Help Im New!!
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New User
Joined: Dec 2007
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Help Im New!!
Hey I just picked up a 1996 Ford F150 XL with a 5 Speed Manual Transmission and a full plow setup. . .Can anyone tell me if this is a good plow truck. I know the horsepower on the 4.9l motor is a little weak but i need some input. Its god about 85,000 miles and I was told there was some front end work done like the ujoints and idk wt else. Thanks guys
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Oh sure it should push snow and do a fine job of it, plowing snow with a manual trans is workout in of itself though. Not to many people like to do it with one. A lot less work plowing with a auto trans but the manual will probably last much longer doing so. Don't need to worry about the fluid overheating and what not. Like me I have a trans temp gauge and two large fluid coolers in front of the radiator keeping things cold.
I had one manual trans plow truck years ago, your arms, hands and legs will be busy that's for sure.
One nice thing, you won't need the heat on!
I had one manual trans plow truck years ago, your arms, hands and legs will be busy that's for sure.
One nice thing, you won't need the heat on!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
That's a solid plow truck, it will need some extra support in the front end to carry the weight of the plow, otherwise it'll eat tires and ball joints. Look at adding airbags if it doesn't already have them.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Originally Posted by dixokai
For that kind of work I would take the 4.9 over the 5.0 any day. Hek I would take the 4.9 over the 5.0 period.
Anyways, yeah, the 4.9 will push or pull anything you hook to it, as long as you have traction. As would a 5.0 or 5.8. But, the 4.9 can do it all, too. 4" bore x 4" stroke. A good, torquey engine.
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Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
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From: Southeast Idaho
If you look I think I said "I would" I don't believe that would need "backings". That would suggest opinion, and that's what it is...... I've owned a couple of both and that's my opinion. I knew that was gonna ruffle some feathers.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,757
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From: Florida
I have a 5.0 right now and I love it...but a few years back I had an 81 f-100 with a 4.9 and a 3spd OD.....it outpulled a 2001 f-150 with a POS 4.2......the 6 has alot of good pulling and pushing torque...but that's what it's made for (hence the reason Ford got smart and put em in heavy duty truck IE F-250's) the 5.0 is a middle of the road thing...power and torque.......kinda like a thread comparing mustang intakes and truck intakes...they all have a purpose and they are not the same.There's you some backing.
JR
JR
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
Its a good plow truck . I used the 5spd for years . all my plow truck r manual. Check rear gearing . Most 300-6 in snow belt have the 3:08 rears why I dont know. I will say the clutches hold up better with 3:55 rears good luck