whats the most i can equip my 78' f-150 to tow??
it has a 400, automatic, 9in. rear, dana 44 up front, 4.10 gears, 203 t-case

 

If I remember right, my owners manual says somewhere around 8 or 9K towed weight.

If you want exact numbers, I will look it up.

As to what it WILL pull, just about anything you put behind it. Just keep braking needs and safety in mind!

 

Get a brake controller, they are MUCH needed accessories!

 

no data to back up my opinion, but I'd stay under 7k (8K MAX) if I were you.. Pickupmanx is right- you need all the brake contoller you can afford- it's not what your truck can tow; it'll pull a house, it's what you can control/stop safely..

 

but whats the most i can tow without damaging my driveline

 

how much can that ford 9in actualy take?

 

I think the tranny would be the weak link not the rear end.

 

The drive train will tow much more than the brakes will stand.
This is a question that has a dozen unknown factors.
For example; depends greatly on the condition and wear of the drive train and brakes.
Are you towing just a few miles once or twice a year or towing 30,000 mile a year, makes a big difference.
Is your towing going to be mostly on level roads or is there some steep inclines or mountain routes.
What will be your max cruising speed. Generally the lower the speed the more you can tow.
Are you towing a trailer (half the equation) that has brakes ,the towing ability will depend greatly on what type of brakes they are and how good they work.
Do you have an transmission cooler
Do you have an engine oil cooler.
There is a huge difference in the long term towing ability of a 3:54 ratio and a 4:11 ratio axle.
Are you loading the bed too. If you tow near max. you need some bed weight or better yet, a weight distribution hitch, to prevent jackknifing especially in wet weather.
The weakest part of a nine inch when towing is the outer bearings. They usually wear out first.
Don't forget the load rating of your tires. At max loads you need a higher load rating.
Use synthetic axle fluids.
Use the largest radiator possible with a shroud.
Hope this helps but we need more information.

 

I dug out my 78 owners manual, and along with what these guys said, the chart breaks it down this way;
Class I hitch- up to 2000 lbs- w/351 V8/Cruiseomatic, 3.00 Axle ratio, 10-15% of trailer weight or 200lbs max for tongue load, light duty trailer tow pkg and a weight carrying trailer hitch.
Class II hitch- 2000-3500 lbs- w/351/Cruiseomatic,3.00 Axle ratio, 10-15% of trailer weight tongue load, super cooling radiator, heavy duty trailer tow pkg, weight distributing hitch.
Class III hitch- 3500-6000 lbs- w/351/Cruiseomatic,3.50 Axle ratio,10-15% of trailer weight tongue load (800lbs max), super cooling radiator, heavy duty trailer tow pkg, weight distributing hitch.
It also lists the GCWR and GVWR's per the wheelbases and weights towed. Hope this helps, it's straight out of the owners manual.

 

-i dont tow often
-live in central pa
-truck has 28,000 miles/8yrs. on full frame off resto
-33inch super swamper TSL Radials (have super high rating)
-i have had 6000 pounds in the bed and it did fine
-has a transcooler

i just wanna know how much i can hook to before things start to twist and snap....Thanks for your help!!!!

 

I guess no one understands your question how much can you tow on a trailer or how much will it take to break your truck ? Safely your can only tow as much as you can stop. You can pull as much as traction will allow. f-150's have small brakes compared to a f-250. A 400/c6/4,10's in either will pull the same amount. but the braking power is higher with the f-250.