveline is kept maintained well, you can get good mileage mostly due to the fact that the extra power produced by the engine moves the weight of the vehicle easier.

My '72 K-5 Blazer had a 350 4-bolt that I built originally for my IROC-Z, and that was pushing near 400hp on mid grade fuel. I got almost 20mpg out of that old heavy 4x4 beast, mostly because I didn't have to give it much pedal to get it moving.

Granted, if you drive "fast and furious" you'll start watching your fuel mileage drop drastically in the larger/stronger engines, but as long as you keep your foot light you can get reasonable mpg out of anything. I've known people with 300-I6 engines and overdrive manual transmissions get 8mpg, just because they couldn't keep their foot out of the accelerator.
 
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 01:06 AM
  #8  
mrscsi999's Avatar
mrscsi999
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I had a 89 xlt 4x4 460, AT and 5:60 friggin gears

Could pass or pull anything but just not past a gas station. I recently traded it for a 92 f-350 dually with a 460 AT and us gear overdrive and with the overdrive off it is also 5:60 and runs 2500 rpm at 55 with the overdrive 1700 at 55 and on a drive today I could tell it was getting about 15 mpg
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Brett Foote
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hatesfury0
New Member Introductions
2
Jul 11, 2014 01:44 PM
GB SISSON
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
5
Feb 12, 2013 12:00 AM
David85
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
7
Oct 15, 2010 03:15 PM
atomicjoe23
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jul 3, 2009 12:32 PM
77bigblock
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Dec 20, 2005 05:37 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:20 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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 | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
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-9
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