New guy to trucks
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New User
Joined: Apr 2008
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New guy to trucks
Hi. My name is Bill. I just pruchased a 78 f150 ranger xlt 2wd with a little over 102,000 miles. I have a couple questions about it. First my truck is rated as a 3/4 ton truck. I thought f250 trucks were 3/4 ton. Secondly the edelbrock intake says 400 2v on it, but was told it had a 351m in it. I'm assuming the motors are basically the same, but maybe someone can school me on this. Thirdly it seems to wander when I'm driving down the road. When I have it parked in my driveway and turn the steering wheel the wheels move as soon as I turn the steering wheel. I was thinking maybe tie rod ends or something of that nature. Last question I promise where's a good place to buy factory/performance parts for these trucks.
Thanks in advance
Bill
Thanks in advance
Bill
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
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the 150 supplanted the 100 as the designated half-tonner....you could maybe call it a heavy half, and of course the springs can be upgraded for more capacity...the 250 is the 3/4....the 351m and 400 motors are externally identical, thus an air intake or other external part could easily be swapped over from the other....wondering about 'edelbrock intake'; that would indicate aftermarket parts....you have done a valid check looking for steering play; alignment or suspension wear can also cause 'wandering' ....these trucks ae perhaps the most common vehicles out there, and there ae vendors galore for both factory and aftermarket parts
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,186
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From: St. Charles, Missouri.
My ford does that check out my thread on it!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-question.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-question.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,465
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From: Calgary Canada
Welcome Bill! There are a bunch of really smart folks around here and they will be along shortly.
Do you have all the info from the rating plate inside your drivers door? That might help us out as it has a lot of info coded in there.
Do you have all the info from the rating plate inside your drivers door? That might help us out as it has a lot of info coded in there.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 868
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From: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Welcome aboard Bill, As far as your steering question goes, Ford has always had and been picked on for over geared steering. They steer really easy, too easy , and this gives the sensation of loose or worn steering. This goes for the ford cars of that era also. There is a way to tighten the feel up but is not recommended and could be unsafe so I'll keep that to myself. Sounds as though you have a nice project truck to play with, if you have anymore question feel free to ask , somebody here willl get you the right ansewer.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
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There is away to check steering looseness at the steering wheel.
It requires a torque wrench.
Most wandering steering is caused by front end parts.
Drag link and tie-rods,Trac-arm bushings,worn out shocks,weak springs,loose nuts or bolts,bad idler arm bushing.
Put it on hoist and inspect the components first
It requires a torque wrench.
Most wandering steering is caused by front end parts.
Drag link and tie-rods,Trac-arm bushings,worn out shocks,weak springs,loose nuts or bolts,bad idler arm bushing.
Put it on hoist and inspect the components first
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 189
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From: Lake Havasu, AZ
Thats a nice looking truck you got there Bill. Looks like a nice body and paint. Can you get us some pics of the inside to look at?
Couple things that others might answer, I thought that only the base model customs had round head lights, if its a 78 f150 ranger xlt wouldn't have square ones. Maybe its a 77.5 Titled as a 78?
Couple things that others might answer, I thought that only the base model customs had round head lights, if its a 78 f150 ranger xlt wouldn't have square ones. Maybe its a 77.5 Titled as a 78?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Van Isl, BC, Canada
That's a very nice truck! And welcome to the club. As far as your engine goes, the 400M just has a longer stroke (4") than a 351M (3 1/2") giving it that extra 49 ci's, and a bit of a boost in power. Otherwise they are the same engine. The Edelbrock carb could be thrown on either engine.