Let me try this a second time... Hello everyone! I am new to this forum, but not new to forums. I hope you all will embrace me with loving and wide open arms. Thanks for any future sarcasm and cheap shots on that one. Anyway, I have an in depth question for you adept folks here at this board. I have a 1968 Mustang Fastback Eleanor Clone that my Father and I have built which just wrapped in April earlier this year. Here and lies my question... I want to haul this car in an enclosed car hauler (tandem axle, electric brakes, all the good stuff,etc.) with a length of 28' and weighing in at about 4500lbs. The car itself weighs no more than 2800lbs. I am really set on wanting to pull this thing, which is going to weigh no more 8500lbs., with a 55'ish F100 truck. Is this possible??? I understand that modifications are going to need to be made to the 55'ish F100, but what kind? Engine size? Tranny and gear ratio? Wheels? Suspension? I already have planned on getting disc brakes all the way around. I am really "set" on the 50's F100 body style. Can a 50's style F100 even pull the 8500lbs. of weight safely? I really appreciate you input here fella's and ladies-if any. I thank you all in advance. Let the smart *** comments begin...http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s18/EleanorRegistry/Dave%20Sanborn/?action=view&current=goofy026.jpg

 

Hello all;
I kind of like the idea. I have the same kind of thoughts off and on. If you are going to be driving significant distances regularly with the trailer then there are multiple upgrades you are going to want. You are going to want to upgrade power, brakes and suspension. If you are not traveling very far then the list can be shortened. For longer distances, I would look at the heavy duty 1/2 ton or light 3/4 ton trucks out of the 80's and 90's as parts donors. Newer trucks are not that much more technologically advanced and are much harder / more expensive to come by. Older than that and you start to lose some advances that we take for granted now. A sheet metal transplant may be a good option. Old body on a newer running gear. This would be a little more work up front but maintance and repairs down the road (and on the side of the road) would be simpler if all "borrowed" components were off the same model.

 

Welcome to the forum. I'll hold the sarcasm for a later date.
For that kind of weight make sure the trailer is balanced properly when loaded, but I think your biggest obstacle on power/fuel economy will be drag. You will need to beef up the suspension but since we don't know if your talking about an actual 50ish truck, or one that just looks like one I don't know what to recommend since you can't just add a leaf to rear springs. I used to run air shocks in a 64 but the air bags available today might be better. You're already upgrading to disc brakes, so that means your putting in power brakes so you have something to hook the brake controller to. As far as the rear end, that will depend on the motor and transmission. If you go with an old straight 6 with the 3 speed you can probably get away with something just under 4.0:1 If you decide to go with a small to midsize V8 then I'd jump up to 4.11 gears in the rear end to help fight wind resistance.

 

Years ago I built a '51 F100. Installed a 428CJ with C6 Auto. I used a Ford 9" rear. With "stock" leaf springs, I hauled 4 horse trailers, and flat deck utility trailers (approx 10k).

Truck handled fine, but it could have benefited from disc brakes. Air bags would have been nice also.

If I were to do it again, I would seriously look at dropping the body I wanted onto a late model frame (even if I had to shorten the frame). That way you get better brakes, suspension, steering, larger fuel tank (usually) and depending on engine and trans already in the frame, you might get more fuel efficient power and reliability.

Parts are easier to come by for later model trucks.

I like your idea of the older body style truck for pulling. You have so many options available. It boils down to preference and time/money.

Good luck

 

i say idi diesel conversion in the 50ish ford truck that would be cool

 

get a 50's truck and bag it

 

I think the biggest problem is the truck handling a trailer that big, the weight isn't as big a problem as the overall size, when you get into some wind with a trailer that much bigger than the truck the trailer will dictate where the truck goes, it won't matter what engine is in it. Maybe you don't get wind wherever you are, but here I see more idiots towing huge trailers with half ton trucks and SUV's and then they wonder what happened when they got blown off the road.