MPG
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Chevy 6.2- I find towing in OD to be completely stupid. It is dangerous. Possibly a unloaded car trailer on a low geared modern diesel. NEVER on the truck you mentioned. You are overworking the engine. You are loosing the advantage of compression braking. You have near zero ability to accelerate in an emergency. Wasting fuel. Ruining your tranny. Above all. Ford states to never tow in OD right in the manual. If I towed in any of my families vehicles. Auto or manual and they caught me in OD I would be in a geniuine world of s**t. That is just stupidly dangerous. You must like buying trannys.
On my F250 I never tow in 4th unless I'm pulling a lot (over 10K)- there's no reason to run the extra RPM- it's a waste of fuel
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 2
From: Wahpeton ND
I don't leave it in 5th gear towing that much weight, I'm just saying it still has enough torque to do it. But I don't see how its dangerous- even in 4th it won't accelerate or decelerate much quicker- if I need to stop fast I can drop it down to 3rd. On this truck 4th does work best I still don't have much acceleration.
On my F250 I never tow in 4th unless I'm pulling a lot (over 10K)- there's no reason to run the extra RPM- it's a waste of fuel
On my F250 I never tow in 4th unless I'm pulling a lot (over 10K)- there's no reason to run the extra RPM- it's a waste of fuel
1) Its Dangerous.
2)Its hard on the engine and trany.
3)Ford dont recomend it. Read the owners manual.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I don't see how it's hard on the engine. My god, ford put this engine in straight trucks rated for 20K GVW, you are NOT going to hurt a 300 six. The M5R2 transmission is somewhat weak, if I had a ZF trans I would definitely be running OD.
Ford under-rated these trucks quite a bit. I think my F250 is 8K or so. I don't see a problem hauling 14-15K with a 3/4 ton truck, they are able to do so just fine.
Fords rating is just a number in a book, this is a real world application.
Ford under-rated these trucks quite a bit. I think my F250 is 8K or so. I don't see a problem hauling 14-15K with a 3/4 ton truck, they are able to do so just fine.
Fords rating is just a number in a book, this is a real world application.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 2
From: Wahpeton ND
Im not saying your overloading it 10k on an F250 seems fine to me. The lack of gearing is what makes it dangerous. You have no torque amplification, no compression braking. I dont understand how you canot understand this. You can do what you want. Just please stay away from me when you do that.
A 20k truck would have a two speed rear and a grany low four or five speed tranny. A 150 horse engine can move that kinda load but it has to be geared right. If you dont want to listing to the engine whine all day you get a bigger engine.
A 20k truck would have a two speed rear and a grany low four or five speed tranny. A 150 horse engine can move that kinda load but it has to be geared right. If you dont want to listing to the engine whine all day you get a bigger engine.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
The lack of gearing is what makes it dangerous. You have no torque amplification, no compression braking
If you think my truck has no engine braking with a ZF 5spd and 3.55 gears, go try an automatic. Towing with dads '05 Chev 2500 6.0L gas V8 sucks because it's an automatic, and MAJORLY lacks low end torque. It doesn't slow down much when downshifting and a lot of times the computer won't let it shift down, this can become a dangerous situation going down a steep hill. I'd take a stick any day.
There are a few 60s chevy C50s running around here hauling scrap with 292 sixes and straight 4 speeds (no 2 spd) How the hell they get up to speed and slow down is beyond me. Most usually have a 4+2 or 5+2
I dont see how an engine with 110 HP and 4 gears can get 15K+ up to 55 MPH
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
I have an automatic and I engine brake no problem. I kick her out of OD which takes me into third, slow her down to 40 / 35, stick her in 2ND, take it on down below 10 and finally put her in first gear.
I have a badly warped rotor so I engine brake very often - the truck slows down much more smoothly.
Those Chevy 292's were good engines.
I have a badly warped rotor so I engine brake very often - the truck slows down much more smoothly.
Those Chevy 292's were good engines.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Autos do still engine brake, just not quite as well since it's not a direct connection.
The old 292s just run and run, most of em in straight trucks. I kinda want to put one in my '79 Chevy crew cab dually, but I think I mite stick with a 6.2 diesel. Although the six would be sweet
Did you know the 292 was even used in John Deere Combines?
The old 292s just run and run, most of em in straight trucks. I kinda want to put one in my '79 Chevy crew cab dually, but I think I mite stick with a 6.2 diesel. Although the six would be sweet
Did you know the 292 was even used in John Deere Combines?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 647
Likes: 3
From: Brumley, MO
You know I almost bet you a 292 or 300 would make better diesel motors than the 6.2. I looked at the power on the 6.2 it's only 143 HP at 3600 RPM, and 257 TQ at 2000 RPM. I bet a 292 with a small upgrades would totaly spank that 6.2, but the 6.2 sounds awesome with exhaust, closest I've ever heard a diesel sound to a gas V8.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: North Reading Mass
I was always a big fan of the "newer generation" Chevy inline. Like my current 300 they were easy to work on and out last the car. Years ago a buddy pulled his 250 from his 2wd 70? Blazer and we put in a 292. I justed helped with the install but I know he installed a 2GC 2bbl and after market intake and exhaust manifold. He ran a 2.75" exhaust with a resonator for a muffler. Deep tone but not real loud. I hope to duplicate it when I replace the exhaust this summer on my 95 300.
regards
rikard
Still pissed that he sold it to his brother instead of me.
regards
rikard
Still pissed that he sold it to his brother instead of me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 3
From: Halifx Pa
I just rebuilt by 300 in my 77 F150,2WD, C4, 290 something rear gears with 235/75/15 on stock rims, and I am getting 13.3 MPG. The rebuild is bone stock, nothing bored, stock one barrel carb, stock exhaust. I didn't build it for gas mileage, but wanted to remain as close to stock specs as possible. I was supprised, and thought it would have done a little better than 13.3 MPG.
IT has about 750 miles on it since the rebuild. I never had it on the road before so I don't know what it was getting before I got the truck.
PS: That is driving on state roads, 35 to 55MPH, and no interstate at all. I drove it gently, no hard off the line starts, or trompin it to the floor stuff. I am using 87 octane which contains 10 % ethanol.
PSII: Do you think this would improve with more break in miles?
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
yea i would think you would get at least 15. heck when i first got mine i was getting a bout 17 now the carb is junk im getting 12. and my truck is a 4x4 with 4xx gears and a granny low. somethings wrong i would contenue breaking her in and mess up the tuning like dist, carb
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 3
From: Halifx Pa
yea i would think you would get at least 15. heck when i first got mine i was getting a bout 17 now the carb is junk im getting 12. and my truck is a 4x4 with 4xx gears and a granny low. somethings wrong i would contenue breaking her in and mess up the tuning like dist, carb
I was looking to see 15 to 17 MPG, so we will se after a longer break in. I will also keep an eye on timing, ldle air/fuel mixture, tire pressure etc, etc, and see how it developes.
thanks for your thoughts!